Vinyl Records
A vinyl record is a music disc with spiral grooves from the edge to the center and stores analog sound. Some albums are renowned for their included album art.
When were vinyl records common?The record format was commercially available in the 1920s. They were the preferred sound source until compact discs became more prevalent. Vinyl albums continue to be issued by some artists. The vinyl collectible market remains healthy.
How are vinyl records played?You will need a record player. A record player has a turntable and a stylus with a needle on one end. Attach powered speakers to the player, place your record on the turntable, and position the needle at the outer edge of the album.
How are vinyl music records cleaned and preserved?The dark areas of the record contains the audio tracks. Avoid touching the playing area. Hold a record by placing your thumb on the record's edge and place the rest of your fingers upon the center label. Use two hands when placing a record on the turntable.
Records should be cleaned before and after they are played. Brush a carbon fiber or a soft microfiber cloth over the playing area. Stack albums vertically or upright on their edges. Do not store them horizontally one of top of the other. Use polyethylene sleeves to protect the album cover and disc. Store vinyls in a dry place at room temperature.
What makes a vinyl record collectible?Several factors determine if an album is collectible. These factors are rarity, demand, and history.
Vinyl records are considered rare if only a limited number were ever made or contain unique material. For example, Tommy Johnson's blues '78 record called "Alcohol and Jake Blues" is a collectible item because only three copies are known to exist.
Like fashion, past musical stylings such as disco can become admired long after they hit their peak. Some musical acts remain admired and in demand.
Among music aficionados, albums with a cultural context may be valuable. Earlier examples of a specific genre can be rare and appreciated as a historical artifact. The commercial "That's All Right" single by Sun Records for the then-unknown Elvis Presley is a highly sought-after 45 vinyl. Since records in the 45 format are rarely produced, it's an additional reason for being collectible.
Vinyl albums are rated as follows: Mint, Very good plus, Very good, Good plus, Good, Fair, and Poor. The rating reflects sound quality, so a mint album will sound and look nearly the same as when it was new.