How long will it be before the records we collect lose their current value? I say this because like many on this forum I have a healthy collection of rare vinyl records, I personally don't sell, I view myself as a collector, but I am interested in the value of the medium. Getting to the crux of my argument, in say 25 years time I'll be nearly 70, I think it's fair to say that a lot of soul collectors will not even be living in that distant future, and those that are won't even know what F*****g day it is !

I just cannot see a demand for the records purely on the grounds that there won't be the numbers (people) to even garner an interest, so am I right in believing that in 2035 that EBay will see "Richard Caiton" on "Uptite" at a "buy it now" for the price of two bottles of "Pale Ale"?

Edited September 13, 200816 yr by Brett F

  Brett F said:

How long will it be before the records we collect lose their current value? I say this because like many on this forum I have a healthy collection of rare vinyl records, I personally don't sell, I view myself as a collector, but I am interested in the value of the medium. Getting to the crux of my argument, in say 25 years time I'll be nearly 70, I think it's fair to say that a lot of soul collectors will not even be living in that distant future, and those that are won't even know what F*****g day it is !

I just cannot see a demand for the records purely on the grounds that there won't be the numbers (people) to even garner an interest, so am I right in believing that in 2035 that EBay will see "Richard Caiton" on "Uptite" at a buy it know for the price of two bottles of "Pale Ale"?

Hi Brett 25 years time 2 bottles of pale ale will be about £75.00 so at least you will see some return on your investments,

Remember investments can go up as well as down

mark

  Brett F said:

How long will it be before the records we collect lose their current value? I say this because like many on this forum I have a healthy collection of rare vinyl records, I personally don't sell, I view myself as a collector, but I am interested in the value of the medium. Getting to the crux of my argument, in say 25 years time I'll be nearly 70, I think it's fair to say that a lot of soul collectors will not even be living in that distant future, and those that are won't even know what F*****g day it is !

I just cannot see a demand for the records purely on the grounds that there won't be the numbers (people) to even garner an interest, so am I right in believing that in 2035 that EBay will see "Richard Caiton" on "Uptite" at a buy it know for the price of two bottles of "Pale Ale"?

Always an interesting question which has raised it's head before. 25 years is a long time - what will your car, 32" Sony TV, Fridge Freezer etc be worth in 25 years? Absolutely nothing because they are consumable items, purchased for their use and enjoyment over a limited lifespan and not as investments for the future. That is the way I have always regarded my records....having said that I don't own any of the 'big ticket' sounds - if I did I may be more concerned for future values

Hi fella i'd be carefull you may start a slump in record market saying something like that

On a different note had this conversation a few times with various people Dj's and Collecters and the answer which seems to come up over and over again , a records worth what someones willing to pay for it ? but in years to come hopefully there is a quite a few people still appreciate Soul music enough to pay prices for treasured vinyl

  realsoulfan said:

Hi fella i'd be carefull you may start a slump in record market saying something like that

On a different note had this conversation a few times with various people Dj's and Collecters and the answer which seems to come up over and over again , a records worth what someones willing to pay for it ? but in years to come hopefully there is a quite a few people still appreciate Soul music enough to pay prices for treasured vinyl

Yeah good points, i just don't see a genuine interest beyond our age group (late thirties and up), yeah there are a few younger fans, but not in the numbers to sustain a continuity like in the current and previous years.

I used value more as a tongue in cheek comment, but i actually wonder about what will indeed happen in all those years time.

Edited September 13, 200816 yr by Brett F

  Brett F said:

How long will it be before the records we collect lose their current value? I say this because like many on this forum I have a healthy collection of rare vinyl records, I personally don't sell, I view myself as a collector, but I am interested in the value of the medium. Getting to the crux of my argument, in say 25 years time I'll be nearly 70, I think it's fair to say that a lot of soul collectors will not even be living in that distant future, and those that are won't even know what F*****g day it is !

I just cannot see a demand for the records purely on the grounds that there won't be the numbers (people) to even garner an interest, so am I right in believing that in 2035 that EBay will see "Richard Caiton" on "Uptite" at a "buy it now" for the price of two bottles of "Pale Ale"?

All anyone can hope for is to be still enjoying you collection at 70 & if it turns out that you don't know what day it is you would not care a flying F^*k about the price!.............at the end of the day you would of had more than your money's worth from the joy of listening to them IMO

Over the past three or four years I've moved on some so called big ticket items with no regrets, in that time I've also picked up as many records as I've sold, I think the best way to value your collection is on musical content and quality rather than the price tag or current high selling prices on some records, records are for playing and enjoying and should not be treated as an investment or pension plan, having a pretty solid collection still of mid priced records and some bigger ticket items I dread to think of the current market value, still this only comes into play when selling stuff, Ted Massey pointed something out to me the other day regarding the high asking prices on some records and that it's got a little out of hand again as like Ted, myself and others who picked up tunes a bit back for a bargain or lesser price than today's market that we perhaps should take this into account to maybe get back to a more realistic market place as some records have been somewhat inflated due to demand,hype etc. by the same token as already stated on this thread people will only pay what a tune is worth to them and that sometimes means getting involved in auctions and perhaps bidding way over book or market price, the must own it mentality as we all know takes over sometimes.

Best thing to do is collect what you like, get as much pleasure and enjoyment out of your records and bugger the cost or worry about how much they will be worth down the line, example Cashmeres, Four Tracks, Dena Barnes, George Blackwell etc. etc. etc. are good records be they one thousand pound each or a fiver.

Regards - Mark Bicknell

Off to see Chelsea put three or four past Manchester City this very afternoon.....lol

Edited September 13, 200816 yr by Mark Bicknell

  Mark Bicknell said:

Over the past three or four years I've moved on some so called big ticket items with no regrets, in that time I've also picked up as many records as I've sold, I think the best way to value your collection is on musical content and quality rather than the price tag or current high selling prices on some records, records are for playing and enjoying and should not be treated as an investment or pension plan, having a pretty solid collection still of mid priced records and some bigger ticket items I dread to think of the current market value, still this only comes into play when selling stuff, Ted Massey pointed something out to me the other day regarding the high asking prices on some records and that it's got a little out of hand again as like Ted, myself and others who picked up tunes a bit back for a bargain or lesser price than today's market that we perhaps should take this into account to maybe get back to a more realistic market place as some records have been somewhat inflated due to demand,hype etc. by the same token as already stated on this thread people will only pay what a tune is worth to them and that sometimes means getting involved in auctions and perhaps bidding way over book or market price, the must own it mentality as we all know takes over sometimes.

Best thing to do is collect what you like, get as much pleasure and enjoyment out of your records and bugger the cost or worry about how much they will be worth down the line, example Cashmeres, Four Tracks, Dena Barnes, George Blackwell etc. etc. etc. are good records be they one thousand pound each or a fiver.

Regards - Mark Bicknell

Off to see Chelsea put three or four past Manchester City this very afternoon.....lol

Hi Mark, yeah all valid points re enjoyment etc, but the fact is i cannot see a genuine future interest beyond our age group. Thats my real point, that i can see a time when the records will become almost worthless purely because there will not be a fan base in any great numbers.

Come in City

Edited September 13, 200816 yr by Brett F

The bidding frenzy often nothing to do with quality more to do with northern trends over inflates often average records,however taste is subjective so one mans poison etc !!The quality issue is the biggie for me as I have always pushed unknown semi obscure stuff as opposed to bigger stuff which taking bout a handful out i have no interest in whatsoever!!!

A collector will take the bulk of his stuff to the grave however he/she should be shrewd enough to sell to buy but yes the only rule is WHAT WILL YOU PAY the new price quide 5 is due out shortly that may have some influence on those thinking about selling !!!

BAZ A

  Brett F said:

Hi Mark, yeah all valid points re enjoyment etc, but the fact is i cannot see a genuine future interest beyond our age group. Thats my real point, that i can see a time when the records will become almost worthless purely because there will not be a fan base in any great numbers.

Come in City

Know what you mean Brett but that's just down to the passage of time mate.

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Not to bothered myself i only buy what i like whether its 3 quid or 3 grand, dont have to sell wont have to sell.Cant honestly see them holding there current value so even more reason to only buy records you can afford and want to keep.

Off to see Chelsea put three or four past Manchester City this very afternoon.....lol

  Brett F said:

Yeah good points, i just don't see a genuine interest beyond our age group (late thirties and up), yeah there are a few younger fans, but not in the numbers to sustain a continuity like in the current and previous years.

I used value more as a tongue in cheek comment, but i actually wonder about what will indeed happen in all those years time.

Was trying to post and it all got lost and now Ive forgotten what I was going to say

Oh well (just for Mark...sorry if off topic Brett but.....)

C'Mon City!!!

Edited September 13, 200816 yr by Reg

Morning Brett.

Simple answer, where were you last night & how old was the main guest?

i really do not care about the value of my collection it brings me so much enjoyment if ive got it in years to come and they arnt worth a penny so what each record has a memory often associated with places and friends.

as for the cashmeres £30 when it was cu.

I remember David Dickinson talking about antiques on one of his shows, his comments about old furniture absolutely applies to northern/rare soul, IMHO. He said...." We never really own antiques, we are only the custodians, and pass them onto the next generation".....for me, this is absolutely bang on with northern/rare soul records.

If I`m still on the go in 20 years and still enjoying my sounds, as much as I have and still do, the money I`ve spent on vinyl over the years, no matter what they are worth, is money well spent.

cheers , Andy

Edited September 13, 200816 yr by Dennisoul

  Brett F said:

How long will it be before the records we collect lose their current value? I say this because like many on this forum I have a healthy collection of rare vinyl records, I personally don't sell, I view myself as a collector, but I am interested in the value of the medium. Getting to the crux of my argument, in say 25 years time I'll be nearly 70, I think it's fair to say that a lot of soul collectors will not even be living in that distant future, and those that are won't even know what F*****g day it is !

I just cannot see a demand for the records purely on the grounds that there won't be the numbers (people) to even garner an interest, so am I right in believing that in 2035 that EBay will see "Richard Caiton" on "Uptite" at a "buy it now" for the price of two bottles of "Pale Ale"?

Brett ,i've just turned 44 and if im still around at 70 that'll be a bonus!

in that respect i won't care if my records are worth owt ,doubt i'll even have any left by then at the current rate im selling em

IMHO the rarer/high priced items will generally hold their value or increase due to the collecting aspect of the NS scene.

It can be seen today that records that are hard to get seem to make better and better prices whilst common records are hard to sell unless they become what is termed "in-demand" and that status normally only lasts a few months.

Additionally I feel that the supply of records has been really good for the last 5 - 10 years due to prices becoming known worldwide because of the internet and price guides, this has caused dealers in the US to search their stock for records that they would have overlooked previously and put them up for sale.

I don't think this good supply will continue much longer, couple of years maybe? If you look on ebay US now (R&B, 45rpm, highest price first) there are some good records for about 2 or 3 pages, then after that it sort of tails off rapidly. Also the condition of records is getting much poorer as the barrel is scraped.

Anyway records are for enjoying or for selling to buy more records, if you treat them as a commodity they must be one of the most volatile markets in the world.

i always planned on selling mine when i turn 40 so as long as they hold their value for another 2 and a bit years i don't mind .........hmmmm what will i spend the money on ? lol

I've heard so many stories of collectors / DJ's selling up and putting their money into something else....then low and behold, within a short while they are back at it again. Buying back their collection, and more....if it's in the blood, you can't just give it up.....you have to have something to aim for in life.....and chasing rare records keeps you going...

Phil.

I think the record prices will go higher over time especially as the scenes in for another dollop of commercialisation from the media with a couple of feature films on the way that will bring a few people into the scene, look at Quadrophenia everyone wanted scooter & Parker before that film was over, of course these films will have to go some to have that sort of impact. However, the point that there wont be a market in 25 years, I think is wrong as more people collect rare records now than ever and if you look at some very early classical pieces that come to market they make our big ticket items look cheap and theres not much of a customer base there, lots like it but the masses dont buy it on vinyl you see once somthing establishs its self as rare and valuable it generally stays that way.

I do agree that the prices are to high on lots of records that aint rare the first one that pops into my mind is Ruby Andrews always one for sale and always gets £100+ theres loads more we all could mention.

With regard to the big ticket items I think they will rise year on year as people will always trade in high end vinyl that has established rarity (even none soulies) this always keeps the market buoyant and because its a global market place today the exposure a record gets is massive so every dealer in the world knows its for sale when a rare piece comes to market.

When we all used buy our records face to face we could get records at reasonble prices those days are gone and not coming back, also now we have a global scene and not just one confined to the north of England if I bid on a record i'm not just having to bid more than my mate or somone else in the room, now your fighting all four corners of the globe and that will keep the rare stuff high.

So I say the very rare stuff will keep rising and the not so rare will level out at its current values but will still appreciate over the next 10 to 20 years.

Be interesting to read this thread in 5 or 10 years time maybe we should add a few sales from this month as a reference.

Cheers Darren

  quinvy said:

I've heard so many stories of collectors / DJ's selling up and putting their money into something else....then low and behold, within a short while they are back at it again. Buying back their collection, and more....if it's in the blood, you can't just give it up.....you have to have something to aim for in life.....and chasing rare records keeps you going...

Phil.

Seen 'em come and seen 'em go..............and seen 'em come back again.

  Brett F said:

How long will it be before the records we collect lose their current value? I say this because like many on this forum I have a healthy collection of rare vinyl records, I personally don't sell, I view myself as a collector, but I am interested in the value of the medium. Getting to the crux of my argument, in say 25 years time I'll be nearly 70, I think it's fair to say that a lot of soul collectors will not even be living in that distant future, and those that are won't even know what F*****g day it is !

I just cannot see a demand for the records purely on the grounds that there won't be the numbers (people) to even garner an interest, so am I right in believing that in 2035 that EBay will see "Richard Caiton" on "Uptite" at a "buy it now" for the price of two bottles of "Pale Ale"?

There's never ever been a time when I haven't had copies of all my favorite records in some form or other. I held the top rarities of the time between the age of 16-21 when I was jocking and seriously collecting. I maintained several nucleus collections of decent originals from the age of 21-45. By 2000 I'd managed to accumalate pretty much everything I've ever owned or wanted on CD, so at the age of 45 I'd got several copies of most of my faves on vinyl 7"/LP/CD and Music Files, sometimes on U.S., U.K. and bootleg copies.

All of which was a bit of a luxury and a pain in the ass to store. So I came to the decison that having shelves full of rare vinyl worth tens of thousands of pounds really didn't make a lot of sense for me personally. I had a wife, daughter, career and lifestyle which would hoover up any excessive cash and there were some other major priorities in my life. I also had to subsidise some other my other activities - e.g. launching Mastercuts, litigation on the Mastercuts name, launching a company, bankrolling the Salsoul reissue campaign etc, etc, so basically other priorities got in the way of my record collecting LOL...

So in 2000 I made a decision to whittle down the excesses of my vinyl collection. And I'm still at it 8 years on. And having fun listening to 'em again before I make the decision as to whether I can justify keeping it on vinyl. If I did it would be 'cos it was a favorite or for sentimental reasons only. The fact is that my music collecting has become more about convenience of access rather than the way I used to collect, which was getting covered in cobwebs, rat shit and dust in the back of shop usually LOL. Plus you have to FILE records and keep the collection in order, which means countless hours spent re-filing stuff I'd pulled out 'cos I keep everything alphabetical by artist. It was like homework. Plus you have to pull the bugger off the shelves, pull the record out of the sleeve, put the record on a turntable, lift the stylus arm onto the record, listen to it, then lift it off the deck, put it back in the sleeve NEATLY and re-file the bugger back on the shelves ALPHABETICALLY.

It was turning into a full-time job just keeping my records in order!

I now have more music on tap then at any other point in my life. I'm surrounded by it and I have everything I want right now at my fingertips, which, is like IDEAL for me! But I'm whittling down for sure. By the time I'm 60 I should have REALLY whittled down to circa 5K vinyl, 10K CD's and 100K music files which I reckon will be more than enough to keep me happy. I'm actually saving the Miles Davis and John Coltane box-sets for old age when I'll finally have time to listen to 'em properly!

So yes. Vinyl will drop in price, I have absolutely no doubt. I'm seeing it already. I actually left about 10 decent little US original items in a shop the other day because I couldn't be arsed carrying 'em! Stuff is turning up in all kinds of places. Lots of clear-outs going on - it's actually a good time to dig around I think.

I can tell from what I'm selling at the moment that the market for lots of vinyl is wavering. The cheap stuff's not worth jack anymore and the rarities are still commanding a good price but only IF you can find the right buyer.

We'd better recruit more young kids quickly and get some demand going for the 45's! I don't wanna see the Northern scene going the same way as 78rpm Rock N Roll..............

Ian D

What's the average age of a record collector? Looking round record bars at venues when out its got to be 40 plus with many in their 50's. Unless they are gonna take these record with them into another life, if you believe in that b*llocks, then there will be a lot of rare records on the market in years to come.

There is the question here that i keep asking a mate of mine who has a phenominal collection & has been collecting since the early seventies and never sells anything, when do you sell? his reply is allways never, he says they`ll stay with him forever and he also says they were never meant to be an investment, more of a labour of love

  chalky said:

What's the average age of a record collector? Looking round record bars at venues when out its got to be 40 plus with many in their 50's. Unless they are gonna take these record with them into another life, if you believe in that b*llocks, then there will be a lot of rare records on the market in years to come.

You're right Chalky - the amount of rare records sat gathering dust in collections is phenomenal. If they all surfaced at the same time people would realise that aren't actually as rare as the current market suggests.

Once collectors start popping their clogs (usually earlier than expected - Northern Soul is definitely not a healthly way of life ) their other halves will eagerly be clearing out those boxes and boxes of records that have been cluttering up the house for years.

  kjw said:

You're right Chalky - the amount of rare records sat gathering dust in collections is phenomenal. If they all surfaced at the same time people would realise that aren't actually as rare as the current market suggests.

Once collectors start popping their clogs (usually earlier than expected - Northern Soul is definitely not a healthly way of life ) their other halves will eagerly be clearing out those boxes and boxes of records that have been cluttering up the house for years.

Hence my point earlier. The whittling down method means that your precious collection at least passes on to other fanatics. Sold my "Return Of The Moonglows" - The Moonglows RCA LP the other week to a collector in France who'd been looking for it for years!

The fact that I'd only played it a couple of times in 40 odd years made the decision to pass it on easier, but the fact that I passed it on to a good, appreciative home somehow made the whole thing more emotionally rewarding.

You see, I think all the records in my collection are blessed, so when I pass them on to a new, good owner, then they too become blessed with the magic of the record........

Well, that explanation fits my comfort zone!

Ian D

  HARRY CROSBY said:

There is the question here that i keep asking a mate of mine who has a phenominal collection & has been collecting since the early seventies and never sells anything, when do you sell? his reply is allways never, he says they`ll stay with him forever and he also says they were never meant to be an investment, more of a labour of love

Well, if it's really been a labour of love it would be nice to share them with a new audience wouldn't it? He could look at them as being his legacy of a lifetime of passionate collecting.

This has given me an idea.

I'm gonna set up a charity called The Northern Soul Archive (© Ian Dewhirst 2008) for future generations to witness the beauty of the scene!

If I become the curator of the archive, then I'd use my powers of persuasion to convince all these collectors to leave their records to the official Northern Soul Archive for posterity and the future of the scene. If they left 'em to the archive it would prevent their money-grabbing relations splitting the collection for financial gain only. There could also be some interesting tax benefits/inheritance implications. I'll research it and find out.......

This way I would accumulate all the great Northern Soul private collections and take over ze world hah............

Ian D

  Ian Dewhirst said:

Well, if it's really been a labour of love it would be nice to share them with a new audience wouldn't it? He could look at them as being his legacy of a lifetime of passionate collecting.

This has given me an idea.

I'm gonna set up a charity called The Northern Soul Archive (© Ian Dewhirst 2008) for future generations to witness the beauty of the scene!

If I become the curator of the archive, then I'd use my powers of persuasion to convince all these collectors to leave their records to the official Northern Soul Archive for posterity and the future of the scene. If they left 'em to the archive it would prevent their money-grabbing relations splitting the collection for financial gain only. There could also be some interesting tax benefits/inheritance implications. I'll research it and find out.......

This way I would accumulate all the great Northern Soul private collections and take over ze world hah............

Ian D

Good idea ian, any chance of a job

I don't buy records to sell, so as to if they're worthless in the future doesn't really bother me (some would say my meagre collection is worthless now). I think the issue is whenever you buy a record, are you buying because you like it or buying it for it's value? I bet most people bought their first ever records because they liked them and not because they'd hope to turn a profit in future years.

PS Hope you're keeping well Brett.

  Dave Moore said:

Seen 'em come and seen 'em go..............and seen 'em come back again.

i suppose it depends on what else you have in your life really ....if the answer is nothing then i understand why collecting black plastic is so important

I sold my collection off 8years ago to a well known record dealer,ive not regretted it with the proceeds we had a good holiday in the states,

I always think if your not Djing why collect records,if your only playing the in your house,get them on CD its easier,and a lot cheaper.

Kev

  good angel said:

I sold my collection off 8years ago to a well known record dealer,ive not regretted it with the proceeds we had a good holiday in the states,

I always think if your not Djing why collect records,if your only playing the in your house,get them on CD its easier,and a lot cheaper.

Kev

i'd pretty much agree with that

theres 100s still not on cds lol

  TOAD said:

theres 100s still not on cds lol

I know but it dont take you long to get a nice,Dj,person to put them on Cd for you,but of course for your own listening at home.

Kev

  HARRY CROSBY said:

Good idea ian, any chance of a job

Well, I reckon the No.1 job in the world has to be curator for the Northern Soul Archive. Imagine spending your life looking at people's collections and then walking out the house with 'em for FREE!

I'm sure this could be an excellent way of circumnavigating various laws surrounding divorce proceedings, inheritance taxes or even bankruptcy.

I'll set it up as a historical foundation, probably register it as charity whilst I'm at it (for deaf DJ's, 70's speed freaks or 'baggy' victims) for instance) and blag a couple of mill from the lottery and bob's your uncle!

So how about treasurer Harry?

I need someone who's good with figures!

Plus I think we still owe your other half a trip to Beverly Hills following the Soul Train litigation don't we?

We could do that easily on the basis that the foundation needs to contact the likes of Leon Haywood, Jimmy Conwell and the various estates of the singers we love.

Right. Will register everything on Monday.........

Ian D

I think some DJs / collectors have been encouraged to spend (or overspend) in recent years because they thought their homes were going to continue increasing in value each year.

The result has been that many records are overpriced, just as many houses are. This is also a result of record prices being driven more by demand rather than availability (...or "perceived rarity").

If the economy goes further into recession I expect demand and values to fall further because (1) less people will be able to afford the high prices and (2) more people will be selling records to raise cash.

Increasingly, there are many great (and quite rare) records on eBay which don't attract any bids at all.

Apart from a few exceptions, I think it will gradually become more of a buyer's market.

Of course there are many other factors such as the age of collectors and the number of collectors. And I've noticed more people seem to be quite happy to own tracks on CD and MP3 formats these days. We're all getting lazy as technology is changing our habits.

I have over 100,000 digital audio files on a few external hard drives yet my comparatively small record and CD collection takes up one full room and much of another room.

I'm not suggesting that people will lose interest in soul music, I'm saying their spending habits will change.

Sorry if this sounds a bit gloomy.

Paul Mooney

  good angel said:

I sold my collection off 8years ago to a well known record dealer,ive not regretted it with the proceeds we had a good holiday in the states,

I always think if your not Djing why collect records,if your only playing the in your house,get them on CD its easier,and a lot cheaper.

Kev

I like records

Bill gates reckons that it is pointless going to art galleries cos you can have the same pictures in your home at the touch of a button and change them whenever you like. So what is the point of having or wanting to see, an original Picasso or Leornardo or Van Gogh? Same argument really.

  paultp said:

...Bill gates reckons that it is pointless going to art galleries cos you can have the same pictures in your home at the touch of a button and change them whenever you like. So what is the point of having or wanting to see, an original Picasso or Leornardo or Van Gogh? Same argument really.

Hello Paul,

What's the point of having a wife if you can look at pictures of someone else's wife at the touch of a button? And you can change the picture whenever you like.

And it's probably cheaper than getting married.

This Bill Gates sounds pretty clever. Is he running for president?

Paul

  Dundeedavie2 said:

i suppose it depends on what else you have in your life really ....if the answer is nothing then i understand why collecting black plastic is so important

You're right of course. I've not had a life. Damn!! That's where I went wrong.

Crap!!...I'm gonna sell my collection and move to Scotland, enjoy the weather up there, watch football that resembles subtuteo, take up caber tossing and live on deep fat fried Mars Bars now! Before it's too late!!

I can answer this as being young and collector of records in all genres i buy because i love the record in fact i also buy cause of it's chart position i know silly but i am intrested in those records that failed to get to the top 40 or top 75 etc by main stars. i have had records from when i was a kid like Shakin Stevens my hero and i don't find value anything to go by even with Northern soul that as much as i want some rare original instead of saving up for it i would rather spend on something else like a few

Northern soul records say £3 each and i know i get some from someone in Peterborough at record fair like i would buy say 12 records which cost £30 from him and not the mega rare ones. and even then some of the cheap records can still be original and not re-issues

However i do look at values and if i have some rare records fine. but i think in future years some Northern soul records will stay at a rare price if there are people out there willing to buy at the price. Plus when your all like 70 and 80 would you keep the records still or sell them on.

For me my records i would hope when i am 70 and your not around a lot of them, i would give to people in my family but hopefully a will to state they can't be sold cause like i would want my family to pass down the records so they go to someone who would want them and look after them

as for storing records etc it is a task as most of mine and dad's records was in boxes and just stored and not sorted but i have decided to go through them and sort them and put loads on shelf like rock 'n' roll a-z then 60's soul a-z, 70's soul a-z, disco a-z, indie a-z, metal a-z that way i can find records easier and each artist is put in a decade/style i feel suits them best ie Driffters more 60's so all there records in 60's instead of half in 60's and half in 70's and so on same as other styles like putting all Little Richard in Rock 'n' roll and only The Northern is seperated.

the other thing is and maybe i get shot at but i try not to play a lot of my records to keep then in good condition prefering to play CD's or put the vinyl on to cd as i make my own cd's like greatest hits and comps using records i have and then i make my own cd covers. not that i hate playing vinyl just nice to keep them to show people and look at and value and cause i like the record but can do well in having them on cd or even on a IPOd which i use when i go out so i can still hear music, but i always go to cd and record fairs and buy music.

lastly i would play Northern soul music if i was to DJ out at venues if asked.

  Dave Moore said:

You're right of course. I've not had a life. Damn!! That's where I went wrong.

Crap!!...I'm gonna sell my collection and move to Scotland, enjoy the weather up there, watch football that resembles subtuteo, take up caber tossing and live on deep fat fried Mars Bars now! Before it's too late!!

"Chan eil mi a' d¨anamh c il."

Steve J