The Vinyl Thread

[Sphinx]

Sorry, I've only just made this thread. This is a place to post about new records, reviews of records, questions if you're curious about vinyl and new sound systems amongst other things. I'm very much a novice when it comes to this, so I'm keen to learn a few things.

 

I've wanted to start a record collection for a few years now. I loved vinyl as a kid and realise that what I'm harking for is partly attached in nostalgia. Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds in particular stands out to me. It used to scare me, but I loved the cosiness of having the lights dimmed, TV off, fireplace lit, with my dad and the crackle of the fire and vinyl. It's an experience I want to relive again and share with others. I like that it makes putting an album on seem like more of an occasion when music is so accessible these days. Another one that stands out is In The Court of the Crimson King by King Crimson, probably mainly because the cover used to scare me as a kid. Great album though.

 

Apologies if I sound like some a pretentious knob.

 

Now to get my query out of the way -

Today I woke up to the postman delivering my John Coltrane LP, A Love Supreme (2012 reissue through Analog Productions - 200g). I've never listened to the album, but want to become better acquainted with jazz music and know that this is supposed to be a masterpiece. What is perhaps ridiculous is that I now have four records and no turntable or speakers. It was a bit of an impulse buy as I didn't want it to go out of stock and I had some money freed up.

 

On that note, I'm looking for a turntable and sound system. Realistically, what budget should I set for myself? I was originally thinking of floor-standing speakers, mainly because of the (very likely to be naive) notion that bookshelf speakers wouldn't be worth getting and are mainly of use for space saving. I'm after something that packs some bass and that 'warm' sound that I remember from vinyl as a kid. I think I'll need a pre-amp as well, won't I? I'm starting from scratch here.

 

Any help is appreciated.

[EdgarTheSlouch]

I've just re=started a vinyl collection myself. Id rather have plenty of vinyl rather than an amazing sound system straightaway. To begin I've just bought myself one of those cheap ones off Ebay with speakers built in

[Merzbow]

I've just re=started a vinyl collection myself. Id rather have plenty of vinyl rather than an amazing sound system straightaway. To begin I've just bought myself one of those cheap ones off Ebay with speakers built in

 

That's pretty much what i've done, i don't have enough LP's to justify spending huge wads of cash on a nice system yet. I'm gutted that i sold my original collection off but I've ended up finding some nice vinyl on the cheap these past few months, mainly shoegazey/brit-pop LP's and EP's.

[EdgarTheSlouch]

Ive been doing the same just with punk rock and a little bit of 90s alternative

[Philo_Vance]

A vinyl thread!

 

I've been collecting records on and off since I was a kid. My old man took me out to buy my first record (Status Quo live at the NEC '85') in 1986 sometime, when I was five. Tapes (and even CDs, just about) were out then, obviously but my parents still bought most stuff on vinyl, being a bit behind the times. As I got older I migrated to tapes and then CDs, but came back to collecting vinyl as a teen when I got into the punk/ska scene. Since then I've been a bit on/off with it but a decent collection is building now. I actually tend to buy more new vinyl than anything. Most of the bands I really love put stuff out on vinyl still, and the majority come with a download code, so it's the best of both worlds. I was actually without a record player for a few months earlier this year and it was horrendous. I was still going out and buying records but couldn't listen to them. Luckily a friend knew of someone who was upgrading, so I got a full Technics separates system for a tenner. It sounds incredible and my neighbours must fucking HATE me.

 

As for the passion for vinyl, I think it's something you either just 'get' or you don't. For every friend I've got who'd want to hunt around record stores and have a lovely artefact to own, which as a bonus sounds far better (although that argument could probably derail this thread) there's a dozen who'd rather just download the music. And I understand that- the music itself has to be the most important thing, and if you own it, you own it, But I'd much rather own it in a physical format so I have something to look at. And a vinyl record gives so much more space and potential for lovely artwork and presentation. And this is before we even get to the possibilities for clear/coloured/splatter/swirl vinyl (expect a self-fellating photo-heavy post from me later).

 

Also, listening to a record is a far more active way of listening to music. I've ALWAYS got music on in some capacity, whether it's Mp3s, Spotify or CDs, but I do tend to just stick on whatever as background noise. If I actually want to sit down and really enjoy a record it's almost always vinyl. There's something in the process of slipping a record out of its sleeve, putting the needle on, that sets me up to really listen to something rather than just having it on while I'm doing something else. I think albums have changed since vinyl as well, insofar as artists used to have to put more thought into sequencing. An album used to be a work of two halves, with side 2 needing a strong opening as well, and that seems to be a lost art.

 

Anyway, enough of my pre-coffee ramblings, I'm off to put a record on. Hope this thread gathers a lot of interest, it could be a really good place to chat about this stuff for those of us so inclined.

 

Edit: Sphinx- have a look at What HiFi's reviews section where you can search by price. Even their recommended budget turntables are around the

[Sphinx]

Also, listening to a record is a far more active way of listening to music. I've ALWAYS got music on in some capacity, whether it's Mp3s, Spotify or CDs, but I do tend to just stick on whatever as background noise. If I actually want to sit down and really enjoy a record it's almost always vinyl. There's something in the process of slipping a record out of its sleeve, putting the needle on, that sets me up to really listen to something rather than just having it on while I'm doing something else. I think albums have changed since vinyl as well, insofar as artists used to have to put more thought into sequencing. An album used to be a work of two halves, with side 2 needing a strong opening as well, and that seems to be a lost art.

 

Yes! I'm looking forward to listening to the record I bought whereas I could easily just listen to it on Deezer on my phone whilst doing things. But music is even better for me when I can link it to where I heard it and what I was doing at the time. It's one thing saying I was listening to an album for the first time playing FIFA, and it's another to have played it over a bottle of wine with friends over. My first time hearing Blue by Joni Mitchell was, after having torrented it and put it on my iPod, giving the first song a listen to get a feel for it and check if the download was right before going to bed. I couldn't turn it off as it was so brilliant. I went back to listen to a few of the songs afterwards and ended up listening to it as soon as I woke up whilst making breakfast.

 

There are some albums where despite me not hearing the vinyl version, I can tell where the next side would start. On OK Computer, Karma Police would be the end of side one. Electioneering sounds like the next side (with a quick look, I forgot about Fitter Happier - that'll be the start). In Abbey Road, I Want You (She's So Heavy) is the end of side one.

 

I've ordered Pink Moon by Nick Drake as I imagine he'd sound great on vinyl. His albums are being reissued in a reverse chronological order with Bryter Layter coming out layter...sorry, later this month. If you've never heard him, do yourself a favour and give him a go. His records sold poorly in the 60s and 70s, but one of his songs was used for a car advert in the 90s and it sparked an interest in him. I'd suggest listening in chronological order and reading his back story.

 

I'm also after Channel Orange by Frank Ocean, but an official LP hasn't been released yet.

[Chest Rockwell]

I forget how old I was when my dad took me to buy my first record, but I can remember what it was and I still have it - it was the Batman soundtrack by Prince. I gotta be honest, my sister's selection of the Kylie Minogue album probably got more spins at the time.

 

My folks had a pretty limited collection but I remember the records I used to play the most were Bob Marley - Legend, the Good Morning Vietnam soundtrack, and some pop rock compilation advertising chewing gum.

 

My purchases from then on were mostly tapes and CDs though, when I started really "getting into" music. A lot of my music tastes were shaped by my brother and the tapes he would bring home from school and I was heavily into rock and metal in my teens.

 

I had liked a bit of hip hop before, but when I went off to Uni I really got in to it. At the same time I went splits with my housemates on buying some decks, and got into buying records and dj'ing. I was mostly buying hip hop and breaks, and stupid novelty records, inspired by Shadow and Cut Chemist and the rest of the turntablist movement at the time. I was in Reading at the time and there were a few alright record shops about.

 

I moved back to Croydon after Uni and bought out the other guys' share of the decks. I got a job in Croydon and used to go to Beanos at least twice a week. It's closed down now, but it used to be the biggest second hand record store I think in the country. I was buying mostly hip hop at that time, but a bit of other stuff too for sampling, because I had started making some tunes also.

 

In recent years, since Serato came along and I got that, I have stopped buying hip hop on record.* I mostly buy jazz, but also soul, funk, blues and soundtracks/scores.

 

I've got a decent selection of reggae too, but I don't know much about that genre on the whole. Although I've liked Fela Kuti for years, last year I really got digging into the whole afrobeat and African funk/psych rock scene, mostly stuff from the 70s. I've not got loads of it on record as it's mostly mad rare and expensive but that part of my collection is slowly growing.

 

 

* Edit - actually, that's not quite true. I'll still buy old gems that I find. I don't bother buying any new music on record though, or even stuff that's a really recent repress that's had some digital remastering or whatever. It's the old shit that was recorded analogue that I want to listen to on record!

 

It just seems the more recently recorded stuff doesn't have that same magic on record.. I don't know if anyone else feels this way?

[Chest Rockwell]

Oh.. This is something good for this thread!

 

When I was bored the other week in work I started making a google map of record shops, mostly ones I've been to and a few that I want to go to. At the moment it's mostly just ones in London and Surrey, and a few in Amsterdam.

 

Record Store map

 

If anyone would like to help build it up more that would be great! I don't care where the record stores are; unless they're shit, the more the better really! My comments on each one so far are probably not the most helpful or useful but if you can do better than me that would be good.

 

Only one rule really is that I don't want any dance music specialists on there. Please PM me your email address if you want to contribute and I'll send you an invite!

[Scott Malbranque]

All my trance and house are on vinyl, and I pretty much have everything Mike Patton has ever released on vinyl also. (Just waiting on my Place Beyond The Pines vinyl score to come in the post)

When I DJ at 'raves' or anything, I'm old school in the sense that I use turntables and vinyl, and think CD and Virtual DJ'ing is for useless cunts.

[Philo_Vance]

I kind of know where you're going with that, Chest, but I'd still rather buy a new record on vinyl than on CD. Some of the artists I love (Dirtbombs, Billy Childish, Holly Golightly, for example) still record stuff in a more old-fashioned way so you get that warmth. And those that don't, it still sounds just as good as a CD or Mp

[Big Bully Busick]

Having been a DJ since around 96(first time i got paid for it )i have over 3000 pieces of vinyl

Havent really brought too much since 2001/2 as i started using CDJs(i know i know but in order to get work i had to have my own or unreleased tracks)

How i miss my weekends where i would spend most of the day sitting in record shops all over London.

 

Sadly most Record stores started dying out(DnB/Hardcore ect)from 2000 onwards

But even though i was starting to use CDs i still loved vinyl to the point where i started up a small label

Lost a load of money at times but still my passion kept me going(that and cheap rent at the time)

 

The other half hints to me all the time about selling them off but i think id kick her out before i did that.

 

I still go on Discogs every week looking for bargains to buy

 

Awesome thread

[Chest Rockwell]

Just threw this on with a bit of reading before bed right now -

 

 

First time listening to it since I bought it. Damn it's great!

 

I've got a decent amp and speakers so usually just blast shit out... but also some really good quality headphones. Does anyone else like to pump tunes on headphones sometimes? It's a significantly different way to experience the same music.

 

I've ended up doing what I always do, and that's picking up a book to read and then getting so absorbed in the music my thumb is still in the same page I opened it on. I've only snapped out of it because I got up to flip the record.

[Philo_Vance]

Just threw this on with a bit of reading before bed right now -

 

 

First time listening to it since I bought it. Damn it's great!

 

I've got a decent amp and speakers so usually just blast shit out... but also some really good quality headphones. Does anyone else like to pump tunes on headphones sometimes? It's a significantly different way to experience the same music.

 

I've ended up doing what I always do, and that's picking up a book to read and then getting so absorbed in the music my thumb is still in the same page I opened it on. I've only snapped out of it because I got up to flip the record.

 

 

Decent headphones are the one thing I don't have, which i probably ought to get as I'm always so paranoid about pissing off my neighbours. A lot of what I listen to is so bass-heavy and if I pop upstairs while stuff's playing it's reverberating right through the house so they MUST be able to hear it next door. Don't want to be that neighbour, especially as I get on with both sides really well.

[Chest Rockwell]

I'm lucky being in a detached house with plenty of space most of the time it's not an issue.. but I've got my sister with two newborn babies here at the moment. But it is just a really nice way to listen to music. I'm not the kind of twat that walks around with big headphones in public, but it's totally worth the investment for at home... you hear all the little subtleties in the mix.

 

And even though I prefer to just kick back, most cans you get will have a long enough cable that you can still potter about the room uninhibited.

[Philo_Vance]

Thing is, I know next to nothing about headphones. Obviously I'd have to spend a decent chunk of cash, but is there a huge difference between, say a