HELP! HOARDING VINYL....A COMMENT RESPONSE

My recent video 'Help! When Too Much Ain't Enough' • HELP! WHEN TOO MUCH AI... garnered some great comments, one of which is the basis of this video response.
1. How can you afford all this?
2. When can you find time to play all of it?
3. Does it get played more than once or twice, or does it get played, filed, and forgotten?
A great comment, and some excellent questions.
Here's my response.

[@RCO-lr4xt]

Here is an interesting take on owning a large number of records. The quote is about books but I believe it applies to records as well. «Umberto Eco, who owned 50,000 books, had this to say about home libraries: "It is foolish to think that you have to read all the books you buy, as it is foolish to criticize those who buy more books than they will ever be able to read. It would be like saying that you should use all the cutlery or glasses or screwdrivers or drill bits you bought before buying new ones. "There are things in life that we need to always have plenty of supplies, even if we will only use a small portion. "If, for example, we consider books as medicine, we understand that it is good to have many at home rather than a few: when you want to feel better, then you go to the 'medicine closet' and choose a book. Not a random one, but the right book for that moment. That's why you should always have a nutrition choice! "Those who buy only one book, read only that one and then get rid of it. They simply apply the consumer mentality to books, that is, they consider them a consumer product, a good. Those who love books know that a book is anything but a commodity."

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

That's such a brilliant quote. I absolutely love it. When I think of my own reading habits, it's a common occurrence for me that I'll pick something out of the bookshelves that I read decades ago, and then I read it again. Not surprisingly, I'm able to appreciate the book even more than I did first time around. It's a gift to have these things at my fingertips.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

That argument doesn't really work with "virtual libraries" because we can now have almost every book or album made on our phone. All we really have to justify collecting physical things is "I just like stuff"😂

[@spinningtheblackcircle8554]

My process for ensuring I don’t buy and file is to have in place “new arrival” bins x 2 and not filing into the main collection until at least 2-3 plays. That only works of course if you’re not overloading. It has helped me to slowdown just a little.

[@ronreynolds1610]

...it is like we have our own music station without Ads, nonsense conversation, streaming issues, popups etc....

[@VinylLatte]

Enjoyed the video of you addressing a fan’s question. Finding quiet time for yourself to enjoy the music is absolutely the most difficult part of this hobby. We’re very similar in that we have no other demanding hobby or expense, but even then it’s hard to find time. I hope you find the time, and I mean that in a non-"Time Enough at Last” Twilight Zone kinda way. 😉

[@Albino16]

We could both be twins. I am 64 years old. I started buying vinyl in 1974. Now I am retired and enjoying my life. Your story could be mine. The only thing I don't do is ride my bike. (Health-wise) I wish you continued good health and lots of enjoyment from vinyl and good music. Greetings from Germany.

[@slowpawstevet3676]

i have collected records since the 60s, they were an expensive luxury in those days, in latter years i acquired much of my collection from used record shops, in the 70s many these could be picked up for £1.50 and later years when people were dumping their vinyl for CDs were a bonanza for cheap used vinyl, especially Classical. i still buy from auction sites and find the odd surprise, my collection is now about 2 or 3 thousand, i am retired now and find time to play two or three albums a day in between house repairs, website surfing and voluntary work, happy days! (-:

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Yes, those were the days....when people were discarding vinyl only to find later that they may have been mistaken. I love my classical too, people almost give that stuff away (at least the ones that aren't the ultra-collectibles).

[@robwalkerletthemusicplay]

Nice response David. For some reason people who buy lots of records have to explain why ..I guess it’s the price we pay for having a KZbin channel.. when I’m in the pub nobody ever advices me to buy beer from the supermarket and stay at home and save my money

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

That's funny Rob, but so apt. People have, in the main, just stopped listening to music like we did when we were youngsters, and most simply don't get the vinyl 'experience'.

[@terrymann1341]

I've been collecting for around 48 years now. I don't have quite the amount you have David. I work full time and look forward to having the time in a few years when I can devote more time to my vinyl, however I do love just pulling out an album at random and giving it a spin, that is a fun way to spend an evening or Saturday afternoon for me. Getting to hear an album I haven't heard in ages. Did this a few weeks back and it led me to deep diving into the Joan Armatrading section of my library.. I love trawling through the racks in charity shops, did it once and came away with a mono copy of With The Beatles for a tenner, it was priced at a fiver, but paid ten as it went to a very worthy cause, The British Heart Foundation. But I do love finding these Gems at such bargain prices.. All the very best David and happy listening....

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Thanks Terry. You have more luck in charity shops than I do!

[@krazyfork5892]

You sir, are my vinyl doppelganger

[@offthebeatentracks4515]

I have tens-of-thousands of vinyl Lps. As long as they're stored correctly and treated kindly, all the power to you. I also like to flip through shelves and listen to an album I've never heard before or rediscover a record I haven't listen to in 20 years. I'm listening to Tom Verlaine's self titled album at the moment. Probably haven't listened to this in 30 years. Pretty enjoyable. I could have easily spent the same amount of money on cigarettes and been breathing through a hole in my neck now. But instead, I have walls of records and tinnitus. I think I made the right decision.

[@RoofLight00]

I’ve got about 20 thousand LPs Been buying since I was 12. At the end of the day, we all die and the records get put back in the pot. Same thing will happen to me and you. Unless you’re immortal you can’t change that. Pass them on to family or whatever, let them do what they want with em. If they flog them at least leave them with a guide as to how much they’re worth. Just so they don’t sell them to a scalper or dealer who’ll do them over for money. You can’t take all that stuff with you when you go! Learn to let go of stuff, life’s too short to worry about records, stay healthy and fit. Doesn’t mean you can take em off me now though…😂 Cheers.

[@vinylrichie007]

My buying has been curtailed quite a lot the past two years. In fact I’m getting rid of more than I’m buying.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Hi VR, I've seen your culling videos and admire your discipline. As much as I've thought about thinning things out, I've always been fearful of missing some albums in the years that follow. And besides, as long as I have the storage space for the music, then it's something I can put off until later....hopefully much later!

[@jtsrecordroom3963]

I don't count, but I know I have over 5000 LP's at least 5000 Cd's. In the last 4 years, I have scored records in my region of Northern Nevada for as low as 25 cents each and my last haul from the British gentleman that let me have his collection broke down to 1.50 USD for these beautiful classic UK pressings ( my latest vids ). Agreed, many of my LP's and Cd's were very affordable to say the least.. Right, more of a library than a collection, I would agree !

[@dihydrotestosterone]

The antidote is streaming! Works like a charm 😅

[@davidgangemi3314]

It's like this. You don't miss hearing an lp you already own. But if you didn't own it,you'd go crazy wanting to hear it all the time. So you end up having a massive collection because you have massive taste(s) in music.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

But you can hear it whenever you want, an app can replace your entire record collection. I'm a record "collector" myself I don't think there's a good argument for physically collecting records when your entire "music library" is available virtually. All we can say is "I like stuff"

[@Gmblr812]

Great video! I find that I feel better about my collection after I purge. Nothing better than making new space on the shelves for new music as my music tastes are constantly changing. Great job here! 🤙🏻

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Cheers! It's such a hard decision to know what and when to purge. There's been many an occasion when I've had an album being played several times (and me finally getting it) and recalling a past intention to swap it out of the collection for something new.

[@EmbryonicRobot]

Ohio Players always had great album covers. Some of your answers really resonate with me. I have some that I have filed and forgotten. I worry that there will be a move to downsize in future, so that might force me to part with some records 😔

[@DreamstoRealityAutomotiveTV]

Buying vinyl is no different but actually better then someone who reads books and keeps them. You can buy a few records, whatever the cost you are willing to spend, I generally stick those new finds in a crate an listen to them a few times over. Usually I can find new artists I would have never listened to growing up but now I find going into the past is better then what’s happening now in music. NOW, people have extravagant rooms or offices filled with books, how many of those books do they really go back and read again, but there’s a good chance you will pull out one of those records and listen again. The only thing I think about as my collection grows is, I hope someone in my life will get all these records when I’m gone and continue to appreciate the music

[@RandyforRoyals]

I heard Mazzy describe his collection as his own personal library and you never know what you are in the mood to hear. That is how I now like to think of it. I do have a lot of DVD's as well and I think of it the same way. You won't have time to listen or watch it all, but it's your own library that you can check out something any time you like.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Bang on. My philosophy too. I suspect that, even though our musical tastes deviate, Mazzy and I have a similar outlook of enjoying our music. He grabs those expensive new releases with a lot more gusto that I do though!

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

You can do the same thing using Spotify though, I don't get this argument and I'm a vinyl and cd "collector"

[@stuarttaylor5750]

Been collecting music for 45 years or so. Didn't have a lot of spare funds for many of those years. A lot of my collection has been acquired in the past 10 years or so - many second hand from record shops and local fairs, dirt cheap £2-£4 - big shout out to Ben's in Guildford.. Now in the middle of a major rationalisation c1500 CDs and 700 records all boxed up and waiting for them to be taken away. I've got to the point where I've decided too many taking up too much room. All my CDs are ripped to a Melco anyway (and backed up on a separate hard drive). I thought it would be hard to cull the collection, but it was quite easy in the end. I just asked myself "do I need all Rolling Stones/Dave Brubeck/AC-DC etc albums - no I don't " and after that it was just a matter of keeping the best/favourite for each. Now I am just curating my collection and making targeted purchases of albums I think I should have. With records being as expensive as they are nowadays, most new music is bought on cd, purely because they are generally a third of the cost of the record version. I've found the whole rationalisation process to be quite therapeutic and freeing to be honest.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Nothing wrong with taking a systematic approach to rationalising your collection, Stuart. Space is indeed a major factor, and not everyone has sufficient space to hold onto things they'd like. Some people do it impulsively though, and there's many a commentator who expresses (at least some) regret. I'm also a CD buyer too, and agree, they're incredibly good value these days.

[@williamvalentin2574]

Amazing how you described how I live and make time for myself and record listening. I have no bad habits . I don’t watch tv more movies. I prefer to read about music and spin some records . Great video 👍

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Thank you.

[@alanabentrod3963]

I love people how do you afford it? People have boats they put on the water twice a year, how do they afford it. People collect coins and stamps they get very expensive. Everyone collects something. Records are very affordable. When i was a kid making $3 an hr records were 6.98 now kids make $20 where I live and records are 25-30 so adjusted for inflation they’re cheaper. Great video btw.

[@3dimensionsofmusic3D]

My friends and family are wondering if I'll ever 'grow up' 😊 ) regarding my vinyl affliction. CDs too 😊. Nobody gets us except us. Happy listening. Greg

[@davidcooper8621]

Excellent thoughtful video and one I can relate to. Your comments about what will happen to your collection when you are gone is something that can haunt us as we get older with the realisation that just because we value it, doesn't mean your nearest and dearest will. My solution is to reduce both my record and mechanical watch collection selling them, hopefully past the items onto people that will enjoy them This stuff began to feel like a burden and I am in the process of removing the unnecessary.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Who cares what happens to anything you own once you're dead, you won't know because you'll be dead 😂 Imagine being a multi billionaire with all the expensive toys, those guys must have nightmares. But its just stuff and the money In your bank are just digits on a screen.

[@therecordchanger4038]

Wow! I was stunned you did a video to respond to my questions. You certainly did explain your situation, and it's very similar to my own. In fact, I think we're close to the same age, and my collection was also acquired for far less money than it costs now. Like you, I try and budget my time, but there still isn't enough of it. And being retired means I have far less income available now to buy new things. I'm focused on playing it as often as I can before I'm gone. I was just curious when I saw that haul in the last video because I've never come home with a haul that big. But I appreciate you taking the time to respond as you did. I am a subscriber, and enjoy your videos very much. Thanks again.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Thank you very much, and thanks for the inspiration to make a video! Mind you, that recent haul was acquired over several weeks, and not in one lump!

[@patmeadows4759]

Greetings Sir David. Another fine thought-provoking vid. I really enjoy your vids over many many other VC (hate acronyms) vinyl community videographers / KZbinrs. You do not stereotype your vids on this LP or that LP or this preference....I could go on. I almost mirror all your responses to the stated comment review. I have been retired 4 years. I am 73. I bike ride, but I find it hard to get into novels, but I read a good part of my mornings, but mostly into hobbies and technical fields I enjoy, but (and a big but) I too make time for music every day. I too have been collecting LP's for over 50 years, I too have never smoked, and now don't drink alcohol much (after the initial wasted days and wasted nights of my youth!!). During covid I refused to binge watch TV and instead built the ultimate sound room in half of our double garage. Fully insulated and really flukey made as it is sonically /acoustically great! Many Saturdays whereby fellow audio friends and friends of friends drop by (mostly drab Fall / Winter days) and hours are spent spinning the vinyl. I must confess the said nirvana sound area has a streaming component via Dac. The one vinyl collection succession component I have had success with is that my adult daughter has taken up the vinyl world. It really got into high gear in 2024 with me getting her and her partner (now finance after 3 years together) received the ultimate Xmas gift of a good TT (turntable) and powered speakers (removes the amp from the mix - saving space). Bottom line to these ramblings, I have a vinyl succession plan in the works. One more note; I too picked out (from library) an LP (LPs) of the group 'Love' and that was the day listening in the past week.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Hi Pat, It sounds like you've really got it together, and even passing it down the generations! And yes, those wasted days of youth have produced many a great memory, but my constitution would cope with all that nowadays. It's so easy, in retirement, to slob out and watch telly all day, and it's quite a thing to be able to resist and do something like listening to music and reading with intention. I like to think at least I'm trying to squeeze as much interesting experience of my hours, including making these videos. Cheers for now.

[@fotochef43]

David, you're on the top my list, tremendously enjoy your videos. I have found myself, over the years purchasing albums to seemingly fill a void. In order to do a purge of my paltry collection, of less than 1000 albums; I have made pledge to myself to listen to each album in my collection to decide the merits of keeping any one particular album. I do have children and, in particular, grandchildren, who have interest in all genres of music especially in vinyl format.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Please pass on your secret for ensuring the younger generation develop an enthusiasm for vinyl. I've no takers over here! 🙂

[@fotochef43]

@@davidatkinson-lifematters4826 Probably having my daughter grow up in a home where music was a given was the impelling factor. Music was almost always on in one form or another. My daughter always loved playing her records and the ritual in the actual physical interaction with vinyl. Her daughters, now 30 and 24, had the opportunity to gain and cultivate a similar interest in music.

[@TommysVinylnaut]

Those were very good questions. The "time" is thing I am struggling. Great answers.

[@TheJohnniegolden]

Sweet gear too Sir, I'd bet that EAR V12 sounds wonderful through the Zu Druids. Are they Druids?

[@nurazidaalyssaazmi3010]

dear sir tq for a very insightful video which actually have a lot of good answers to a question that was in my mind for the past few months ie. how do you listen to a large collection ! the key word is ‘library’ & with that it solves my situation thnks again & have a great day azmi from malaysia

[@jeffhartley1989]

Great video David. One thing that struck me about your purchases is that you’re not afraid to buy an album without hearing it first. That’s brave.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Cheers Jeff. There's always something new and different to enjoy. The critical thing, for me, is to try and listen with an open mind. Usually, there's something I can latch onto.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

That's how you end up with quantity over quality, shit you don't want clogging up valuable shelf space.

[@arzabael]

It was a treat to hear you bring up Ohio Players Club. Theyre one of the small handful of artists who I am “completist” for. Hot Chocolate is another fantastic group of funk artists

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Nice one. Cheers.

[@onmyturntable7036]

Well said David, and your responses echo my own when it comes to chatting with friends, family, co-workers etc. I agree: vinyl warrants attention, and to carve out a set time to sit and listen to a lp or two (for me, at the end of the day), helps me relax and recharge. 😎🎶

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

That's a bit of a lame argument because it's not the medium itself it's you. You can decide to give your attention to Spotify or a CD or a vinyl record or whatever YOU want. So I don't buy this notion that vinyl requires attention because I could drop the needle on a record then go do the washing in another room just as easily as I could sit and listen to an entire album on Spotify. It's up to me what I give my attention to, it's got nothing to do with the medium really.

[@vinylwood]

This issue with collecting vinyl and CD’s that the viewer mentions is very true at least for me. I often feel guilty of not listening to or enjoying my collection especially the vinyl I have owned for decades. I do work but am almost retired and work 3-4 days a week only. Money is not really an issue but it can become an expensive hobby. My opinion for me is this…. ITS THE HUNT, ITS THE POSSESSION AND ITS THE BUZZ OF HAVING IT MINE. Going to record stores to hunt for something new to add is the best part. Listening to everything is almost impossible but the music is always the main purpose but for me not the main reason. I’m a completist so 25% of my collection might be filler but I won’t sell them off. 😅. Thats my take on this silly hobby and like I tell the wife “every man needs a hobby” 😊. It’s been over 50 yrs for me. I don’t drink, smoke, gamble or do drugs so my $$ is dusty. You and I are brothers from a different mother 😊. The collection is more important than $$.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Well said! I'm always on the lookout for a bargain, and am routinely stunned by how lucky I have been to pick-up an album from the cheap bins that others have overlooked. So many blind, or semi-blind buys have turned out to be winners. My other half likes the fact that I'm enthusiastic about music, but she's less enthusiastic about the space it takes up in our home!

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

The hunt is better than the kill. It's a hole that will never be filled, that's the truth about collecting, when you finally get that Grail youve been after for years 10mins later you're looking for the next one, ad infinitum.

[@rogerwerder7262]

Well, thank you for your reply! Am a follower since i dicovered your Van Morrison list. I truly like your reels, helped me discover rush who i never listend to when i was young, despite recommendations. And i buy like you, the honey album( got a few as i love horns) for less than 5 euros, vg condition. Wish you well and thank you for your videos. Am not ritired yet but reached 61 this year.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Yes Roger, when I've seen Ohio Players albums in the used bins, they've almost always been cheap. For me, I guess, it was always the absence of hit singles that made them unknowns to me for such a long time. More fool me. What Ive heard since has been very impressive, and enjoyable.

[@mcharrison23]

Mono A/V upload, I dig it! Pardon, I'm going to retire from work right now...

[@MGKBOSTON]

Hi David! Loved your response to that comment in this video. As you broke it out, I would say to question 1 that I was buying records from grade school onward. By the time I was at university I was buying less but once in the world working my buying ramped up again. I got married in my mid 30s so had a good career going with disposable income spent on music. Once married, 12 years of private school tuition and now university for our daughter cuts into my spending habits. I am at a point where I enjoy the social aspects of collecting by going to record shows, looking for deals, and talking to other music enthusiasts. Once I officially retire down the road who knows what I’ll be looking for, but I will inevitably be buying records. Our daughter Caroline is getting involved in the campus radio station at her school so I suppose I’ve had a positive musical influence! Agreed with you on Ohio Players. I have a greatest hits album and it’s fun. Good example of something in the library. I am at a stage where I regret culling certain records from my collection when I’ve found myself reaching for something that was purged impulsively years ago.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

"Purged impulsively". Ain't that the truth. How many of us have searched out replacements for those we let go? More than a few, I reckon. I'm a few years ahead of you Mike (more than a few) and I'm coming to the conclusion that available space might be the most important factor!

[@seand67]

Wow, I found the same Ohio Players Lps

[@rogerwerder7262]

Dear Sir David, you hit the spot. I am also having my collection as a library; so i can pick and change listening from what i have; no need to search anywhere else. But todays killer: just before i was getting to your video i had just finished listening to the album honey (1975) by the ohio players, that is what i call probable coincidence...😂😂

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Now that's on hell of a coincidence. I don't have that 'Honey' album, but I know it's quite pricey on vinyl. I'll be on the lookout for it from now on though.

[@johnholmes912]

I have two large storage containers for my vinyl/ CD/DVD/ tape overflow

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Hey David! We're kind of cut from the same cloth; I watch very little TV, I've seen maybe a dozen movies in the last 10 years (none of them in the theater), I do not watch football, baseball, basketball or hockey, and I spend time walking be it outside or inside on my treadmill. Sadly there are too many albums that only get one or two plays, but that is on the artist, not me. You hate to talk money in a public forum, but without getting into numbers, I can afford what I buy because I have zero debt; no mortgage, no car payments, no credit card balances. I wish the government ran their house like we run ours. My wife and I worked hard to get where we are. We both have our passions and are fortunate enough to pursue them. Cheers!

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Howdy Steve, Cheers buddy. You're right about not talking about money. I started out with next to nothing, but gradually carved out sufficient funds to buy a few records, enjoying it so much I made it a priority. It's been that way ever since, except to say I was able to use a combination of luck and hard work in developing a career where I became good at what I did, with the money following. I've never stopped looking for a bargain, and I can't complain about what life's given me. I have good friends who just stream these days, and I might be being a tad unfair here, I no longer hear them speak about their musical preferences with the enthusiasm they used to have. No judgement though; we all make our own choices as to how to spend our time (and our money).

[@lie188]

i wouldn't have bought so many/ any, if i knew KZbin was gonna come along. the only stuff i would buy now is if it's NOT on KZbin. good example is 'anchorage' by Michelle Shocked. it's fantastic... and it's not on KZbin. so i'll buy it second hand... NEVER new. good video 🤝

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Your Michelle Shocked example is a good one. Over recent years I've heard of a few examples of well-known songs being removed from Spotify (usually because of today's politics), and it just reinforces my decision to hold onto the physical formats I have.

[@ElfinMan]

I have a compact collection. If I can't see it being played, I cull. If I am indecisive, I simply imagine the thing to be occupying space that could be better utilised, and I've never regretted my decisions, using the funds for vinyl I really would prefer. If I'm at all curious about some artist or other, I can always stream it, and I never get paralysis deciding what to play. I enjoy what I have. You'll be familiar with the notion that offloading is good for the soul. However, when it gets to the point of having a 'library', I'm not sure it works that way anymore. Such a thing will become something of a museum collection once it passes into antique status and will hold value the more complete it is. I guess it may be that provision might be made to bequeath it at some point.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Yeah, it's hard to know what to do with it when I'm too frail to climb the stairs to the listening room, or to carry the albums up and down. I can see a time when I'll revert to CDs for space reasons, but also to release funds to pass on to my family. But not yet. I'm enjoying the music too much. Like I said in the video, I've tried streaming and it just doesn't work for me.

[@therecordchanger4038]

By the way, I almost forgot to mention that I live in Ohio in the U.S. I grew up 70 miles north of the city that birthed The Ohio Players, and that's where I now live. I've been listening to them since I was 12. They've got quite a catalog now. I'm happy you found them.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

I think the album covers put me off for a long while. They seemed gimmicky and unserious. Now I know better.

[@bockersjv]

A thought provoking video which raises some of my own fears and dilemmas. I am approaching retirement and do ponder if the stuff I am buy for music and other hobbies will get good use or will see its way to a local charity shop too soon. But in lighter moments I take it that life is a journey to enjoy as you best can and not think too much about the ending. A constant battle though! Also do you have some albums that you only listen to at certain times of the year/seasonal. Higher Life by S Winwood only gets played in the Summer and Albums by IQ are Autumnal. Much to do with playing these to the death when they were first released and i was in my late teens.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

My philosophy too - enjoy it all while you can. I understand your seasonality comment too, but I'd have to give it some thought to pick-out some examples. That Winwood album is definitely a summer one though.

[@chrisnicol1644]

When you have too much vinyl, you convert it to tape...

[@jamieholmes4675]

You work hard all your life and pay your taxes so what a great way to enjoy retirement. Its way better than letting your arse and brain go numb watching Homes under the hammer and Dickinson's real deal.