A Guide to Starting Your Vinyl Collection on a Budget (and Maintaining It!)
Vinyl records have begun to make an impressive comeback as a way to purchase and play music, outselling CD’s in the United States earlier this year for the first time since the 1980’s. The younger generations have begun to follow in the footsteps of their parents and grandparents, dust off their turntables, and kick back to the tunes from decades prior and present day.
As teenagers and young adults begin to dive into the vinyl world and find their passion for sound, their curiosities about beginning their own collection are alive and unanswered. Here, I’ve compiled some tips and research I’ve learned over the years on how beginners can start off on the right note. While working on a budget may appear challenging, keeping these ideas in mind will help you breeze past any concerns, and have fun while doing it!
THE PLAYER IS EVERYTHING
Like any product, the price will typically reflect the quality. Turntables on the pricier side are believed to have better sound when playing, and have various modes for speed, tone, pitch, etc. Design also plays a part in decision making, as you’ll most likely choose a player that fits a certain aesthetic, or fits the space available to you in your home.
For beginners, I don’t recommend going all out with purchasing a $100+ turntable, no matter how appealing it may look. If vinyl turns out not to be the right fit for you, it will be less of a financial loss in the end. If you find a passion for the technical sides behind advanced players, and thoroughly enjoy the sound quality of a vinyl record, there’s always the possibility to invest in a high end turntable in the future.
I received a Jensen JTA-230 as my first record player, and for the past three years, it has worked sufficiently without issues. For approximately $50, I recommend any new listeners to give this player a look and test it out for themselves. Likewise, several record players can be found on Amazon for a similar price, and can serve as a foundation for an introduction to vinyl.
For those looking to invest, Rolling Stone has published a listicle of record players under $350 that contain a pricier selection, but have various options to keep in mind.
LOOK LOCAL FOR ALBUMS
“You have to keep an eye out for flea markets, yard sales, etc. That’s where the bulk of my collection came from and that’s how you get such good deals,” says Kristine Summer, YouTuber and avid vinyl collector. “For buying new releases I’ll always go to my local record stores before buying any online.”
Online shops and high end-vintage stores are notorious for price gouging their records to appeal to the new generation of buyers. However, they aren’t the only places where good quality albums can be purchased. Similar to Summer, I’ve had my fair share in scouting out local thrift stores for my favorite albums, and have found various options for $20 or less that play like a charm.
“It was so much fun digging through the bins at antique stores and vendors’ malls to find something I wanted. I occasionally ordered a new repress record from Amazon. It took me years before I ever visited an actual record store. I probably had over 150 albums before I ever visited my first record store.”
From Summer’s experience, it is beneficial to know that visiting an official record store is not required to grow your collection. Go on a hunt around various shops in your area, or take a road trip to a notable location where various albums can be discovered. Make it an experience to remember!
ASK AROUND
Nearly half of my record collection has come from family members digging out their old albums, or friends purchasing them as gifts. See what you can find from those around you before you shop. You might be surprised at what you can get for free, even if you don’t care for those 1970’s Motown hits that your dad couldn’t live without. If you’re lucky, you may hear about some unknown vintage/record shops from different friends and acquaintances that you can explore yourself!
TREAT THEM WITH CARE
Always hold the album by the edges, NEVER touch the grooves of the playing surface. This can help prevent scratches and smudges that will disrupt the way each song is played. I learned that mistake after receiving my first few albums, and I have to admit, George Harrison’s guitar solo in “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” doesn’t sound nearly as epic being skipped over.
For cleaning purposes, a nylon cloth can take care of any smudges on the surface, as well as clear off any accumulated dust. Rubbing a cleaning solution onto the album, or isopropyl alcohol can help take care areas that require greater attention. Keeping the needle free of dust and/or dirt can help maintain the sound quality and prevent damage to the record. Always be sure that your turntable and record of choice are completely cleaned before playing. Happy spinning!
