Vinyl Collector's Guide
Expert insights on vinyl grading, pricing, pressings, and everything collectors need to know about identifying, valuing, and caring for records.
Why some $10 albums sell for $300 — the hidden logic of vinyl pricing
Ever scrolled through Discogs and wondered why two copies of the same album can differ by hundreds of dollars? Welcome to the fascinating world of vinyl pricing.
How to tell an original pressing from a reissue — the collector's quick guide
Don't get fooled. Learn how to spot an original pressing by checking labels, catalog numbers, deadwax etchings, and packaging details.
How record grading really works (and why VG+ can still be noisy)
Ever bought a VG+ record that looked clean but played like sandpaper? Learn what those grading letters actually mean and why looks can deceive.
The secret language of the deadwax — decoding runout markings
Inside that tiny ring between the music and the label lies the DNA of your record. Learn to decode mastering codes, pressing plant symbols, and engineer initials.
Why Japanese pressings sound cleaner (and what you give up)
Japanese records have a legendary reputation for clarity and low noise. But that perfect sound comes with trade-offs most people don't talk about.
Why 'sold price' beats 'listing price' — how to really know what your vinyl's worth
A $500 listing with zero buyers isn't value — it's a fantasy. Learn how to use real sold data to understand true market value.
From master tape to your turntable — how vinyl is actually made
Vinyl pressing is both science and craft. Discover how music goes from magnetic tape to that warm analog groove spinning under your needle.
How supply, nostalgia, and TikTok revived vinyl — the modern comeback story
Vinyl is now outselling CDs in revenue, and pressing plants can't keep up. Discover how scarcity, digital fatigue, and social media sparked the analog revival.
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