Do You Care About The Value Of Your Vinyl Records? | Talking About Records

In this episode of Talking About Records we discuss the importance of monetary value to record collectors. Do you enjoy an LP more if it's rare and worth more money? Do you play it more/less frequently and handle it differently than cheaper albums?
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[@georgemusic4all4seasons]

A good part of my record collection is made up of what one would consider pricey & collectable. Whether it be rare 45s with pic sleeves & 12” record albums I take care of them all, as well as enjoy them. Now before anyone says , you could have put that money to good use. Starting out very young, married,family, homes & college educations were always a priority. Record collecting came second, which was also a priority. I say a priority because having a hobby is very important for one’s mind & well being.

[@blakeudell]

The real value of a record is sentimental, not monetary

[@NTXVinyl]

AMEN

[@valuevinylwithmark]

I like the way you worded your open. Initially, I was going to state that I don't really care (or think too much about) the value of my records. I buy them to enjoy listening to and to collect as a hobby. But after spending $120 on the VH Live RSD, and $80 for a Coverdale/Page, I definitely treat those records much differently than the 70% of my collection that was purchased for $10 or less. As I'm learning more about vinyl and their value (or lack of), I often find myself laughing as some prices I see at flea markets or antique stores. Some sellers/resellers definitely hold more value for theirs than I do, LOL. Nice video, just subscribed. Look forward to checking your out your channel

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks so much! Really appreciate the sub

[@nikosl8838]

I am checking Discogs often just to see the value increasing and tell my wife that this is an investment 😂😂😂😂 but I never going to sell! Music is a part of my life since I was 11 years old and vinyl and cds I own are something I can hold and it’s mine! That’s the real value!!

[@NTXVinyl]

Totally get it

[@Ross1966]

I only care about how expensive all the records I now want have become! 😮

[@NTXVinyl]

Right?!?!

[@Pluralofvinylisvinyls]

Idk, I think it’s pretty exciting digging and finding a super valuable record. I typically sell them if I don’t love them in order to buy a bunch of $20-$50 records I do love. For me at least, every really valuable record I’ve found has been something I’m not really into.

[@jeffreysturges8641]

I never bought any of my music as an investment. It’s only when I became an old man I discovered that I have a lot that are worth $$$$. Like others have shared, they are an investment but I sell very little as all my vinyl has a time stamp in my life and those memories are priceless!

[@NTXVinyl]

10000% sir!

[@maxhirsch7035]

Similar in my case, though If I'm really no longer that into a particular title I'll part with it if I can get a good price, as I only have so much time to listen to the loads of stuff I already have, whether analog or digital. But definitely unless I'd somehow really need the money, I wouldn't part with my early (or even later) lps, as they are cherished possessions that bring me a measure of joy- emotional investments.

[@cameronzywina906]

Interesting video. I generally don't care about the value of my records except when I try to sell them.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Yes, my collection is part for enjoyment part an investment. Everything!! is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Yes i treat my more expensive records differently, I'd be stupid not to. If you choose the items you put in your collection carefully it can be a great way to store value, certain pieces increase in value over time.

[@watdanuqta-mf5ms]

Interesting point, when buying records since the seventies in high school, you will treat certain records better because they went up in value. I mean I bought/paid for the original Classic reissues when they were $25.99. Of course today I look at those Led Zep issues that are now worth a grand in a different light. Many of my Eno, and Fripp Lps are worth more than the new reissues I noticed checking the other day. I still have unopened backups of Zep plus the first British pressing of Deep Purple's "Made In Japan", many Joy Division pressings, A Quadrophenia, Leinsdorf conducting Prokofiev's Romeo & Juliet, Wagner Highlights on Sheffield Labs, my absolutely beautiful Karajan/ Beethoven nine sym on a tulip bordered DG box set complete and so clean, many sides are noiseless, nary a tick that I paid a dollar for, that's right a buck, etc., etc. And a recent find that an opera buff buddy(one of his holy grails) has been in search for forever is a clean box set of the Solti/Vienna Wagner Ring Cycle recorded from 1958-65. Not just found it, the operas were still unopened. I couldn't believe it, I was picking up some "Acid Mothers Temple" and there it was, sitting on the shelf at Reckless. When I told my Tenor friend, he didn't believe me until I sent photos. As I opened Das Reingold, by the way, I have seen Lyric perform the entire Ring in a week as the proper way to experience it, I taunted my opera buddy by saying I just took a whiff of air from the sixties, he called me an a@@hole, I guess I deserved it. One more thing, I had the entire (four operas) thing copied to digital 24 bit/192Khz using state-of-the-art Nagra gear using the Limited edition Naim Turntable/preamp/MC cartridge/ separate power supplies rig one of only 500 to make the rip and let me tell you it's the best way to listen to the entire masterpiece un encumbered by getting up changing 17 or 18 records.

[@user-ux5go7gv6d]

I buy records for my enjoyment, because I want to listen to the music. Don’t care if they are valuable or not, just that they are mastered properly and the pressing is good. I would never abstain from listening to a record just to preserve its value. The value is in the music and the experience. I’ve inherited some Beatles original pressings from my father and those were the records that got me hooked. I still play them to this day. They are, first of all, valuable to me.

[@NTXVinyl]

Totally get it. I'm the same way. In fact I probably spin some of the more valuable LPs more often, as many are my favs

[@jimswenson2411]

When I play I usually close my eyes and randomly pick a group, pick a group for a specific artist, or pick a selection from a genre of time period. Don't have a lot of valuable discs, but I must admit that there are a few, very few, that have not been played or played once or twice that I might skip if they are chosen. I went through the whole how valuable are they on Discogs, Mazzy convinced me to enter my collection. I haven't gotten rid of a single disc in over 55 years and don't plan on starting anytime soon, so the value doesn't mean much more that coffee table chit-cat. I didn't start collecting in earnest until the late 70's, so almost all of my 60's and early/mid 70's are reissues. Almost everything I've bought recently, last 15 or so years, has been used so that I can afford more. Occasionally, I get lucky and get a 1st pressing or OG copy for short money but I'm buying to fill out my collection. I'm not looking for the absolute best sounding "audiophile" copy.

[@NTXVinyl]

Love to hear your experience! Thanks for the comment

[@bazedjunkiii_tv]

coming from an electronic music x dj background a lot of records are basically tools to me. i need them to pursue my craft. period. if they get damaged, i'm gonna replace them at some point. no matter if its a ten dollar record or a three figure piece which do exist in this realm, too. i put 'em in my box, take 'em to the club and handle them all the same.

[@seand67]

I check the value every now & then but it’s not a serious priority

[@mkberlin]

Very valuable records are more difficult to replace. Generally, my record collection is open for my friends to grab a record during a party and put it on. I keep records above 150 € in a separate shelf, that only I can touch. Over the years only 3 records got damaged at parties and I could easily replace them for 40 € altogether. Also, I guess no one is immune of feeling proud putting a record on, that is rare; so yes they get played.

[@NTXVinyl]

Right on. And sounds like you have rad parties! :)

[@Candywarhol]

A record's sound quality/clarity and the memories I have of the specific music is what I prioritize--not the number of magic beans that I could get, were I to sell.

[@NTXVinyl]

Truth

[@raggeragnar]

My primary value is about the specific copy itself. Was it a gift ? Did I buy it somewhere special ? Is it nostalgic to me for a reason ? Was it hard to obtain ? Is it rare ? My turniquetted brain can find all kinds of reasons to love a specific record. I’ve stopped trying to find out why , hahaha.

[@NTXVinyl]

I feel ya! The nostalgic value is real

[@yyman23]

I'm definitely more careful with the more valuable records in my collection, as far as handling them when I play them. On the other hand, I play everything I buy. I do not buy and wait for the value to go up. If it does, it's cool - like watching your stocks go up in value, but I don't intend on selling high. I'm a music lover first, and a collector second.

[@jeffreyallison771]

If I own it on vinyl it’s because these records mean something to me. There is already an emotional connection to the music. So before I buy I will do as much homework as I can to discover what the better or best pressings of an album are. This genuinely lends me to but higher priced vinyl but when I’m looking my focus is on high quality vinyl then cover condition. I buying to listen not collecting.

[@NTXVinyl]

Right on. Quality over quantity

[@markdecker2112]

As I am cataloging all my dad's LPs in discogs, I do look at the value of the album to determine if I replace inner sleeves and put the cover in an outer sleeve. Many of his albums acquired over 70 years resulted in less the ideal covers quiality but still pristine vinyl, but because those covers are not ideal, i skip that investment in preserving the value. So yes, I care about the value of the vinyl only to decide to what degree of protection I provide it, but it has no impact on whether I play the record.

[@NTXVinyl]

Gotcha. Appreciate the comment

[@danielgeiger7739]

About 1/7 of my records has no discogs value. Does that mean it is super rare and expensive? Or are they worthless? The most expensive record I have -- mean $250, high >$400 -- is a garage recording (with barking dog in background) 1.5 single (one side blank) from German punk band Vorkriegsjugend. Not great music, has some sentimental value, but I play it rarely. Signed copies have more sentimental value, or those with personal letter. There is no monetary value that anybody can attach to it. So basically, monetary value is only applicable to a percentage of my records, and where it does apply, it often is not correlated with musical quality, IMHO. I mainly listen to music, so therefore, the monetary value is more of an accident. All my records are treated the same, with same utmost care, inner/outer sleeves, etc.

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks for watching! Love the feedback

[@MikeD0414]

I play all of them, but do treat the more valuable ones a little more carefully.

[@NTXVinyl]

It's understandable.

[@ericelliott227]

Perhaps for insurance purposes only. Other than that, I could care less. Record prices flux like the tide. Standard valuation is non-existent. One will ALWAYS get far less than they paid if they go to sell their records. In my book, records have zero monetary value in the grand scheme. To me a $30 record is worth $2 at best, A $200 record is worth $2, a $400 record is worth $2 and so on. For me, the value of a record resides squarely in the sentimental realm, the realm of memories and the enjoyment of the music and it's history.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Are you interested in selling your collection?

[@ericelliott227]

@@crazyprayingmantis5596 No way. I am not a collector. I buy records to restore them, preserve them and play them. I don't sell, I have no interest in "collectors items", etc. It is just a passion for music. If I ever tried to sell them anyway, I would not get $5.00 for the entire collection. It is not worth thinking about for me.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

@@ericelliott227 I'll give you $6 then

[@MikeD0414]

BTW where can I score one of those NTX Stealie shirt?

[@NTXVinyl]

We are out of stock on them now, but plan to repress in the coming weeks. Keep an eye on our social media or join our newsletter at ntxvinyl.com to get notified.

[@doubled7330]

I tend to lean into my best sounding records and/or newer purchases. GI - not sure how to reach you other than posting here, but I would REALLY like to see you post a video about how you clean your records - specifically if you use an Ultrasonic. More and more I'm getting NEW records with a lot of clicks/pops/high noise floor - even MFSL and Analogue Productions records! When should I return the records as bad/faulty? I use a yellow spin clean, but that doesn't do a deep enough clean to remove clicks/pops. I bought a Furutech Destat III for static, but still some records can probably only be fixed with an Ultrasonic. Also, I use an Ortofon Blue cartridge (I believe you have the same, or used to) and while it sounds great it picks up everything. I really don't even dare buy used records right now for fear of how they'd sound without a deep clean. So, I think myself and others would appreciate your take... should we shell out $2-3K on a Degritter, a Humminguru.... there are 100's of products, but based on my reading/research only an Ultrasonic can really get into the grooves and get the dust and dirt that are creating the clicks/pops. Thanks!

[@NTXVinyl]

I have an Ultrasonic and it does a great job

[@doubled7330]

@@NTXVinylNice - which one did you decide on?

[@doubled7330]

@@NTXVinylMake a video about your experiences with it!

[@NTXVinyl]

@@doubled7330 I have a Vevor 6L, and yeah. Need to do a video on it

[@Wreckords-Marcel]

I only care about how much they are worth if 1) it is something I don’t have yet and want to buy 2) if it is something I did buy that I don’t like and want to sell

[@NTXVinyl]

Makes perfect sense. Thanks for the comment!

[@jmfloyd23]

I'm careful with my records. Sure there are times where I've dropped the record and I gasp! Records are meant to be played not left sealed in my opinion! I know I have valuable records in my collection. I clean the record and the stylus before each play. I value my collection!!

[@NTXVinyl]

Yes! MADE TO BE PLAYED

[@RocknRonni]

All my records are valuable and a lot of them are rare and I play them all. I take very good care of them of course they're all basically mint condition that's how I like my records. I like Japanese original pressings from the '70s. I like analog productions. I like mobile fidelity. I've just pre-ordered seven of the 75th anniversaries mostly to do comparison videos for my channel. Also about cleaning records if you're using good anti-static inner sleeves and you clean the record properly let's say with TERGIKLEEN then rinse the record then vacuum it you'll be amazed how much better the records will sound and you're done. The record doesn't have to be cleaned anymore. How about searching records on discogs the newer ones obviously have the barcode you can find that easy enough older ones every record has a unique number usually you can locate it on the spine or label that will identify that pressing.

[@NTXVinyl]

Cheers! Sounds like an awesome collection.

[@RocknRonni]

@@NTXVinyl thank you sir ❤️

[@garyharper2943]

No, to me they are priceless.

[@TamboArtwork]

I don't care how much my records are worth. I play all of them

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

If you don't care how much they're worth can I buy your collection for $1?

[@TamboArtwork]

@@crazyprayingmantis5596 My records aren't for sale. I bought them to play them. If I no longer wanted them I would give them away.

[@breaknrun76]

I try to take great care of my records but I do not buy / collect them for investment purposes as I know I will not be selling them during my lifetime

[@NTXVinyl]

Right there with ya. Keepers for life

[@ThiKu]

Not an ounce. If I like it it’s priceless if I don’t it’s worthless.

[@NTXVinyl]

I feel ya

[@cardnut]

I do not really look at the value of a record. If an original pressing is too expensive, then I will buy a reissue.

[@NTXVinyl]

Makes sense

[@guytracy7224]

Nope.

[@chopayrussell9660]

All of my records are valuable to me regardless of the "market" may say... although i know i have atleast three that are ligit $150+. The sentimental value is most important, e.g., Christmas gifts from past family members. Oh ... and they All get played. What is the sence of buying LPs if you dont play them...😵‍💫

[@NTXVinyl]

Agree completely. Made to be played.