Guide to Buying Old Vinyl Records
Not all vintage or antique record collections are built the same way, and there can be subtle differences between a record that’s worth a mint and those that are practically worthless. Of course, for others, it may not be about the monetary value of the record but the emotional connection that comes from re-discovering forgotten favorites.
So, if you’re new to the world of antique or vintage records or are looking to add to your current collection, check out some of our tips below. Our goal is to help you build the perfect collection based on the purpose of your search and all while keeping the search fun and meaningful to you.
Think About Your Purpose
The first thing to consider when you begin your search is why you’re doing it. Maybe it is about finding the hidden gem that can lead to significant profit. You may prefer to rebuild a collection similar to what you had as a youth. That is, you may cherish the emotional connection and memories more than what you can sell the records for on eBay. Perhaps your search isn’t about any of that, and you simply want to listen to great records on high-quality vinyl.
Your purpose is important because it can affect what exactly you’re looking for. Looking to add something rare to your collection may mean that you’re on the hunt for limited edition imports or special editions. You may want original pressings as a way of connecting with the original recording. If you only care about the sound quality, you may simply want something undamaged.
Analyze the Cover
You will rarely find an antique record that’s let in mint condition. Bent corners and small tears are extremely common, and as records go from vendor to seller to vendor again, these minor forms of damage shouldn’t necessarily affect your decision to purchase.
As the damage becomes more extensive, though, hesitation should begin to creep into your decision-making process. If the record cover looks uncared for, the disc is likely to be in the same condition. Of course, the reverse is also true: a cover preserved in a plastic outer sleeve and seemingly well cared will carry inside it a record that’s well preserved.
You should also check out the inner sleeve within the cover. Damaged sleeves probably mean the record has been taken out and used quite often.
Examine Scratches and Dust
Again, all antique records will show some sign of age. Dirt and dust, for instance, may just mean the record has sat untouched for some time. A quick wipe should help reveal whether that surface-level detritus hides anything more severe underneath.
You want to pay particular attention to scratches on the vinyl. Those running parallel to the groove can cause the needle to skip, and perpendicular scratches can lead to obnoxious pops that ruin the music listening experience.
Try running your fingers over them if you’re not sure whether a scratch will affect the listening experience. If you don’t feel the scratch, your record player may be unable to notice the damage, too. If you do feel the scratch, though, it’s a sign that the record should be put back in its bin.
Things to Look Out For
While you’re checking out the physical record, there are a few other things to pay attention to:
Not only should the record be in an inner sleeve, but the opening of the inner sleeve also shouldn’t align with the opening of the record cover.
If the sleeve is split or damaged in a way that makes it easy for the record to fall out, it probably has and was probably damaged while doing so.
Water damage is always a bad sign as it likely has led to warping of either the inner sleeve or the record itself.
Speaking of warping, always hold a record up to your eye and ensure it lies flat.
Consider Gradings with a Grain of Salt
When you purchase an antique record, you’ll probably see some sort of grading scale that can range from “poor” to “mint.” Those grades can be practically meaningless without getting your hands on the record itself. That means purchasing antique records online is a definite gamble as even photos of records can be massaged with editing software to make the vinyl look in better condition than it truly is.
If you can’t view the record in person before purchasing, do your research on the vendor and pressing before clicking any “Buy” buttons. You may find that even if the vendor itself is trustworthy, that specific batch of pressing was made with inferior materials or rife with factory issues.
Listen First When Possible
The best way to determine the quality of a record is to listen to it. Most shops offer a turntable for you to check the quality of the record before purchasing, and it would be foolish to not take advantage of this.
However, not all shops offer this, and you may still have to trust your eye and the feel of the record to make your decisions. The tips above should still help you in this situation.
Clean Before Listening
When you’re listening to a record for the first time, though, it’s important to give the vinyl a quick cleaning before placing it on the player. Dust and dirt may affect the listening experience. As mentioned above, though, they can easily be wiped away. If you forgo this step, you may find yourself missing out on a record that deserves to be part of your collection.
Additionally, if you decide not to clean your record first, playing a dirty record could also lead to damage that isn’t so easy to repair. So, always clean first for the best listening and collecting experience.
Find Antique Records at Old Crows Antiques
Antique shopping at Old Crows Antiques in Littleton, CO is an experience unlike any other. We’re a true community of collectors of all antiques, including thousands of vintage vinyl records. Our inventory is constantly changing over, making each visit unique, too.
Beyond our vast collection of vinyl records, we also appraise, buy, and sell a variety of other antique and vintage goods. Call (303) 973-8648, contact us online or stop by our location in Littleton, CO, and make sure to follow us on social media so you can keep updated with our latest news and antique and retro offerings!
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