The Hobby of Vinyl Record Collecting: Every Term You Need To Know | Talking About Records

Dead wax, OBI, unofficial, timing strip, mono - what does it all mean? It can be a bit daunting for new record collectors when attempting to decipher the vast amount of vinyl specific terminology within the hobby. But don't worry, we've got you covered. In this episode of Talking About Records we break down over 50 terms that will help you navigate your record collecting journey.
it's almost like learning a new language. But don't worry, we are here with the cliff notes for all those looking to learn more about the record collecting or brush up
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[@nicolastacey8188]

Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. I’m in the UK and have learnt so much from watching your channel, I’m sure my collection is all the better for it! Cheers 👍

[@NTXVinyl]

Cheers!

[@erics2614]

Great video GI. It's kind of crazy hearing all of these terms that we use back to back like this. It makes you realize how record collecting truly has it's own language.

[@NTXVinyl]

Absolutely!

[@MD-ww4bh]

If you are leaving the shrink wrap on your records, you don't understand the value of the artistic intent of the record cover in the first place. Enjoy holding the item in your hand, reading the notes and enjoying the artwork, the wear that creates tells a valuable story in itself. Quality materials improve with age and with wear.

[@dougreeder8155]

Great video for those new to the hobby. A few other terms I thought of: run in, run-out, inner groove distortion, and analogue.

[@Mrsteve4761]

Fantastically informative and I found myself taking notes of the content. Thank you!

[@NTXVinyl]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dutchcoyote]

beautifully clearly described thanks greetings from the Netherlands

[@NTXVinyl]

You're very welcome!

[@brunohebert1351]

I think the Goldmine Grading could be the subject of an entire video ;-) Pay attention if you're buying online even if people are saying they use the Goldmine grading. Many sellers grade "visually" (luckily they usually mention this). I understand if you're selling hundreds of records it would be a daunting task to do otherwise. But please note that a good looking record does not necessarily mean a good sounding record. I have records that looks really bad (tons of scuffs, hairlines etc) that after a good cleaning plays really well and a few that look pristine (literally) that are borderline unlistenable.. Personally, I always downgrade when I look at a listing. If it says NM I will expect VG+, if it says VG+ I expect VG. That way, less chance to be disappointed. And basically, anything below VG+ I don't even consider as VG to me should not be called VG but more like Average+ but that's just me And always, wash your records before playing even if the vendor mentioned it was cleaned. (unless you know and trust the vendor) I thought they used the word Obi as it is the Japanese word for the kimono belt so since it was a paper belt around the record they called it that way. I didn't know it was an acronym. See we learn new things every day in this hobby. Thank you

[@NTXVinyl]

Yeah...I sure wish I could play-grade albums. But obviously not even remotely possible. If I'm pricing something $100+ (a collectible) and it even has a hint of wear on the LP I will play test....but anything below that range and I have no choice but to rely on the visual.

[@DanielHog13]

Great comments.

[@RichardAdkins]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@pgh45rpms]

Very comprehensive, you covered a lot of ground. I also collect 45-singles, and something that seems unique with them are the stamped engravings in the dead wax, such as Audio Matrix, Nashville Matrix, Bell Sound, Fraankfort Wayne, Sterling, etc. Perhaps you can explain what these are in another video. One thinng I struggled to figure out with 78's -- the end groove in the dead wax is pressed off-center; I think that was to trigger automatic shut offs.

[@ozziegarcia6262]

can you do a history of the main labels, when they started, if they are collected and so on.

[@harryriles8609]

I was going to say the same thing as Roger1881, There are 4 seeds mainly. I have a few 16 rpm and I even have 4 records that are 8 rpm. But I don't have anything to play those 4 on.

[@NTXVinyl]

Yeah I’m aware other speeds exist. Was mainly looking to touch on elements of the hobby that the majority/masses deal with.

[@harryriles8609]

I was pretty sure that you did know about it as a record store owner. I really enjoy your videos. I've been collecting about 4o years and have about 10,000 records. But I still learn something😂

[@NTXVinyl]

@@harryriles8609 wow awesome! Really appreciate you watching.

[@vergevinyl]

Informative Video GI, thank you !

[@NTXVinyl]

My pleasure!

[@millopguy]

Great video. Good job.

[@NTXVinyl]

Glad you liked it!

[@ozziegarcia6262]

very good video.

[@rogerturner1881]

i think that MGM 45's etc ending in numbers ie -1 to -9 are pressing plants for instance 60-XY-125-37-1 = 1960 track xy =MGM's control, 125 =master number, 37 =take, -1 1st pressing plant. On this release they accidentally issued 3 more different takes take 37 is the correct take yet there is a take 23 and this is a much rarer take [i think it could end with -2] Connie Francis did 3 sessions on MY HEART HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN in JULY 1960. there are 3 [-3, -4, -6 and these are the same take which is unknown] further there is a take 49 which has a "Re-4" on the dead wax What does Re stand for [i think it means repress version 4]?

[@jaylongino8225]

Very informative

[@rogerturner1881]

there's mono, stereo, electronic stereo[which was terrible in the 1960's] would like you to do why did they do this when there was true stereo? MGM started stereo in 1958.

[@weirdspins6315]

There are closer to 8 speeds of records. Some classified 78 are actually 80rpm. There are obscure 20 inch discs that ran up to 140rpm. 16 rpm and 8rpm are out there but we're used mostly for muzak or recorded books for the disabled.

[@turntablesrockmyworld9315]

Yup, I had an old turntable that also had the 16 rpm speed; I believe, that was used mainly for sales/marketing records.

[@msg563]

You should also mention cue burn

[@NTXVinyl]

Good call! Dont hear of that one much these days

[@leeving4912]

Obi means sash or band in Japanese. It's not an acronym - no need for it to be capitalized.

[@NTXVinyl]

Oh wow, really? I thought it stood for Outer Band Insert. But that’s good to know

[@jones4051]

I was about to comment the same thing, haha! In Japanese: 帯

[@leeving4912]

And those "obi's" on VMP and Mondo releases are called "Faux-bi's"

[@NTXVinyl]

Seriously?!? 🤣

[@leeving4912]

@@NTXVinyl as in fake obi - since they aren't a sash or band around the product.

[@VinylandKicks86]

Sup! i call all non-Japanese record strips a faux-bi.

[@turntablesrockmyworld9315]

I am still confused over "original" pressing actually is, and to my interpretation all these years, it just one that is not a reissue. So a first issue is an original issue, and a repress at-the-time is still an original pressing. The problem comes when we consider releases back in the day; large first pressings/releases may be done at 2 or 4 different plants at the same time with different masters. So which of the 3 or 4 is the first pressing since they are all pressed using different pressing masters?

[@NTXVinyl]

Yeah every pressing is unique. Like you said, an "original" can be defined many different ways. And often times, there's literally no way to even determine a "first" pressing versus one that got repressed 1-2 years later. Lots of times the stampers are reused for the first several pressings, making them all identical

[@rogerturner1881]

Actually there are 4 speeds 16rpm[a very rare speed which i have one with 24 tracks from, South Africa, 33.3, 45,78, . 78rpm ended in late 1959 in US and UK, in India it ended in 1965.

[@garyharper2943]

The best collectors have only keeper copies and never listen to them for fear of wear.😂

[@NTXVinyl]

Yuck. Made to be played.