Do You Feel Sorry For Northern Soul Collectors Starting Out

[Kjw]

Here are a few comparisions.

 

£20 in December 1974 = £171 today

 

£20 in December 1977 = £106.12 today

 

£20 in December 1979 = £83.51 today

 

£20 in December 1984 = £55.77 today

 

£20 in December 1989 = £42.66 today

 

£20 in December 1994 = £34.71 today

 

 

I actually expected 20 on the 70s to be worth quite a bit more. I'd imagine in 1974 that wasnt a million miles away from the average weekly wage. (Will ask a colleague to find that out for me.)

 

 

So the copy of James Fountain that sold for £170 in 1977 was way overpriced - just over £900 in today's money

[KevH]

So the copy of James Fountain that sold for £170 in 1977 was way overpriced - just over £900 in today's money

 

Wasn't it the biggest tune in the country at the time though Kev,a one-off.? £900's about right.

[Russ Vickers]

Yes it was & it was re issued a few weeks later...

 

Russ

[Steve S 60]

Yes it was & it was re issued a few weeks later...

 

Russ

 

Discussed on "This England" (18mins 51).

[Dave Moore]

So the copy of James Fountain that sold for £170 in 1977 was way overpriced - just over £900 in today's money

 

Overpriced? Collecting has sadly become so 'DJ' driven now that if you were to compare a current one off that packs a dance floor now you'd be looking at a fair amount more than 900 I'd wager. Sandy Golden being a good example. Jeeze, you're averagely rare item that's been thrashed to death is usually now a 4 figure price or is auctioned. 

 

Probably more 'DJs' now than collectors and I can't see that changing anytime soon.

 

The whole dynamic has changed beyond recognition and there are so many variables that are involved that a simple comparison in prices (including inflation) doesn't tell anywhere near the whole story.  

 

But back to the question.... Nah, younger or older. Less there are, more chance I have of completing my own collection!    

 

Regards,

 

Dave

[DeltaSouth]

we used to pay $4 entry fee to see percy sledge years ago.

 

i saw ray charles play live in a honky tonk here in town. i think it was $18?

so long ago, it is hard to recall that. it wasn't much, is the point.

 

same with 70s era artists such as bonnie raitt, dr john or the funky meters.

we'd go see them at tip's in new orleans for a few bone$. it never cost much, is the point.

 

i miss those prices.

[Russ Vickers]

Discussed on "This England" (18mins 51).

 

OMG yes, I must have made a mental note of that some how, BTBH had totally forgotten !!!

 

Russ

[Labeat]

I used to treck down to F L Moores in the early 70's when Northern was just kicking off,

I was still focused on British and picked the odd bits up, but then Northern gripped me.... whoooar.... fantastic.

We certainly have a lot to thank John Anderson for (and others)

[Sceneman]

one that slipped thru the net and should have been a monster was shirley and the shirells 'look what you dont to my heart ' from 1969 .

that came  out in the depths of the UK soul slump and when you look on popsike you find nothing !

that was one i missed at the time due i guess to little or no promotion ,and a B side too.

so perceptions change over the years .why was it chucked on the B side ?

we consider it a monster now with all the exceptional attributes that a NS single should have but then it was missed by a mile .

mind boggling  i know  but then the stations were playing freda payne and 'band of gold 'instead .

[Quinvy]

If they are looking for "same old, same old" then yeah, could work out really expensive, however, if they have an "ear" for a sound then there has never been a better time to buy records, forget the main dealers, there are great records for sale on here for example every day, for absolute bargain prices, wouldn't cost that much to build a nice collection up at all

 

Kev

Here we go again........if they were any good I think they would have been played by now don't you? That's why all the tunes put up on this forum are either well known, or very average. If you had a real kicking tune that wasn't known, you'd be covering it up, not sticking it up on a public forum.

If any youngsters are starting to collect records, they are going to want to own the records that move them. Not a load of third rate dirge that no bugger wants.

[Kev Cane]

Here we go again........if they were any good I think they would have been played by now don't you? That's why all the tunes put up on this forum are either well known, or very average. If you had a real kicking tune that wasn't known, you'd be covering it up, not sticking it up on a public forum.

If any youngsters are starting to collect records, they are going to want to own the records that move them. Not a load of third rate dirge that no bugger wants.

Welcome to your opinion, I don't share it, end of

 

Kev

[Modernsoulsucks]

Aren't we at cross purposes here ?

Kev is right in that there are lots of good cheap records available to build up a collection.

Phil is right in that there aren't any good cheap tunes [unless you're very lucky] that are going to become the next Salvadors or Don Gardner.

I didn't think Kev was suggesting you then go on to dj with them as if they were the next set of rarities.

I am sometimes surprised at what people think are good nowadays or what is underplayed. Sceneman above, and no offence, suggests Shirelles was ignored when I remember it as a youth club record. I'd guess most embryonic NS fan had a copy back in 68/69.

ROD

[Sceneman]

A lot of this  pricy stuff wouldn't have been able to compete with all the other good 45s that were issued at the same time back when ,it was just mediocre ,it wouldn't have got into the Billboard 100 of the time .but wind the clock forward 50 years and it has achieved some weird cache and kudos by virtue of the fact they didn't sell many at the time and there's not many copies around.

Edited January 31, 2014 by sceneman

[Carty]

 I have continued finding fantastic stuff that is new( to me)  on this forum amongst other places , Also, for a youngster starting off , is it not all new ( to them)  ?                                                                                                                                                                   They dont have the personal experience at that stage of feeling that a song is played out , apart from older people telling them that it is .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Imagine hearing Williams and Watson, Jackie Edwards ,Willie Tee  etc, etc, for the first time , would it matter if people were saying they are  played out if you really liked them ?  If so , i suspect they are more interested in fitting in than having a true appreciation of the music .                                                                                                                                                                                                                  One of the great gifts of getting older ( and there dosent seem to be many ) is the decreasing concern of how you are percieved by other people.

[Kev Cane]

Aren't we at cross purposes here ?

Kev is right in that there are lots of good cheap records available to build up a collection.

Phil is right in that there aren't any good cheap tunes [unless you're very lucky] that are going to become the next Salvadors or Don Gardner.

I didn't think Kev was suggesting you then go on to dj with them as if they were the next set of rarities.

I am sometimes surprised at what people think are good nowadays or what is underplayed. Sceneman above, and no offence, suggests Shirelles was ignored when I remember it as a youth club record. I'd guess most embryonic NS fan had a copy back in 68/69.

ROD

Nail on the head Rod, somebody coming into it fresh is a lucky guy or gal I think, if records like Showplace Otis Clay, Tired of being lonely, Sharpees, (2 on the same label for starters) Ultimations, Would I do it over and on and on and on don't do it for you, well, the conversation is over as I am concerned, all for buttons, people like Des Parker (Soul Inc) sell gems for the price of a pint or two on here in my opinion, was hoping this thing wouldn't rear up again, but there you go

 

Kev

[Kev Cane]

 I have continued finding fantastic stuff that is new( to me)  on this forum amongst other places , Also, for a youngster starting off , is it not all new ( to them)  ?                                                                                                                                                                   They dont have the personal experience at that stage of feeling that a song is played out , apart from older people telling them that it is .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Imagine hearing Williams and Watson, Jackie Edwards ,Willie Tee  etc, etc, for the first time , would it matter if people were saying they are  played out if you really liked them ?  If so , i suspect they are more interested in fitting in than having a true appreciation of the music .                                                                                                                                                                                                                  One of the great gifts of getting older ( and there dosent seem to be many ) is the decreasing concern of how you are percieved by other people.

Nail on the head again, fantastic post

 

Kev

[Modernsoulsucks]

Yes Des. Only guy I know who has a threepence section.

My only concern really with these guys building a collection is that some of the cheap stuff should be even cheaper.

ROD

[Britmusicsoulfan]

I was late to the soul collecting 45 scene, just 5 years ago August.  However, I was fortunate enough to trade for a lot of the dearer records (I had non-soul 45s to offer), otherwise I wouldn't own them.  The collection has grown nicely, but a lot of the records I want are just out of my reach, so I anticipate the collection will grow much slower than I would prefer.  I am collecting only originals and holding out for M/M- or VG+ copies only if I can.  For the dearer ones like Larry Clinton and the like, I'm content with my reissues.  Five years on, I don't think I could start right now from 0 records.

[Frankie Crocker]

No way. I feel rather envious as the hard work of digging up the records has been done so collectors only need to source them and transfer funds. New collectors do not even need to travel to the USA. The staggering volume of excellent, very good and ordinary tunes that awaits collectors will make the journey more than worthwhile. The real dilemma is for the wannabe DJ - spend big to get famous or collect for the love of the music? And looking ahead 20-30 years, most of the rarest and most desirable tunes on the planet will be handed down to the next generation, possibly at reduced prices...

[Quinvy]

We maybe talking at cross purposes here then, as I have only ever collected dance music that has blown me away. I used to collect records to listen to when I was very young, but as soon as I had experienced "northern" then I never wanted to own anything else.

If by collecting records you mean to listen to while relaxing, then that's something I would never do. Records are for playing out, anything else you can hear on Cd or any other modern method.

I bought records to Dj with, otherwise I would never have been able to spend the amount of time and money that I did. If you don't buy records to Dj with, then what's the point?

[Benji]

Indeed here we go again. You posting the same old cr*p.. Give it a rest, will you?

 

Here we go again........if they were any good I think they would have been played by now don't you? That's why all the tunes put up on this forum are either well known, or very average. If you had a real kicking tune that wasn't known, you'd be covering it up, not sticking it up on a public forum.

If any youngsters are starting to collect records, they are going to want to own the records that move them. Not a load of third rate dirge that no bugger wants.

 

 

We maybe talking at cross purposes here then, as I have only ever collected dance music that has blown me away. I used to collect records to listen to when I was very young, but as soon as I had experienced "northern" then I never wanted to own anything else.

If by collecting records you mean to listen to while relaxing, then that's something I would never do. Records are for playing out, anything else you can hear on Cd or any other modern method.

I bought records to Dj with, otherwise I would never have been able to spend the amount of time and money that I did. If you don't buy records to Dj with, then what's the point?

 

[Quinvy]

Life is all about opinions Benji. I'm just expressing mine. I like to be involved in a heated debate, I never get personal. Unfortunately the smileys have disappeared on my iPad again, so I can't use them to lighten the tone. No offence intended on my part, just opinionated debate. Smiley.

[Steve L]

We maybe talking at cross purposes here then, as I have only ever collected dance music that has blown me away. I used to collect records to listen to when I was very young, but as soon as I had experienced "northern" then I never wanted to own anything else.

If by collecting records you mean to listen to while relaxing, then that's something I would never do. Records are for playing out, anything else you can hear on Cd or any other modern method.

I bought records to Dj with, otherwise I would never have been able to spend the amount of time and money that I did. If you don't buy records to Dj with, then what's the point?

Phil 99% of records bought over the last 45+ years relating to the northern scene haven't been bought to DJ with surely you know that?

Most have been bought for the purpose of collecting and playing at home, whats wrong with that?

[Guest son of stan]

_{When I started out (1980s) with a bit of nouse and legwork, it was still very possible to pick up very decent records for only a quid or so a pop. So many sources for records where the sellers had no clue about the sort of thing I like and 'scene' prices.....}

 

_{Compared to that, paying top dollar has always lacked appeal.}

 

_{Carried on like that for years, buying other sorts of obscure music as well, but I basically packed in collecting when that side of it died.}

 

_{I can possibly pinpoint that moment to about 8 years ago when, after spending a couple of hours going through some joke of a dealer's unsorted, unpriced, largely unsellable stock, I took 3 LPs up to the counter, nothing amazing..Then the fella starts googling to 'find out the price'...Then refused to sell me one because he couldn't find it. Nah. Game over.}

 

_{Anyway sorry to ramble. Has anyone found anything decent 'in the wild' recently?}

Edited February 1, 2014 by son of stan

[Frankie Crocker]

We maybe talking at cross purposes here then, as I have only ever collected dance music that has blown me away. I used to collect records to listen to when I was very young, but as soon as I had experienced "northern" then I never wanted to own anything else.

If by collecting records you mean to listen to while relaxing, then that's something I would never do. Records are for playing out, anything else you can hear on Cd or any other modern method.

I bought records to Dj with, otherwise I would never have been able to spend the amount of time and money that I did. If you don't buy records to Dj with, then what's the point?

Hi there Quinvy. Horses for courses... Most of us Northern fans listen to music in the house. Some of us have mates round for a session. Loads of us still play mix-tapes and CD's in the house and car. Many of us use commercial CD's to identify the vinyl tracks to seek out. As you're in the house more than at a soul venue, it makes sense to indulge yourself, especially as it's an ongoing quest for many of us. That's why some of us are sitting on libraries of good music, it just happened along the way...

Yesterday a copy of Sunny And The Sunliners 'If I Could See You Now' on Key Loc arrived. I have this on RPR, LP, CD and mix tape but even the missus was singing along with it, probably 'cos she's heard it dozens of times in 30 years. Well, it sounded brilliant, so clear, and every instrument identifiable it was like being in the studio with them. On a high quality deck, near-mint records are an unbeatable experience.

Nothing wrong with having a box of special sounds to DJ with but the committed addicts, myself included, need the best records from the past to look back over occasionally and a supply of fresh sounds that provide enjoyment, even though they may never get the exposure they deserve.

[Quinvy]

I agree with all your points, but I don't have the disposable income to be able to collect rare vinyl, and I don't have the time or space required to be able to play vinyl on a good quality system. I totally agree that the sound of minty condition vinyl on a good system is the ultimate listening experience, and if money was no object then that would be my goal.

 

In my own personal opinion, the playing of rare soul vinyl at home is partly responsible for some truly terrible Dj spots. What sounds good at home and what gets people up and dancing aren't the same thing.

[Guest]

i can remember when lager was a girls drink 

It still is 

[Guest blackbeesoulclub]

When I first started collecting I used to think spending £30 on a record was a massive deal...I could have only dreamt of having all of the classics...then you get sucked in further and before you know it you have records of £500+

I gave up on chasing classics quite quickly as every man and his dog has them and plays them to death...so will never set yourself apart chasing the big boys with all the cash.

I dig like hell to find my records whether it's a fiver or a grand, I want it to be fresh to the dancers ears and to make them think...'WHAT WAS THAT!!!'

I have sold a lot of my big ticket classics to fund new music and I'm glad I did really.

It is very hard starting out but you will soon find out whether it's for you or not when you live on beans for a month because you spent all your hard earned on 'that record'

Edited February 2, 2014 by blackbeesoulclub

[Quinvy]

When I first started collecting I used to think spending £30 on a record was a massive deal...I could have only dreamt of having all of the classics...then you get sucked in further and before you know it you have records of £500+

I gave up on chasing classics quite quickly as every man and his dog has them and plays them to death...so will never set yourself apart chasing the big boys with all the cash.

I dig like hell to find my records whether it's a fiver or a grand, I want it to be fresh to the dancers ears and to make them think...'WHAT WAS THAT!!!'

I have sold a lot of my big ticket classics to fund new music and I'm glad I did really.

It is very hard starting out but you will soon find out whether it's for you or not when you live on beans for a month because you spent all your hard earned on 'that record'

 

I agree wholeheartedly with your post, I think most of us who have been forward thinking throughout the years have gone through the same process that you are currently undertaking. The problems you will realise a few years down the line are these:

 

1. People have been going through the same process as you since the late 70's early 80's and will say things like "The tunes you are playing are all oldies, we were playing them in [add year of choice]"

2. At some point you will start to struggle to find anything new to you that has any quality. Because like I already stated, many have gone before you and will have tried them out at one time or another.

3. If you decide to move the goalposts and start to play other types of music i.e. Funk, R&B, Titty f***ing shakers or any other crap masquerading as northern, then good luck to you.

4. Unlike the majority on this forum I am of the opinion that there are a finite number of top quality 60's records that fit in the hard to define category of northern soul. That number was reached long ago. The scene resembles a patient on 24 hours in A&E. Laid on a gurney with tubes and wires coming out of every part of it's body, a small team of determined but sadly delusional people giving electric shocks and CPU in a vein attempt to start the scenes heart again.

 

Enjoy.   

Edited February 2, 2014 by Quinvy

[Sceneman]

in the late 60s when flowerpower came along you couldnt give away soul records as they were SO out of fashion with the old hippy boys ,surprising how times change over the years .

 

these unfound gems are obscure because they were too mediocre with the classics in many cases of the times ,competition was too fierce.

now new hunters are listening to cheapo obscure 45s kidding themselves they found a lost gem when in fact its just mediocre cheapo 45 s

[Linda4me]

Don't buy British unless you've won the lottery 

[Peter99]

I had some nicked, and almost sold up - most of the decent stuff years ago. I started to buy a few bits and bobs again last year - I'm not even sure you could call it a collection yet.

 

Anyway, if anyone wants to feel sorry for me then you can send me some of your collection if it makes you feel better. Alternatively, I'll accept cash (at senders own risk), cheques or PayPal.

 

Thanks

 

Peter

 

[Guest sharmo 1]

I think if I was to start collecting again now , I'd set a budget and stick to it. I'd buy every record that I liked five quid and under.Then every record I liked ten quid and under ect , ect. It's never been a better time to start to collect what with Ebay ect. unless i was in a high paid job or successful business chap and lived with my parents without any children or anything I'd steer clear of the rariety's  would go for it's cheapest format , if it's cheaper on American I'd buy that cheaper on british I'd buy that. so no i don't feel sorry for new collectors at all the worlds their oyster lads.

[Peter99]

sharmo 1, on 02 Feb 2014 - 6:10 PM, said:

I think if I was to start collecting again now , I'd set a budget and stick to it. I'd buy every record that I liked five quid and under.Then every record I liked ten quid and under ect , ect. It's never been a better time to start to collect what with Ebay ect. unless i was in a high paid job or successful business chap and lived with my parents without any children or anything I'd steer clear of the rariety's  would go for it's cheapest format , if it's cheaper on American I'd buy that cheaper on british I'd buy that. so no i don't feel sorry for new collectors at all the worlds their oyster lads.

It's back to oft stated truism - plenty of absolutely brilliant soul music to purchase cheap isn't there Simon. There's been more than a few threads about it and its true - I never have bought into the philosophy of if it ain't super rare and or shed loads of cash it isn't any good. There's load of expensive shit records knocking round - some of them are that bad you'd struggle to use the term soul in the same breath.

 

Peter

[Kev Cane]

It's back to oft stated truism - plenty of absolutely brilliant soul music to purchase cheap isn't there Simon. There's been more than a few threads about it and its true - I never have bought into the philosophy of if it ain't super rare and or shed loads of cash it isn't any good. There's load of expensive shit records knocking round - some of them are that bad you'd struggle to use the term soul in the same breath.

 

Peter

Well said Peter and Simon, been banging my head against a brick wall about this for too long now

 

Kev

[Russ Vickers]

When I first started collecting I used to think spending £30 on a record was a massive deal...I could have only dreamt of having all of the classics...then you get sucked in further and before you know it you have records of £500+

I gave up on chasing classics quite quickly as every man and his dog has them and plays them to death...so will never set yourself apart chasing the big boys with all the cash.

I dig like hell to find my records whether it's a fiver or a grand, I want it to be fresh to the dancers ears and to make them think...'WHAT WAS THAT!!!'

I have sold a lot of my big ticket classics to fund new music and I'm glad I did really.

It is very hard starting out but you will soon find out whether it's for you or not when you live on beans for a month because you spent all your hard earned on 'that record'

Ab so feckin lutely...I applaud you, that's what its all about mate, take no notice of the doom mongers, they've been saying the same thing since the Wheel, Mecca, Torch, Wigan closed (add your own defunct club of choice)...I fookin love your attitude & that is the pumping heart of this scene YOU n people like YOU, never stop feelin it my friend...whilst there is a soulful breath in my body, I will support the likes of you, because that's what this beautiful scene is about...PASSION for soulful black dance music...I think Phil is trying to single handedly depress the crap outta us all, get f*ck out n dance Phil...have some joy my friend & encouragement for those that are still mad for it...I for one would love to see ya oot n aboot Phil, ya miserable sod...get ya sen to Lifeline, then ya can really rip the piss out of a set....mine  you've gotta lot to enjoy Phil, get out n enjoy it.... 

[Guest sharmo 1]

It's back to oft stated truism - plenty of absolutely brilliant soul music to purchase cheap isn't there Simon. There's been more than a few threads about it and its true - I never have bought into the philosophy of if it ain't super rare and or shed loads of cash it isn't any good. There's load of expensive shit records knocking round - some of them are that bad you'd struggle to use the term soul in the same breath.

 

Peter

well your right on that one Peter .

E.G.= Joe simon ....When...@ £5.00

..........moments......nine times....Same.

.........Otis Clay ......Messing with my mind.....same.

.........norman Connors.....Once I've been there.....same.

.........Boogie man orch.....Lady, lady , lady..Same.

..........Barbara Mercer.....Hey......Same.

..........tyrone davis...........There it is....same.

..........Omni .....................Key's to the city..Same.

 

About thirty quid for them , a couple of pence more for some new sleeves and that's it the start of a mixed and varied collection.

[Russ Vickers]

in the late 60s when flowerpower came along you couldnt give away soul records as they were SO out of fashion with the old hippy boys ,surprising how times change over the years .

 

these unfound gems are obscure because they were too mediocre with the classics in many cases of the times ,competition was too fierce.

now new hunters are listening to cheapo obscure 45s kidding themselves they found a lost gem when in fact its just mediocre cheapo 45 s

 

What the f8ck are you on mate....reality check, its a Rare Soul Scene, that's the bloody point innit....OMG somebody help me please, what with you n my good friend Phil trying to do my head in, Sunday nights a real barrel of laffs !!!

[Quinvy]

Come on Russ you'd be bored s***less without me stirring the pot. 

 

I think you don't want to give up on a scene that has been part of your life for so long. You obviously love the social aspect and have an amazing appetite for all genres of black music. 

 

It's not for me though mate. If there was anywhere playing new quality sixties I'd be there like a shot. As would hundreds of other people who have left the scene reluctantly, as the excitement of hearing the next must have tune have sadly long gone.

 

I wish you well my friend, and admire your passion. 

[Swifty]

well your right on that one Peter .

E.G.= Joe simon ....When...@ £5.00

..........moments......nine times....Same.

.........Otis Clay ......Messing with my mind.....same.

.........norman Connors.....Once I've been there.....same.

.........Boogie man orch.....Lady, lady , lady..Same.

..........Barbara Mercer.....Hey......Same.

..........tyrone davis...........There it is....same.

..........Omni .....................Key's to the city..Same.

 

About thirty quid for them , a couple of pence more for some new sleeves and that's it the start of a mixed and varied collection.

Thanks captain , that's fooked me ebay sales up then   

[Russ Vickers]

Come on Russ you'd be bored s***less without me stirring the pot. 

 

I think you don't want to give up on a scene that has been part of your life for so long. You obviously love the social aspect and have an amazing appetite for all genres of black music. 

 

It's not for me though mate. If there was anywhere playing new quality sixties I'd be there like a shot. As would hundreds of other people who have left the scene reluctantly, as the excitement of hearing the next must have tune have sadly long gone.

 

I wish you well my friend, and admire your passion. 

Get ya sen to Lifeline mate n I'll buy you a pint or 6 & we can have a right old craic, there's a lot of people who would love to see you n you would bloody love it, if there wasn't still places like Lifeline n such, I wouldn't keep going for the sake of it trust me mate...newies n great under heard oldies are the thing that keeps it fresh for me, I wont go into the Modern n Funkier side of things, let alone xover, as that really isn't your thing & I respect that, but there is still some good places to dance & listen to inspiring stuff...your promotion inspired me as well Phil & I have fond memories of Burnley on the occasions we made the trek....I think you could still make a great contribution too....please consider at least one good nighter mate, if you get the right night I think it would really kick start your soul mojo again...

 

Hope to see ya soon mate

 

Russ

[Chalky]

No one has heard everything, that includes Phil.  The topic is about collecting isn't it, not DJing?  Either way there are plenty of hidden, forgotten and ignored gems that won't break the bank.  Throughout the history of the scene many records were out of the reach of the ordinary collector, price not always the issue but where you were on the pecking order with many of the top sounds never getting further than the top few DJ's at the time.  Now at least most of the 45's that come to market everyone has a chance at if they have the money that is, they don't disappear to a select few.

 

Of course the large majority of traditional northern soul dancers have been found, what does one expect after the USA has been scoured for 40 odd years.  But that isn't to say that things are still turning up now and then and that people are turning to the many 45's ignored when they once had a large pool of records to choose from.  Tastes have developed and matured.

 

Plenty of venues thriving on these records so it isn't all doom and gloom.  I will agree with Phil that the nighter scene is on life support.  Too many offer nothing but what has been hammered to death already, formulaic DJing with no imagination, all following what the others are doing. 

 

But as far as collecting goes, plenty to satisfy all bank balances IMO.

Edited February 3, 2014 by chalky

[Chalky]

Collectors today have it easy.  They don't even have to get out of their chair.  No digging through box after box at venues, learning from your mistakes, learning what was what, boot, original pressing and so on, usually through mistakes s not everyone was very helpful.  Today they just ask a question on the likes of this site, they don't have to learn anything as the hard work has been dome for them.

[Labeat]

ATTENTION

 

To any prospective young collectors.... or wannabe dj's new to the scene....

Do your homework, look up venues that have two rooms.... 1 room for oldies another for alternative (soul) styles.

It is YOUR decision, let no-one convince you, but this takes time, it isn't an overnight phenomenon.

 

There, that's it, my todays philosophy.... ha

[Steve S 60]

Just a query, but do the Distance Selling Regulations cover the purchase of records over the internet?  Apologies if this is in the wrong thread, but I thought it might be relevant, as it's something that has only become prominent with the advent of e-commerce, and will certainly affect any collector starting out.

[KevH]

Collectors today have it easy.  They don't even have to get out of their chair.  No digging through box after box at venues, learning from your mistakes, learning what was what, boot, original pressing and so on, usually through mistakes s not everyone was very helpful.  Today they just ask a question on the likes of this site, they don't have to learn anything as the hard work has been dome for them.

 

A lot of truth in that Chalky.At the top end of the market,there seem to be more collectors than rare tunes,so snagging that elusive record is harder.

Of course contacts, and knowing who to ask or go to helps,but that doesn't always equal "knowledge". 

[Pete S]

Wasn't it the biggest tune in the country at the time though Kev,a one-off.? £900's about right.

 

Might have been on the East Coast and at Blackpool but where it mattered it barely got a look in, only person I ever heard play it was John Manship doing a guest spot at Wolves Civic in 1976 and we all went - what, is that it?

[davidwapples]

With ebay  , youtube , sound files galore and price guides / label discographies online at the click of a button , millions of sellers and forums to ask questions i feel for the new collectors , never knowing what its like to own a crap record , gettting hundreds of tunes on a disc for the cost of a pint of stella from a mate

 

Not like having to go to old grotty record shops and sift through 1000's of crap tunes to find something slightly different , buying blind of mailing lists , ringing up to find the record has gone , paying well over the odds for a record , buying boot that you told was an original , buying records that you were told were classic oldies only to find they were not etc.

 

If i had all the money that i had spent on records then , id spend it on records now and have better ones

[Raremusicdirect]

Hard to feel sorry for anyone doing something out of choice.

 

Technology has made it far easier to look for records without traveling.  However that same technology means almost anyone can find values on records with a few simple searches. There are also all the research and guide books.  Buyers and perhaps more importantly Sellers can quickly be aware of market rates.

 

Finding bargains is therefore more challenging;  unless you are maybe able to spend time in USA searching thrift stores and yard sales etc ie direct at source, prior record research.  In this arena I still hear of 45s picked up of $ 1 a time......

 

As the thread focused on collecting, there will be loads and loads of 45s that are not sought by djs and if they focus on those many can still be picked up cheap in the £ 1 - £ 10 mark.

 

As collecting implies complete runs of labels, at some point they will have to start looking at the bigger (wanted by dj's) tunes on the label and they will cost. You may get lucky on the odd one but you are unlikely to get lucky on loads... When I started out with Motown and related, this was true then and holds now........

 

So collectors can still build something great over time, but it takes time and the gaps are likely to be the rarer (more sought after) high value stuff......

 

Of course it all depends what style and era the collector focus is on, 60ts will be tougher than late 70ts as we know..........If you like a broad range collect things that are not in vogue.............

[Pete S]

With all the easy ways of finding out about records, what they are worth, how many copies there are etc, who on earth bids in online auctions and pays 10 times more for a record than if they'd bought it off here - and why?