5 Trends in Vinyl Record Collecting that Need to Stop | Talking About Records

Like any hobby being reinvented before our eyes, record collecting is going through some growing pains as new collectors get involved. Everyone from customers, to shops, labels, distributers, and manufacturers are being affected by trends like these - and they need to STOP. Now!
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[@marciap-vc]

thank you for mentioning the snobby collector punching down on a new collector, it's the worst. I've actually left a couple groups because of it. Can't tell you how many times I've seen a new collector ask the best way to clean their records and some smart-a#$ responds with put them in the dishwasher 🙄. Or a new collector excitedly talking about their new record purchase and somebody randomly blasts them about their tt. Seriously, no new collector is going to go out and spend big dollars on a new hobby, if they like the hobby, 100% they'll upgrade to a better unit down the line, but in the meantime, how is it remotely affecting your life? And I'm at the point where I pretty much just block anybody who mentions to somebody else that the plural of vinyl is vinyl not vinyls, UGGGGGHHHHHH.

[@gringoloco4]

But the plural of vinyl IS vinyl.

[@marciap-vc]

@@gringoloco4 Very well aware that it is, because that exact sentence is repeated as nauseam when someone says or writes "vinyls"? Why berate someone over and over about it?

[@gringoloco4]

@@marciap-vc I prefer to give the noobs tough love, toots.

[@warrenhummel6506]

I'm with you I quit a few groups because I was always being put down because I have a 45 year old turntable

[@jax2428]

It affects our lives in THIS way... all these Johnny come lately's have completely ruined the record game by over paying for records and driving the prices through the roof. Anybody who pays $45-$50+ dollars for a darkside of the moon etc is a straight sucker. I miss the 80s/90s when NOBODY gave a siht about records. I wish this "vinyl revival" trend would just go away.

[@markmorrow3250]

Very nicely done! I used to sell acoustic guitars, and it kind of funny how several of these same problems plagued that hobby, especially beginner shaming. On line and in the store both. It always made me angry when someone scraped together as much as they could to get into the hobby, and some clown would be spouting off that they are wasting their time on that 400 or 800 dollar guitar,and should spend 2 or 4 thousand and buy a real guitar. Not everyone can come up with that kind of money. And spending more money, doesn’t mean that they will get more enjoyment from it.

[@GeeVanderplas]

Yeah and that kid that scraped together 400 dollars will end up being a far greater guitarist because they actually really want to learn.

[@HudsonValleyVHS]

Financial gatekeeping might be the only form of "beginner shaming" that actually bothers me, and it's a disease in the audiophile community. Now if a guy found a SX-1250 at a yardsale and wants to flex, I get it, but these dudes who order somthing like a McIntosh 7200 for 7k off crutchfield, and than says "your system isn't true Hifi unless you spent 5k" are terrible.

[@Foxtrot1967]

One thing that must stop is price gouging from sellers

[@NTXVinyl]

Agreed. Hurts the hobby. Market value is one thing...but gouging hurts everyone.

[@TeeVeeGames]

Agree with all of these. I think one thing to append to "newbie shaming" that goes hand-in-hand with it is "shaming the affordable turntable owners". While I will always kind of nudge people away from those Crosley's you find at Cracker Barrel or Target, I still see a lot of people who scoff at a $300 AT or anything that's not restored vintage or over a few grand. I have stacks of 7 inches I owned from forty years ago still in my collection. Some people would be absolutely horrified what I used to play them on. And with that in mind, I think any table that offers basic adjustments (tracking force, etc.) will be fine for any new collector.

[@NTXVinyl]

Agreed on the turntable point. Everyone has to start somewhere

[@Gma7788]

I updated to a brand new AT turntable and that's IT. I finally was able to speed up Hendrix recordings and confirm the sound perfectly matches the official electric guitar sound sold by the Jimi Hendrix brand.

[@DavidUKesb]

And nearly all listen to music which doesn't make any difference with kit worth thousands

[@davidbeeson9408]

I’m still using my 90’s separates. And they’re great. I think some brilliant TT’s & Amps were made in the 90’s. Maybe even the best.

[@steevenfrost]

Totally agree. i have a deck which cost £300 and is great sounding. Mine has an AT cartridge,which stylus is fairly inexpensive.

[@ianbalentine6950]

Exactly! The comic book industry did this with their covers in the 90's and 00's, and it almost killed Marvel and DC. Great for the short term and definitely not sustainable; flood the market with variants and the bubble will eventually burst. Artificial demand that forces the costs for all vinyl to go up, and when these people tire of the hobby and bail you'll see the prices plummet. Stop the madness. Great discussion, thanks!

[@dimebagdave77]

I remember that..good point Ian👍

[@NTXVinyl]

YES! YES! YES! Flooding the market is terrible long term. Exactly why I hope the trend stops.

[@jonlevinson3000]

The comic book industry never took the lesson to heart. You’re spot on.

[@billymuellerTikTok]

great analogy... and now Comic Con is Movie / The Walking Dead Con... just like RSD is now Picture Disc Day

[@ianbalentine6950]

@@billymuellerTikTok absolutely! take a good thing and drive it into the ground until it's dust.

[@albumswithandy3561]

I've been a collector off and on since 1979, I was six. And as I started to collect again five years ago I started by watching lots of videos by owners like you. Helped me to know where to look and how. Also a good tip for newbies is to talk to the owners of their independent record stores. I've found they love talking vinyl and are very knowledgeable about the stuff they stock.

[@richmoreno9938]

I like colored vinyl, but I agree, too many variants isn’t necessary. Especially if it’s bogging down pressing plants.

[@johnharts2463]

I’m grew up listening to my parents’ very small vinyl collection and it fueled my love of music. My first music purchases were 7” singles. I’m 50 now and I grew up taping songs off the radio with cassettes. I was excited when CD’s came out. It was convenient to jump tracks but something was missing because you didn’t have to flip the tape. The conversation changed because there was no longer talk off the “A” or “B” side. Eventually we got rid of our dual tape decks for cd changers and quit buying turntables. Unfortunately, we got rid of our “outdated records and tapes because cd’s were so much smaller, convenient and superior in sound quality. Then like most things that come back around, vinyl becomes popular again. I think it’s the nostalgia for a lot of us gen x’ers. I just bought my first LP this week. I haven’t even opened it yet but I’m excited to because it’s tangible and you can hold it and feel it. It’s intentional listening. Streaming is so passive. We turn on Pandora and ignore it almost as background noise. The playlist is generated by algorithms. When you stack records or listen to an album or mixtape, it’s personal! I use to love getting new cd’s and going through the liner notes and lyrics and seeing the graphics on the disc. So I’m excited to start hunting vinyl. I like that there are varieties to choose from and I want to see the supply meet the demand. I remember having one or two colored vinyl records as a kid and they were so cool. So Let’s see where this goes. And every one be kind to the new collector. They are helping to grow the hobby.

[@DreamstoRealityAutomotiveTV]

Record collecting for me is a current thing, I am 47, kids are grown and as a music lover I felt the need to do this. For me, I enjoy digging in used sections, buying new is easy, also expensive. Used records seem more genuine, keeping something old alive. This also has pushed me to buying music styles I normally wouldn’t. I’ve bought more older music as well as easy listening type stuff. Anyway, had to laugh at the record store snob subject, I have a local store I frequent, holy shit, it’s a record store/high end hifi shop. Great place don’t get me wrong, but damn between patrons trying to impress the owners on what they buy record wise or guys standing in circles mentioning part numbers on their said tube amp. Cracks me up, but hey it’s all good.

[@kenjarrell4123]

Nailed each point, G.I.! Especially the quality control issue... And there are too many examples to list. What really "warps my wax" is that most distributors have extreme restrictions on returns if they offer them at all. This real hurts the retailer, especially the indie store owner. Most will not and cannot simplify throw their hands up and say, "Sorry, not my problem." because if they do, they'll be out of business due to poor customer service and satisfaction. But by doing the right thing, they wind up with a defective record and eating the loss. That's a sad situation in itself with the occasional defect but compounded by the poor quality of pressings coming out.

[@chrismiceli5023]

Very informative video, great info and I agree with what his concerns are. The trend I deal with on a personal level that I feel needs attention is the backlash against digital. Just because people are rediscovering vinyl and/or analog doesn’t mean the digital medium is without merit, and we need to understand how lucky we are as music lovers to have different mediums available to us. If the word audiophile means someone who shakes his head at a broke college student who can’t afford a turntable or laughs at someone who wants to cue up Spotify while they’re at the gym, than count me out.

[@bondgabebond4907]

This analog vs digital so much like truck owners. It's either Ford, GM or Dodge Ram. I think people have to ditch the war since so much is processed digitally. I have a number of CD, also available on vinyl, made by TELARC. The recordings were not done with analog tape, they were digitally recorded. And do they sound good. Great dynamic range you would expect from digital, crips clear highs, punchy midrange, if that makes any sense, and kickass bass. I own both vinyl and CDs, so this is a war for children, not mature music lovers.

[@keithvincenttucker9923]

Personally, I never have more than one variant of an album. I may have more than one format, such as vinyl, cassette, CD, etc. I also experienced the beginner shaming and the snobbery. I was born in the mid 70s, so my parents had records when I was a kid. Everyone's parents did. What did they play them on? Record players. Usually cheap ones, that were more than 10 years old, at the time. No one called them turntables. So, 7 or 8 years ago, I picked up a box of 50 records at a garage sale for $20. I knew that vinyl was starting to gain popularity, so my original intent was to resell them, for a profit. However, I decide it would be fun and nostalgic to listen to them as well, but I didn't know where to start. I joined a few record collecting forums and asked for advice. I mentioned that I was looking for suggestions for a record player. I mentioned that I was leaning toward Pioneer, because the rest of my sound system was Pioneer. I was shamed for using the terminology my parents used like "record player" and "needle" instead of "turntable" and "stylus." I was also shamed for even suggesting a Pioneer. I, then, asked for suggestions as to what I should be looking for, preferably an automatic. I was shamed for even suggesting automatic, then recommended some good, "cheap," beginner turntables, that were all manual and started at about $2000 and went up drastically from there. That was over multiple different forums, all with similar results. I almost gave up on record collecting. Eventually, though, I was able to research some options that were far more affordable. I even learned how to adjust the tracking force on record players without a counter weight. Now I am perfectly happy with my Denon DP-47F that I bought at a garage sale for less than $100. It sounds great, its automatic, and I love the look of the high-gloss wood finish.

[@MJEvermore853]

Good for you!! 👍😊

[@poetsdreamsatc]

@Keith Vincent Tucker I had the same issue! My Technics turntable finally died. Went to a forum for info. I also asked the difference in receivers that they now call amps. Well they were no help. Finally just did my own research and found an Audio Technica turntable LP120XUSB that plays 33 1/3, 45’s and 78’s! Sadly it is not automatic but I can control the speed of the turntable. So cool you got a Denon turntable for $100. That’s the best bargain I’ve ever heard of! Enjoy your music! ☺️ Deb

[@keithvincenttucker9923]

@@poetsdreamsatc To be honest, the Denon wasn't working right when I bought it. I took a gamble that it was something mechanical, that I could fix. It payed off, but if it would have been electronic, I would have lost my money. As it was, all it cost was some oil for the tone arm bearing.

[@poetsdreamsatc]

@@keithvincenttucker9923 That’s great you fixed it. I really loved my old Technics turntable because it WAS automatic. I changed the belt but it sat for many years not being used. Life delayed the use of my vinyl and stereo. I still have that Technics turntable and I’m hoping one day I’ll find someone who can fix it for me. Until then I do like my Audio Technica “record player” very much. ☺️ Thank you for the reply Keith. 🤘Deb

[@Stupid_you_so_stoopid_UHF]

I got a VPI HW 19 , a Technics SL-23, and a pair of Technics 1210 MG5 . I totally like my Technics over my VPI. I also only use Blue Jean's cables and totally happy with them over audioquest wires. Those audioquest speaker cables I own , the wire completely broke of because how freaking stiff they are. I should sell those turd wires. I definitely don't like headaches and that's how some of the high end stuff I've purchased has been nothing but...

[@luvmyrecords]

You had me at "records."😊 All vinyl are records, but not all records are vinyl. I REALLY like what you said about variants. As a person who has collectrd since childhoid, now 59, varients are fun only when they're accidents, and happen organically. (Like the first 100,000 copies of U.S. Capitol "Sgt. Pepper's..." misnaming the second tune, "A Little Help From My Friends," leaving out the word "With," or the first day pressings of "Revolver" in mono having a different mix of "Tomorrow Never Knows.")

[@luvmyrecords]

All other points spot on as well! I wish you continued success.

[@raphaelroth1456]

Great vid! What i really hate is misleading hypestickers like “audiophile pressing”… or “180 gramms” that mean nothing for the quality of sound. Also in this category i would put misleading or “creative” wording that is supposed to make a digital source sound like its actually analog. Would be great if there was an industry standard of transparent source information (e.g. AAA, ADA, DDD etc..) for consumers to actually know whats in the product theyre buying.

[@NTXVinyl]

YES! Just chill on the marketing and tell people exactly what they are actually buying!

[@dawnpatrol700]

Read the hype sticker of the 2008 Beck Modern Guilt vinyl, it's a glaring example of what you're talking about. I got it new in 2008, and was like " what the hell does that even mean"

[@polarbear3427]

Good idea. Like CDs (esp. classical)

[@neil-maclean]

I've got hundreds of records up to the 2000s which are made of really thin vinyl, not a single one warped and sound fantastic. I've never seen so many newer warped records that are heavyweight/180g etc. They don't sound any better either. Marketing BS

[@QoraxAudio]

Those three letter codes are called SPARS codes. They should become mandatory IMO.

[@jasontheflyingfarrierhays1347]

My step father taught me about classic rock. He has a collection that could easily run a classic rock station. I had the opportunity to be a DJ at a classic rock station in big rapids Michigan, 100.9 WBRN, from the age of 17 to 20. I now have a 10 year old boy, Ryder. We bought a turn table and we now have a great start to our collection (about 25 albums), AC/DC, Fleetwood Mac, Tommy James and the Shondells….My son and I are very close, but somehow this has brought us closer. I highly encourage anyone to start up the vinyl hobby. There is something to playing an LP from start to finish. In the modern times of “play whatever you want whenever you want”, there is something to listening to an artists complete work, straight through. Those artists planned what song would be in what position, in the studio, for a reason. Today’s music is like only being able to see the Mona Lisa’s eyes, although still incredible, it’s still not the whole painting, like listening to an entire album provides. So buy that cheap turntable, and get started listening. Be fascinated by the stylus dragging the groove and delivering sweet melodies. You can always upgrade later. Do what you can to get back into vinyl, you won’t regret it 🙏

[@NTXVinyl]

So awesome to read! My kids (11 and 8) already "get it". I love it when their friends come over and I can hear them teaching them about what a record is, and why to listen to them - versus Alexa.

[@tylerleeger5034]

Thank you for acknowledging the quality control issues I live in the Palm Springs area and there’s been quite a few times where I had to return brand new records right out of the package because they were scuffed scratched or warped every time I try to return these records to a mom and pop shop they look at me as if I’m crazy! I’ve been told several times from several different places I cannot return them because they should be fine, of course they should be fine!! but they’re not they’re damaged before I could even damage them myself not that I would but I pay a premium price for a premium product and get something so damaged and then I can return it and I’m stuck with it! It has made this hobby more of a chore which is why I question myself why do I continue to buy records. It’s refreshing to hear from someone who acknowledges that there is quality control issues that I’m not the only one experiencing brand new records being severely damaged

[@NTXVinyl]

That's bad business IMO. Have to stand behind what you sell...good and bad. Even if it's not the store's fault (obviously) it's their problem to deal with, NOT the customer's.

[@jerlg]

#5. Oh my gosh yes. Records made 40-50-60 years ago that were thinner and more mass produced are still flat as a pancake compared to many of the current pressed records. I can understand a small warp. But some “limited “ RSD releases I have bought last year have a significant warp. Ugh.

[@tball5677]

I been collecting for 43 years. I remember when it wasnt taken so serious. Miss those days

[@elvisonwax]

A very valuable point. 40 years ago we were music lovers buying records because that’s what the music was on! For my part, I started buying records as a teenager and have never stopped.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

The artificially "limited" records just for the sake of charging more for a copy is the one that pisses me off the most. Just give me a readily available standard black vinyl pressing that I don't have to pre order in fear of missing out and then having to pay outrageous prices on the flipper market for. I'm sick of discovering a band that I really like so I decide I want to support them by buying their album only to discover that it sold out in 2hrs because they only pressed 500 copies on green and purple glitter splatter blood vomit glow in the dark liquid Lava lamp limited edition loser indie exclusive live show only signed gold foil stamped by invitation only ballot drawn special exclusive exclusive edition. Is that too much to ask for?

[@NTXVinyl]

hahaha! I need that version! 🤣

[@MJEvermore853]

This comment has me laughing my butt off 🤣😅😂

[@monaural2.988]

This is exactly why some people have written off Record Store Day for good. They’re sick and tired of being asked to chase after things in the “carrot and stick” manner, all the while the music industry and stores that participate shout like carnival barkers, “Woo Hoo, Woo Hoo! Look what we’re gonna put out!! Step right up folks…who’s gonna get it? Who’s gonna get it? Lay your money down! YOU could be the WINNAH!!! STEP RIGHT UP FOLKS!!!!!”.

[@zigzag7838]

If I were to spend a lifetime trying to get a release like that, I probably wouldn’t even be that satisfied with it when I finally succeed. I’d be like “All this trouble just for this stupid disc?? Now I don’t even wanna play it, I’m too afraid of damaging it!” 😂

[@Wreekhavoc]

Nailed it. 🤣🤣

[@ENigma-um8zw]

Well put and well made, grateful for my collection, I got into collecting in the early 00s and have a great collection that is zero’d in on different thing I like or not and have learned how to make the best of my experience. Thankful for physical and digital media. Main takeaway for me, is just continue to be a compassionate enthusiast of this hobby without casting uncalled for judgment on those still getting into it and also for labels to reduce variants and for gatekeeping snobbery to be curbed and for quality control of manufacturers and pressers to not rob customers or labels, and to speak with wisdom without having to certify your own superior taste or methods etc. much love, thanks for sharing!

[@billymuellerTikTok]

Walmart and Target and Amazon selling albums is GREAT for independent record stores - the more people save buying new albums there the more money we have to spend at the indie stores on the used stuff which is where the local places make the most profit. it also helps get people INTO the vinyl hobby which will lead them to the indie stores to get what Walmart and Target don't have.

[@NTXVinyl]

Could not agree more.

[@De_La_Soto]

Agree! I have a few friends who knew I was into vinyl for a long time, but didn’t show much interest. But now that they’ve been seeing the big box stores carry records, they’ve been inquiring about getting into them. Could not be happier about that!

[@kittiwakedave]

Great video. I appreciate your perspective. I live in a very rural area and thus there’s no record store anywhere near me. Whenever I go to see my son, who is in college, I go to the record store there and make as many purchases as I can. I also travel there (4 hours one way) for RSD as I want to support independent record stores. I also order records online from Independent record store. On occasion, if I’m in Wal-Mart (which is rare) I’ll peruse their records and I recently purchased a Frank Sinatra album - Nothing but the Best. It sounds really good and my wife really enjoyed it. Thanks for putting out these great videos.

[@NTXVinyl]

My pleasure David! Love the comment. I am certain you are not alone in that scenario.

[@syater]

To pick just one of your points: I fall on the side of not getting multiples of the same album. That's to say, if the track list is the same but the color of the vinyl is different, I just don't care. I'm there for the music, and to some extent, the quality of the cover. I have exactly one multiple of an album in my collection, the stereo and mono editions of Revolver. In some cases I'm open to extra tracks, demos, alternate takes, but ultimately it's just about the music.

[@Vinyl_guy]

i agree with you but i believe there are some cases where having 2 of the same album is ok, like my case i have a 1975 repress beatles white album in mint condition and a 1968 original i’m not so great shape, the original 68s were individually numbered.

[@cryptosanity361]

The variance issue is plaguing the sport card business as well . Now one set will have 20 variances on one card . Then that same company will issue a higher or lower end set and do the same thing . It used to be there were 5-6 different rookie cards of one player . Now there’s literally 300 or more

[@MichaelIretonEsq]

I'm over 60. I go back to the '70s and '80s--even the '60s. Back in those days, I had thousands of records. (My first records were Beatles 45s that my mom would buy me for being good on shopping trips in the early/mid '60s.) Like a lot of folks, I suspect, I got tired of hauling all that weight around in move after move. So I got rid of all about about 200. I was aware of the great vinyl revival for the past few years, but couldn't be bothered. When the pandemic came along--again, like a lot of folks, I suspect--I thought I might check it out. For the most part, streaming is just fine for me. I don't feel a burning need to buy all the records I used to own. I decided to focus on a specific interest area: "Krautrock"/electronic/experimental--Kraftwerk, Neu!, Can, Popol Vuh, Tangerine Dream and such, as well as their ancestors (Stockhausen, Velvet Underground, etc) and descendants (Daft Punk, Stereolab, etc). I just thought it might be kinda cool to have some of that stuff on vinyl. I OCCASIONALLY buy something else, but not often. As I dipped my toes into the new world of vinyl, I very quickly got annoyed and frustrated by all the things you quite rightly discuss. Ultimately, my biggest complaint is that it has become about "commodity fetishism". It seems--and I include some very well-known KZbin channels in this--to be about "collecting" OBJECTS purely for the sake of obsessively collecting and/or for financial value. This, of course, leads directly to all the variants and "limited editions". It's disheartening and depressing and, to me, ridiculous. People buy records with apparently zero interest in actually listening to the music. They leave the records sealed, and only "appreciate" them as objects or artifacts in a collection, which they presumably hope will "appreciate" in a different way--i.e., financially. I guess that's fine, but it makes absolutely no sense to me. Maybe I just lack the "collecting" gene, or am too dumb to play the speculation game. I SUSPECT that ultimately this too shall pass. I think a lot of what's going on is being driven by...well...people like me (at least in the sense that they got (back) into it during the pandemic). I'll be interested to see where things are in 5, 10, or 20 years--if I make it that long! (The other thing that drives me bonkers is the whole "audiophile" thing--but I'll just leave it at that for fear of venturing where angels fear to tread!)

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks for the comment Michael!

[@bernardmeyre]

Hi From Paris! I totally agree with you on all points. I've got a friend who actually does exactly what you describe : he buys different, numerous ( usually expensive ) so called "limited" versions of a record, never in a store, and - damn man ! - je keeps them sealed and stored... Hum, well i ' m sorry but what is the point r eally ?! Speculating? Is it the music you're interested in or what?

[@bernardmeyre]

I'm over 60 too ! Ha ha

[@CinemaATTACKS]

I have seen a few channels from young collectors disable comments after getting so many negative comments from collector snobs, or make videos basically saying "please stop leaving negative vinyl comments", it's sad.

[@NTXVinyl]

So ridiculous.

[@jodygoeler586]

I love seeing young people getting into this great hobby. A little humility helps sustain a supportive and engaging community. I really enjoy your posts and appreciate the positive tone you set. I wish we had your stores in CT! Thank you.

[@milanfan81]

I just started collecting vinyl records even though I have cd's from the artists just because it's a bigger album... My plan is to collect and hang it on my wall and will play the vinyl once or twice before displaying it... Pertaining to his 9:30 discussion about asking advice and getting burnt for asking, I just make up a story about my grandfather having really old vinyl records and wanting a turntable to use try and listen to it. Majority said to find which album from what artist and sell it xD

[@TKRVideoCentral]

Five great points - all of them valid. There's issues with all five concerns. For me personally, I try to nurture new vinyl collectors, and I also don't discourage them from shopping box marts simply because I'VE BEEN THERE. Most of my purchases when I was a teenager in the 1970s came from those stores. Do what you can. I prefer to deal with record stores, but I'm not above ordering from Amazon if I need to...although some horror stories from their shipping of vinyl later has me very leery at the moment. Great video!

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks for watching!

[@MelindaMurphy]

Ready Freddie! I enjoyed seeing your collection. I had no idea there are that many dvd releases out there. The Wayne's World record was very cool. I also like that VMP Night at the Opera. It's beautiful. Take care.

[@peterhawn6944]

Great video ! Thanks for your honest opinion 👍

[@spookey2004]

The biggest threat to the longevity of vinyl to me is the aftermarket and flippers who buy all the copies of a limited edition release to resell them for crazy prices. I believe flipping will be the death of vinyl because it’s made it so incredibly hard to get albums that haven’t been pressed in a while, or even more recent albums are harder to get because of flipping. There’s been so many times that I’ve genuinely considered quitting and selling my collection because an album I love got repressed and I hear about it a day later and it’s already completely sold out and being sold online for over $60. Also Quality control has also definitly gotten pretty awful. One of my favorite albums finally got pressed on vinyl for its 15th anniversary and when my brand new copy arrived it had FOUR scratches on side B. Not to mention it was super dusty right out of the shrink wrap. I also got a brand new copy of Folklore by Taylor Swift at an indie record store and the record was SEVERELY warped, full of pops and clicks and just generally sounded awful and lazy. It’s really a shame cus it’s a great album and the vinyl and packaging looked really pretty.

[@NTXVinyl]

I purposely avoided the topic of "flippers" because, while completely frustrating and annoying - I don't believe it can ever be stopped, and therefore isn't really worth debating/discussing IMO. E.g. Go look at concert tickets. No amount of technology or system has ever stopped scalpers from benefiting on the secondary market. It's too far gone, and will forever exist because the demand is simply that high. Same for records to a certain extent.

[@BlueOceanBelow]

I'll add one I hate. When there's a repress of an old album, but only in some super-deluxe, box-set type edition with no normal edition. Looking at you, Smashing Pumpkins. Box sets are nice, but I just want the normal record to be in print again. Just a pet peeve.

[@jamiehess4211]

All good points. I'm not really connected to the vinyl community, so #5 was especially pertinent to me. Recently got back into vinyl after many years. Bought a 2019 pressing of Paul's Boutique and it had a slight warp. Also got a 2013 sealed reissue of !Sandinista! and found a deep scratch through one of the songs. Very strange, especially for expensive records.

[@geraldhesch9780]

great video, can definitely sign everything you pointed out.

[@NTXVinyl]

Glad you think so! Thx Gerald.

[@davidreed4910]

This a really good post. Thank you. I agree with everything you've said, particularly the one about shaming new vinyl collectors. I've loved the recent resurgance of vinyl & it would be a shame if these people with snobby attitudes send the newcomers back to Spotify or Apple again. We've got all all this experience so lets share it & encourage all of these newcomers.

[@steve_coinguy]

My closest independent record store is over a 100 miles away, Walmart is less than 5. With that said I will be making the trip for RSD. Quality control is spot on, the amount of returns I've had is ridiculous. It gets more complicated based on whom you buy from. Excellent video

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks Steve!

[@Lamont2g]

Thank you! Well done. Needed to be said.

[@NTXVinyl]

My pleasure

[@JoeOrber]

Great video, and all of these are definitely great points. Some of them we can't directly control (e.g. QC, variants) but some of them we can, like not being snobbish and not treating new people badly. When it comes to buying from big box stores, I kind of was forced to do so when the pandemia started and all stores started closing their doors. I started buying mostly from Amazon, and I think I've been very lucky because I haven't got a single defective record, just once I got a different record but I liked it so I kept it lol. Having said that, I'll go to your website and get some records yay 😀

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks Joe!

[@proudcanuck]

Glad I seen this video, I literally just got into vinyl when this video was released, been loving my music on the turntable!

[@NTXVinyl]

Awesome! Enjoy

[@piet65]

Great video, thanks! I agree 100% 👍

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks!

[@machiel5888]

Toyota releases their cars in 14 different colors, but if I bought all 14 due to FOMO, would that be Toyota’s fault? Nobody is forced to buy anything, I think some people blame their unhealthy shopping habits and overspending on music labels instead of themselves. I love variants, sometimes I collect them, but usually I don’t. The argument I do sympathize with is the “bogging down production” angle, but that’s already a massive issue, variants aside. There’s less than 100 large pressing plants in the whole world, the demand was always going to outstrip supply potential.

[@JoeOrber]

Ah cars, absolutely, don't get me started with that lol, and they also have limited and special editions. I guess people don't fall into that trap that often because cars are definitely waaaay more expensive than records, but you're right, it's the consumer's role to decide what they want to buy. It also happens with certain foods, but you eat those so it's fine. I knew a person a long time ago that collected all the different Pepsi cans though, unopened

[@NTXVinyl]

"Nobody is forced to buy anything" - totally agree. But it's a gamble the music industry is making IMO. Short term benefits/profits instead of doing the right thing and building the industry in a more sustainable way. But honestly...that's what the music execs always do. 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@MJEvermore853]

I agree with Machiel 100%

[@georgecheung4271]

Can't agree more. A video with lots of insights. One thing I have noticed, strictly personal, is that these days people tend to stress the sound quality, which is not a bad thing, but overlook the content of the albums. There are many records out there that which are mediocre but have been given the deluxe/limited edition/audiophile dressing that the real good music is seldom discussed. By the way, I don't live in the States and so I can't say anything regarding Walmart but to me, a good record is a good record and if a customer thinks an album looks shonky or is not properly manufactured, just skip it till you find one to your liking. Thanks once again for your time and effort of running the channel.

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks George! Really appreciate the feedback, and thanks so much for watching.

[@gregsanders9585]

"Limited Edition" these days basically is false advertising. Pure and simple. Once upon a time, there was a law against that. At least here in Australia where I come from. But these days, merchandisers seem to be able to get away with anything. In my experience, trustworthy "limited editions" are actually numbered right there on the release. I also totally agree about the overdoing of "exclusive" and "variations".... it's become ridiculous. They've identified the "completest" collectors out there that must own every variation no matter how slight. And you did have to get me started on the "newbees" thing ! ... Social media seems to be the perfect breeding ground for people judging others based on their knowledge or taste. It's not just a music collecting thing though ... it happens across the board no matter what subject. If people behaved like that face-to-face, the dentists would be inundated with patients who've had their teeth punched out. But the cowards hide behind social media and treat it almost as a joke.

[@Sphat90]

The worst thing in the last few years is companies like Vinyl Me Please getting the exclusive rights to certain albums where there would be plenty of demand in a regular release, just so people will sign up to a subscription service. It was bad enough when Record Store Day deviated from its initial purpose as a way of getting rarities out there for fans (and just became about a million coloured vinyl variants of stuff already in print). In general the cost of vinyl has gone up astronomically as well. Some things I've seen sold new for about £40, and there seems to be no coherent reason for it.

[@Balonious_Crunk]

As a record collector and record store employee, I agree with many of your points! Great videos!

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks so much!

[@johnsmusicpassions9740]

my pet hate is channels that only make videos about their shopping sprees and just tell you what they got and how great their choice is - little interest is spent on the review of the album , instrumentation, musicians and why you like it - i say who cares about shopping - do we tell everyone on youtube what food we bought - the other issies - reissues , versions, package gimmicks - just grabbing more money and hate it - collecting music should be about sharing what you have in detail so that another person may check it out

[@MJEvermore853]

Yep..."Check out my latest big haul!!" I skip those videos every time. Who the heck cares about what THEY bought. Unless they buy them to warn the public of bad pressings or to talk about how good a certain record SOUNDS, etc, that's a different story. 👍

[@dfhdasfj]

I owned for about 70% of my collection firstpressings from the 50s to the early 80s. Most of them are perfectly flat. Minimum 80% of my pressings i bought new a warped as hell and/or damaged. It's hilarious!

[@Vinyl_guy]

i have a 1974 first press of goodnight vienna that is like perfectly flat, my brand new john lennon gimme some truth album is warped

[@postmodernrecycler]

It's so weird because the *recently* new stuff is definitely problematic, but I have a slew of releases from 2000-2010 when vinyl first came back, and it was/is all high quality, and in many cases better than pressings from the mid- to late-80s.

[@robertwoodward9231]

Really good stuff! My head spins as a record over every word you said. 71 and learning. Got lucky though as I found a very good analog, for cheap at an indie. Hmm, must not have did their homework..

[@dimebagdave77]

Well said Sir🔥100% agreed on every point.got to make time to visit your store one day soon hopefully.until then, thanks for the advice/cool vids man. Before anyone thinks of putting someone else's precious equipment down, think back to your first player..the very first one..and don't be a freakin bully

[@NTXVinyl]

Great point indeed. We all have to start somewhere.

[@JoeOrber]

Yes, thank you! My mom had a great, huge, console-type record player with Radio, it was huge and sounded great, but as a Kid I had a small fisher-price record player, and I loved it because I was able to play records in my room. It was hard to change the stylus because it was a ceramic cartridge and the stylus didn't have a plastic body, you needed to screw it in lol, but to me it was great back then. As I grew older I bought a second-had sanyo record player and it worked great as well for what it was

[@mrhoffame]

All great points. SOOOOO agree with your last 3!!

[@Turntable_Currents]

What has killed alot of the excitement and enjoyment for me is over pricing. For example a highly popular and easily found album like a Beatles album...automatically is $25 or higher and its trashed.

[@screaminglordmabuhayka]

Ive gone back to cds, tired of over priced records new and used- the stores can keep them.

[@billymuellerTikTok]

only $25? that's a steal LOL - I see Kenny Rogers albums that look like they "survived" 3 hurricanes and a divorce for sale for that price at flea markets and antique shops.

[@monaural2.988]

With not only The Beatles but just about any name in the classic rock realm, people in general are insistent that they should price to be able to retire, regardless as to pressing or condition. And Discogs and all the rest should not be the Bible on everything there is. One title could be highly sought after in Cincinnati, while in Albuquerque there might be a shop that has had that title sit in the racks, gathering dust. Nothing should be “Law” in pricing!

[@Turntable_Currents]

@@billymuellerTikTok 🤣

[@seogulee]

well said. I'd like to add a few more. 1. Pre-order several months before the release. If they don't charge when ordered, that could be ok but some stores and labels want to charge right away when the actual release days are months away. I don't see any other business doing this. 2. So called "Eco-Mix", the recycled vinyl. sorry but this hobby can't be eco friendly in the begin with. But if the labels really want to produce with that low quality plastic, at least charge less. But I don't see any "Eco-S*it" getting cheaper than the standard. Even worse some bands release album in "Eco" pacakge, that is non-sense. especially that band was responsible for all this variation disaster on early days doing this scheme. now they made this. eco-friendly pacakge. which gives all but headaches to stores and collectors. and more importantly i don't see replacing the shrink to paper isn't much eco friendly. 3. Exclusive edition. this is already covered by you. but now this is getting out of control. A big artists, especially take pre orders. saying time limited / store exclusive etc etc then when it's release date. Every single "exclusive" edition is available at retails. I'm sad to see this scheme is coming from those billionaire entertainers. They keep cheating their fam bases. I don't see this all wrong trend go die anytime soon or forever. 4. Price Hike. this is also from a big name entertainees as well. Please stop saying the cause of price hike is too mucch demands etc. This is 2024. There are more pressing plants now. I don't see there is a serious manufacturing bottle neck nowadays. This price hike is all because of the greed from those big names and major labels. please stop that bullshit - support the "artist" and buy directly from us. most of those are billionaires. The real ones who need a support, they don't treat their fans like that wag.

[@ShamrocknRecords]

I’ve always hated the snob. I managed an indie record store here in Maine for years called Bull Moose for years a few years ago and so many people would come into the store and were snobby and for no reason. I don’t know if they think they are cool or what it is about certain people. Usually they are just insecure with themselves. I have no patience for them. Plus they are never usually well rounded and know too much themselves. Haha.. Anyway, I agree with you whole heartedly. Teach the newbies and get them excited about this great hobby. Cheers, Brian☘️

[@NTXVinyl]

Right on! Have ordered plenty from Bull Moose before. And yeah...no place in this hobby for snobs and bullies. Not worth my time.

[@n8dawgaic]

Bullmoose ❤❤

[@semperfi-1918]

On my journey starting from an ols highschool record player and my first album i grabbed then the basket full. Was the beetles yellow submarine. I was welcomed and told its just the beggining. And i always tell anyone saying they just starting to welcome them and help point in the right direction.

[@Kalprog]

Great points, the big one is the last one, quality control. I've had the good fortune of amassing my collection back in the day when plants were cruising along at optimal production capacities and rarely buy new product. The overwhelming demand has definitely put a strain on them to the breaking point. If quality continues to be an issue it will no doubt scare off potential growth. Record Store Day has also created another annual strain on plants as well but I'm glad the brick and mortar stores benefit greatly from these, I don't ever want to see store closings become commonplace like the past. We all should be so lucky to have a couple local shops to frequent, I'm grateful for mine. No shame in used and secondhand vinyl either. However one gets their vinyl is fine, let's just hope we get the quality we're looking for so that it can grow and prosper. The prices are another thing affected by the supply and demand and raw materials, there is so much to sort out! Great video.

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks Kurt!

[@keithhavens6566]

Agreed! These re releases need to stop! I saw someone buy the Germs LexiconDevil 7 inch on Red vinyl for 200 dollars on EBay thinking it was an original copy variant. Bad on the Seller and buyer ….

[@billymuellerTikTok]

"limited edition" is meaningless unless they're numbered... it's like "walking distance" - as Steven Wright says "everywhere is walking distance if you have enough time"

[@billymuellerTikTok]

it's like 'natural flavors' and 'artificial flavors' - they both mean the same thing, but the food industry tricks us into thinking one is healthier than the other

[@Bootradr]

I live in Fort Worth and I'm glad I came across your video. I have not been to any NTX vinyl stores and I will have to look it up and see where you're located. Are all five stores using the NTX store name? I'm very eager to find one close to me and come check you out. Do you have any stores that are on the Fort Worth side of DFW? Thanks for any help on these questions and thanks for the videos too.

[@NTXVinyl]

Hey there! Always nice when someone local finds me here. Our closest shop to FTW is North Richland Hills - it's our very smallest booth, but still has some solid inventory. ntxvinyl.com/ntx-vinyl-dfw-locations/ You can also shop all new and pre-order vinyl on our site and choose local pick up. shop.ntxvinyl.com/

[@grymlohke9919]

Thank you for the part about the records coming from the same place. I work at a pressing plant and it drives me crazy when someone complains about buying a record online. Some of our stuff goes to our warehouse and some goes to walmart. Thats just how it is. Not to mention you cant always find what you want at some stores.

[@NTXVinyl]

No kidding. I cringe every time I see someone ask/comment like..."Are the Walmart albums any good?" 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@Channel33RPM]

Very good list. I agree with all of these... The seasoned record collectors giving newcomers a hard time bugs me to no end. Cheers, Frank

[@NTXVinyl]

Yeah….so tired of it.

[@riffhard7605]

Variants has been going on for decades. Stiff Records was famous for this. When they did second and/or third pressings for singles they would either completely put a new sleeve on it or slightly alter it. One of the most famous variants is Ian Dury's UK LP 'Do It Yourself'. So far we have documented over 24 sleeve variations. Some variations had a run of a couple thousand, others just a hundred.

[@NTXVinyl]

Absolutely. But these days you have major mainstream artists pressing 20 different vinyl colors - at a time when pressing plants are overwhelmed with demand. Frustrating for indie artists that are having to wait an entire year to get their small run pressed just so they have something to sell at their shows.

[@78rpmblog]

I agree with all your points, I could not have said it better. Thanks for interesting video.

[@NTXVinyl]

Thank you!

[@mikewest1542]

I got hooked on this when it started (RSD) but not anymore , this year I am going for the 2 Bowie ones but only on CD !

[@IronTyrant]

as an indie label owner myself, I must say I have to agree with a good 90% of what you said in the video. Cheers!

[@fts81]

I don’t shop for records at big stores, but I think the simple fact that they are offering records after so many years tells something, and might attract new buyers/collectors

[@NTXVinyl]

Could not agree more

[@fts81]

@@NTXVinyl your channel is one of the greatest resources for beginners and veterans alike! Keep the good work!

[@NTXVinyl]

@@fts81 thank you so much! That’s incredible to hear

[@humdrummed]

1 and 2 are modern marketing. 3, well when I was a kid it was records cassettes or 8 track. Newbies are just a way to revive the hobby and sadly makes prices rise.. 4 and 5, well I bought my first new 2000's record only to find it cupped and warped.. I can most of the time get better prices on original releases in decent shape.

[@waynedowling2664]

I have been collecting lps since 1978. It has always been about discovering a new artist or group. Branching off into New genre's of music. Finding an album I never heard of or an album I've looked for years for. It's never been about the color the vinyl or picture disc. I may own a couple of each. OG mono and stereo versions of the same album is cool. You won't like this but I rarely go to record stores. It drives me crazy because I want them all. The cost of new vinyl is a problem to. Audiophile pressings for $200 that sell a week later on eBay for $500. I hunt in the wild. Flea markets, antique stores and yard sales mosty. I rarely watch VC KZbin videos,. Topics like crazy covers, my most expensive records, don't interest me. People with access to free vinyl or collections because they own a store just makes me jealous. I heard a young girl ask if an album she had bought was good. Listen to it. Doe's it have an effect on you. I have spent most of my life trying to get average people, American idol folks, lite rock, pop folks, to listen to un mainstream music. It's been called the shit Wayne listens to. Tony Rice, Leo kottkie, John McLaughlin, Marty Stuart, John prine, Tom waits, ry cooder is not shit. Good topic. I guess I needed to vent. Be well.

[@NTXVinyl]

Vent away! Thanks for watching Wayne.

[@vv247]

Great video, my 2cents. 1. Agree 100% Ignore meaningless product , focus on the music 2. its hype marketing, agree 100% 3. hmmm newbies ,ya feel sorry for them 4. 😆 yup 5. Quality is garbage today , Rhino records omg I won't even buy that stuff, surface noise, infill. I've been collecting for 40yrs fwiw. Great job.

[@chrisvarner4798]

I loved your point about indie snobs. I personally haven't encountered the shaming, but my nearest indie store 40 minutes away. I'd love to shop there more often, but just logistically it's so much easier for me to shop on Amazon or my local Walmart.

[@NTXVinyl]

Makes total sense. Do what you gotta do to collect and enjoy the music you love!

[@1983capcomfan]

In my opinion the #1 sin that needs to stop is 2 records in 1 jacket. A double album belongs in a gatefold!

[@NTXVinyl]

I don't disagree. However, gatefold can add a TON of cost to a project. I can tell you that firsthand - for smaller runs at least.

[@mrpetit2]

Not so much record related, but what really needs to stop are those horrible crosley type cheap plastic suitcase record players. Horrible quality and often so badly adjusted/tuned that they can actually damage records.

[@NTXVinyl]

Yeah....tough balance between allowing a low-barrier entry point, but they typically sounds terrible.

[@roncooper6817]

A big disappointed & an unwelcome trend is that now many vinyl LPs no longer contain those mp3 download cards…Indie artists generally thankfully still do so but it really it is a big pity & may soon put many off purchasing vinyl

[@NTXVinyl]

I can tell you the reason why a large majority of labels/artists have stopped including the download cards is because redemption rates on them is abysmal. I remember reading a while back that less than 10% of those cards actually get used. So it’s a wasted expense. Not saying some people (like yourself) don’t value and use them, but the masses never touch them

[@roncooper6817]

@@NTXVinyl Many thanks NTX Vinyl for your kind reply. Forgot to say this in my first posting but what a great video you did...makes you think a lot & many thanks for this. Back to no longer including download cards…then if (a) people are buying 20 copies of the same album (hence 19 downloads not utilised), (b) people are returning their vinyls because of poor quality hence probably only one of the two download cards will or has been utilized & (c) folk keep their copies sealed either to resell later or never to play it but just to look at it then no wonder only 10% of downloads are being redeemed. In any case I believe that the 10% is a feeble excuse presented by the majors in order to reduce their costs & increase their profits. Thank goodness Indie labels are continuing with them but naturally am worried that they will also stop.

[@DLEVANS65]

Hello From Fort Worth ,Tx. I just came to your channel!

[@NTXVinyl]

Welcome!! Glad to have ya here!

[@DavidPietersen]

When I worked in a Record Company there was a saying "Limited Edition means Limited to How Many We Can Sell".

[@NTXVinyl]

TRUTH!

[@Rjensen2]

That's every single company ever. Just shitting on record companies isn't fair. Standard operating procedure.

[@therevrockinrollin]

Really enjoyed this video.

[@calvinwazoo]

So true on the shaming. The first record player I ever used was one my brother had back in the 1970s. It was like a suitcase, the turntable dropped down, the speakers were on each side, and, of course, it was a changer so you could stack records. That's what I started with. And that's what a lot of people today start with, whether it's a Crosley or some other inexpensive system. To lambast these new collectors over the system they're using is the epitome of hubris. And I agree on the quality control. I don't see the poor quality that often, but when I do see it, the disappointment is real. Even with releases that ostensibly should be high quality, there might be a small flaw that creates distortion or some other anomalous sound that no matter how often you clean the vinyl won't go away. Good video. I share your concerns.

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks for watching!

[@blastdamage]

I'm in my mid 20s and I'm pretty new to vinyl myself. When I was shopping around for my first turntable last year I was (respectfully) advised to avoid the cheap Crosley ones and to invest in something a little pricier but of higher quality because apparently Crosley turntables, as a result of being poorly made, have a nasty tendency to damage records. You wouldn't want to do that to your special edition pressing of your favourite album of all time for which only 150 or so copies have been made before being discontinued. So that's how I ended up with one of Audiotechnica's entry-level models for about 500$ canadian and I'm quite happy with it. Anyway, my point is, having someone actually politely explain to me /why/ I shouldn't get the cheap stuff, and having it come from a place of genuine concern, was definitely way more helpful than being yelled at and called stupid or cringe by an elitist veteran collector.

[@calvinwazoo]

@@blastdamage Hear hear!

[@DanSPsych67]

Good Points Made... I Agree... I'm A 60's Psych Fan... Re-Issues Yes!! But Please GOOD Quality!!!

[@NTXVinyl]

For sure!

[@jimk2000]

I think as far as "quality control" goes a lot of that is influence from social media. I have been buying vinyl since the mid 1960's and can't remember ever getting a bad record even today. A good example of being influenced by social media is I bought the Beatles box set that came out in the in 2012. Everyone on the internet started complaining about how bad the quality was and because of so many complaints I ended up returning my box set not having played any of the albums . However, I decided to reorder it several months later because I really wanted the set. I finally listened to all the albums and they ended up sounding fine to me. I always remember an old adage.."Perception is reality".

[@NTXVinyl]

I don't disagree. Social media can be toxic in so many ways

[@meleepinata]

Honestly I'm usually just happy to have the record. Unless it's a MUST HAVE, then I'm okay if it's not colored or 180 gram. I just want to listen to the music. Everything else is usually just a pleasant surprise if it's available.

[@NTXVinyl]

I'm with ya! All about the music

[@simonblack301]

It seems like your main issue is all these trends will result in independent stores selling less records and with thinner profit margins on new releases. Directly in terms of big box variants and indirectly on smaller scale releases being displaced by major label, mega releases at the pressing plants. These are all fair points.

[@nigeltant]

I’m glad to hear these points made by someone in the busness of selling records, because I’ve been moaning about about some of this for years! Firstly, the quality has made me very cautious about buying new records - I have benn buying music for nearly 60 years, and it has never been worse. Pops and crackles, warped records, you name it. The other main bugbear of mine is the artificial scarcity created by limited editions. This won’t be a popular opinion, but Record Store Day has fuelled a lot of the problems that you talk about - the multiple versions, the snobbery, the quality issues. It’s an artifiacial construct that has had its time and needs to go.

[@NTXVinyl]

I don't disagree. RSD has tons of upside, but it's taken on a life that I don't think they intended. Hard to reel it back in now.

[@donw3912]

This was a great video and 5 serious issues that should...and hopefully will sort itself out. The limited edition to me is the single biggest annoyance as far as the records themselves. I think there should be some sort of an assn or such that can set basic rules up..and for crying out loud...if its limited PUT THE NUMBER ON THE HYPE STICKER!!! The shaming is bad and I for one love seeing it when younger kids are in the store going through the bargain bins with their mom or dad and pulling out something and so excited about it. I always shop my local indie stores when I do my hunting...rarely will I buy a brand new repop of an old album....to me a couple of clicks and pops arent gonna make me toss it aside as a bad copy...it gives it character:-) The umpteen colors is ridiculous as you stated perfectly...I say 5 tops. A great video and very nicely worded issues :-)

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks for watching Don! Really appreciate the comment

[@richardcline1337]

My biggest pet peeve are the "audiophiles" that have spent thousands of dollars on their turntable and then another thousand or so for the cartridge and anyone that buys anything less gets hammered by these people. My philosophy is, and always has been, if it sounds good to me I don't care that it's not the most expensive whiz-bang unit out there. I buy for MY pleasure, NOT theirs. These are also the very same people that almost have a cardiac arrest episode if you mention thrift store vinyl. Great! That leaves much, much more for those of us that just love the music and know how to clean records.

[@NTXVinyl]

Totally agree.

[@hippiegeraldo3042]

I would trade the multiple variants for better QC any day

[@NTXVinyl]

YES!

[@jamiecottle5850]

Excellent video.

[@NTXVinyl]

Thank you very much Jamie!

[@dmomcilovic9185]

Best thing I did is sell my entire 3500 record collection, make £35k over the years from it , digitise them all and still love the music.

[@Spidddable]

Great video mate.

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks so much!

[@fis3685]

With the online shopping especially Amazon, it needs to be understood that a lot of countries and the world don’t have as way access to indie stores or big retail stores for that matter. I live in Australia, there is 5 ‘proper’ indie stores within 150km of me, closest at 120km. I can’t afford to drive there all the time, and with limited stock in these small stores, there’s titles that are only available online, and due to extreme shipping costs and international overpricing, Amazon is the only option for a lot of regular or repress variants. I wish there were different options, but for some people there isn’t

[@NTXVinyl]

Totally valid. Sometimes options are limited.

[@zh3401]

I have been collecting vinyl since 1974, owned a couple of shops over the years. Agreed that the behavior of collectors drives the industry behavior. We can only control what we can control. Having collected the best available versions (within reason financially) over the years I now purchase only the best quality vinyl versions. I have heard and had this same conversation in the 80's and 90's and nothing ever really changes, capitalism drives artists and labels behaviors. Those artists that release numerous version of identical music I will not purchase, ever. As to the snobbery, it's in every category of collectors. In my shops I never abide a snob or a fan boy who wants to camp in the shop for hours every day. That sends a message to the novice that they are not one of the "cool kids" and drives them away. This can be done with face to face customer engagement. I found that in doing so I could satisfy the snob and the novice most of the time and built a good customer base and community.

[@NTXVinyl]

Solid words of wisdom!

[@slumdogjay]

Yep. I’ve got a couple of newly pressed vinyl that sound like there’s a skateboard skating along a concrete walkway.

[@ka-pop2243]

WRT #1 and #5, I’m extremely frustrated with Friday Music. I’ve owned two colored copies of a particular alb from them. The first had debris embedded in the grooves of two songs and a small scratch on another. The second is free of those types of blemishes but has WAY too much surface noise for a new record. I certainly didn’t spend $30 on a brand new album for it to sound like a VG used copy. OTOH, I have a black vinyl copy of a different FM album and it’s fantastic. If they can’t do better on colored records they should stick to black vinyl.

[@bondgabebond4907]

NTX Vinyl, I love your videos. I have collected nearly 400 albums from the late 60 to about the time the CDs came into play. I bought two records recently, one to replace a two-record set that is missing one record, and just for fun, an ELP vinyl just because I want to see just how good they are. The Jimi Hendrix double album was perfect, the ELP white colored album at two distinct and loud pop on one song. That ended album purchases for me, and I will continue to support CDs. I have one suggestion. Get a nice comfortable leather chair, dim the lights and sit in front of a lit fireplace with a pipe in your hand. And then let's talk music.

[@NTXVinyl]

Love it! Thanks for watching

[@pennymoquin9776]

I have seen online that some people shame others who buy picture discs. Granted they are not of the same audio quality as a regular vinyl disc but they can still be fun to collect.

[@NTXVinyl]

Not surprising. I only own a few, more so for novelty. A lot of the new/modern pressings don’t sound near as bad as the older ones.

[@onebigholiday42]

I don't mind the 100 different variants, for smaller bands. They're often putting out a handful of variants with maybe 500 of each on subsequent reissues put out a few more variants with similar pressing numbers. It's the Billie Eilish, T Swifts and Adele's of the world or those completely unnecessary 5 LP reissues of Tattoo You that absolutely NO ONE asked for and is bought strictly as a collector's item. I don't begrudge people for buying any of that stuff, spend your money how you want, but that is absolutely crushing production right now. One annoyance I have, and I get prices for everything are rising, but the standar pricing for record jumped from $20 to $30 pretty quickly. Seems like a lot of stuff I've been preordering of late has set me back close to $40 per after shipping.

[@NTXVinyl]

Hopefully prices have stabilized a bit. Not sure the normal buyer can pay much more.

[@bluecalix]

#5 is very surprising to me, but I recently experienced it as well. I bought a new pressing (from Sub Pop of all people who should really know better). The record surface is full of cracks/pops and even has a scratch on it! I was honestly shocked at how bad this is.

[@peterrech2307]

Hi, well said especially about new collectors and indie snobs. Im not a new collector (own about 12k+ LPs collected since the late 60's) and i buy new from wherever I can get what i want and used from fairs, stores and collectors.

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks for watching Peter!

[@blackie75]

Couldn't agree more with the first point. I went to purchase a new release of an album on vinyl the other day and they had it in pictures, splatter and every variant of the rainbow, but no plain black, which is generally what I buy. Like, do your crazy collectables, but please give us at least one standard black guys....

[@DocStrangelyStrange]

I agree with you that bands selling a lot of different colour variations is frustrating; but I don’t believe that it clogs up the pressing plants to the extent that you’re suggesting. The whole record business is about making money. Groups know how many records they are probably going to sell; and press records accordingly. If a group can sell 10,000 records; they’re not going to suddenly sell 100,000 records because they release an album in 10 different colours. The multiple variations are generally just a percentage of their overall production run, not (necessarily) an extra.

[@NTXVinyl]

Yes, and no. The process of swapping out vinyl color X number of times certainly slows things down. A pressing of 1,000 vinyl records all on one color is a faster process than 200 X 5 different variants. As a one off that's not gonna make any difference, but when you add up the logistics and time of this being the case for hundreds of titles it adds up - across every different plant.

[@ronnywilson2112]

Oh man totally agree with this trends issues, we have to leave them behind. The music industry is playing with us, hungry for our money so if they wanted us to pay for premium items let's ask for premium industry practices, right prices, quality control, no more snobism, premium customer service, etc. I buy from whoever have the record and CD I want at the right price that have good feedback, nice customer service and that if you can see that really love music not only as a business like a lot of people in Discogs.

[@NTXVinyl]

Amen to all that! 🙏🏻

[@notthebannerboys]

My favorite was to put "Limited to 300 copies" on the back and then press 1000. ;) Everybody's happy.

[@NTXVinyl]

Boooo to that!