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Macdaddy Warsaw
12-01-2005, 05:04 PM
Given that I really have no hobbies, I figured I'd expand on my love of music by actually collecting vinyl. Besides EBay, is there anywhere I should look? If you've ever followed my thoughts on music, you know I'm a big indie kid so I'll be looking for newer stuff. Although having newer LPs is important, old stuff is cool too (almost purchased a Big Star #1 Record and Ziggy Stardust LP but figured I didn't want to start my record colletion with albums that were merely great but with an album that means something to me). Anyway...If you guys know any websites, that'd be grand.

And you NYC guys, I'm a village kid, so I'm familiar with like Kim's, Sounds, etc. but are there any other places I should be going to? I'll also be stopping in at Earwax in Williamsburg, but whatever...

Also, although I have a record player, it's handed down, so if you guys know any sweet record players, let me know about that too.

Spanks.

vexvelour
12-01-2005, 05:10 PM
I collect vinyl from the '60's and 70's....old classic rock f'in rules. I usually get my stuff from antique stores where the sellers have no idea how much their stuff is worth and mark it down cheap as hell. As for newer stuff, I'm sure someone can lead you in the right direction. Virgin Megastore is a good place to start.

Best Buy sells 2 record players- one that is $100 and one that is $120. Go for the $120 one, me and many of my friends have this same one and none of us has ever had problems with it.

Good luck and enjoy collecting.

benfranklin
12-01-2005, 05:12 PM
GEMM (http://www.gemm.com/)


PREX (http://www.prex.com/)

xadrez
12-01-2005, 05:25 PM
Best to get a direct drive turntable, as in a "DJ" turntable. If you are serious, Spend the $500 and get a Technics 1200. Youll have it for the rest of your life.

Check out Turntable Lab (http://www.turntablelab.com/index1.html) in NYC for good prices.

When I buy music its mostly vinyl, but Im not a collector. My hobby is DJ'ing, so I mostly buy what I like or what I can throw on at a Party. That being said, I have no idea about indie rock/modern rock (Im a Soul/Funk/R&B/Rap/Jazz fan), so I cant recommend any stores per say. What I will say is buy what you like, NOT what is expensive and a collectors item. Much more enjoyable that way.

One spot Id recommend though, is this crazy homeless dude in the LES, on Chrystie St. (I Think), somewhere between Houston and Delancy. He has this tiny space and records all over the street. If you persevere and have an afternoon to look through the 1000's of LP's haphazardly strewn around in no particular order you can find some gems. I find great stuff on the street, and Ive also found awesome stuff in the garbage. Keep your eyes open. Searching out records is 85 percent of the fun.

Macdaddy Warsaw
12-01-2005, 06:08 PM
Thanks guys. I just went through my 'rents record collection and am currently stealing their Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Black Sabbath albums, in addition to some other albums that may or may not be embarassing to be stealing (er...Phil Collins comes to mind, but that's an inside joke between me and a friend).

IOMMI!

David04
12-01-2005, 06:12 PM
I'm guessing you have a pair of Technics...I'm getting my turntables very soon. I wanted to get some M3D's, but it's hard to find a pair(even eBay only has a few listings) So I'm going with Numark TT500's.

I think I'm going up to NYC again sometime soon, I'll look for the crazy homeless guy. What are his prices like?

krimson
12-01-2005, 06:24 PM
[ QUOTE ]
I'm guessing you have a pair of Technics...I'm getting my turntables very soon. I wanted to get some M3D's, but it's hard to find a pair(even eBay only has a few listings) So I'm going with Numark TT500's.

[/ QUOTE ]
Pretty much every piece of Numark equipment I've owned has fallen apart. So far I've heard the TT500's are pretty solid, but I don't trust Numark anymore.

I currently use Tech 1200 MK5's and an Allen & Heath Xone 62. Couldn't happier with this equipment (well, I guess I COULD be happier with the Xone 92, but didn't have $2400 to throw at a mixer).

gorie
12-01-2005, 06:39 PM
http://www.cryptrecords.com/

http://www.sympathyrecords.com/catalogue/mailorder.html

http://www.undergroundmedicine.com/

http://www.bomp.com/Mailintro.html

http://www.nortonrecords.com/index2.html

http://www.goner-records.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2

David04
12-01-2005, 06:46 PM
Yeah, I was originally going to buy Technics, but I started reading about the Numarks, and the TT500's have gotten some very good reviews, I haven't heard anything bad about them. I can buy a pair of new TT500's for what used MK2's would cost me. I'm getting a Pioneer DJM 707 for my mixer.

12-01-2005, 08:27 PM
I collect old blues, Muddy, Howlin wolf etc. I usually find some good stuff at second hand stores, and salvation armies. I also collect rat pack-type lps, these are really easy to find.

TheBlueMonster
12-01-2005, 08:41 PM
If you're ever in a foreign country look at weird random record stores. I was in Israel once and found "Abbey Road", "Velvet Underground & Nico" and tons of Who and Rolling Stones records for really cheap.
But if you're not heading cross the sea, I'm sure NYC has great stuff.

xadrez
12-01-2005, 08:50 PM
[ QUOTE ]
I think I'm going up to NYC again sometime soon, I'll look for the crazy homeless guy. What are his prices like?

[/ QUOTE ]

I hope hes around in the winter, Im not sure of that actually since his merchandise has to be spilling out onto the street. When you do come to NYC PM me and Ill PM you back more precise directions to his little place.

His stuff is priced however much he feels like pricing it. Basically, its totally arbitrary and you can definately bargain.

I know another guy who sells uptown who has some good stuff too if you catch him on the right day. Again, let me know when youre coming and Ill give you all the info on the 2 crazy guys.

I have Tech 1200's and they have never let me down after 8+ years. They even made it through when I was in college and there were drunk morons running wild all around me. Every issue Ive had has been easily fixable. Sure there are newer tables fancier tables, but I love the originals.

David04
12-01-2005, 10:21 PM
By "soon" I didn't really mean in the next few weeks, it might not even be until summer...but yeah, I'll definitely have to look out for those guys. Thanks.

Oblivious
12-01-2005, 11:37 PM
Second for Gemm (www.gemm.com). Its good for older or hard to find stuff. For new stuff Satellite (http://www.satelliterecords.com/live/) on Bowery in NYC is good.

Duke
12-01-2005, 11:46 PM
What a coincidence. I just blogged about vinyl.

I think others have probably mentioned that direct drive turntables are better. I don't have one, but if I were really into it I'd invest in one. Technics used to make excellent turntables, but who knows if there's some new brand that blows them away.

It's amazing how much different the same music can sound through the same speakers, same amp, but from an LP on one hand, and a CD on the other. I prefer the vinyl. I expect it has something to do with the audio range.

I'll go back to listening to The Buggles now.

~D

Macdaddy Warsaw
12-01-2005, 11:53 PM
Um...Ok, is there like, an entry-level direct drive turntable that I can get without blowing $500. I'd eventually move to the good Technics one or whatever. Or should I just stick with the (I assume) belt-driven player I have now and just wait a month or two for the Technics one. I'm gonna assume wait since I'm gonna guess there's no $50 - $100 direct drive turntable that's worth the money.

shant
12-01-2005, 11:55 PM
Thrift stores are awesome for sitting around and digging through a bunch of vinyl.

Duke
12-02-2005, 12:51 AM
I'd actually say to use your turntable until you wear it out, or have a good reason to change it up. My turntable is garbage, but for what I need it's fine. If it ever breaks, direct drive here I come.

If you're not DJing you can probably go 20 years without your current turntable breaking.

~D

Macdaddy Warsaw
12-02-2005, 01:19 AM
Yeah, actually, that's what I'll end up doing since I just looked it up and the one my parents have is direct drive anyway (an Onkyo CP-1046F). All I need to do is replace the needle, and I'm sure that'll be easy enough. Oh, what's that thing you put down between the LP and the actualy player, the one that's soft, fuzzy, and I assume stops the vinyl from getting scratched. Thanks.

xadrez
12-02-2005, 02:19 AM
[ QUOTE ]
Oh, what's that thing you put down between the LP and the actualy player, the one that's soft, fuzzy, and I assume stops the vinyl from getting scratched. Thanks.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is called a slipmat.

Oblivious
12-02-2005, 04:52 AM
[ QUOTE ]
Yeah, actually, that's what I'll end up doing since I just looked it up and the one my parents have is direct drive anyway (an Onkyo CP-1046F). All I need to do is replace the needle, and I'm sure that'll be easy enough. Oh, what's that thing you put down between the LP and the actualy player, the one that's soft, fuzzy, and I assume stops the vinyl from getting scratched. Thanks.

[/ QUOTE ]

Its not always easy to find new needles for old decks... but good luck. Slip mats only work for anything if the platter is metal.

Vavavoom
12-02-2005, 06:14 AM
I DJ back here at parties/weddings and bars...

The site I use is

www.Htfr.com (http://www.Htfr.com) = Hard to find records....

They have the biggest vinyl and dj equipment shop in the UK if I remember correctly....Definitely worth a look....They do international shipping and u can listen to a lot of the songs online...

it seems a bit confusing but the search function is fantastic at finding particular songs...

Macdaddy Warsaw
12-03-2005, 11:17 AM
Ok, the cartridge I have on the player is an Audio-Technica 200E/U. A replacement needle or stylus or whatever is easy enough to find, but I'm wondering if I might actually need another cartridge? Is there anyway to know, and are all cartridges compatible with all turntables, or will I actually need another 200E/U.

How would I be able to know if the current cartridge is damaged? The issue is, a new 200E/U doesn't pop up as easily as a needle for a 200E/U does.

Macdaddy Warsaw
12-03-2005, 10:41 PM
Anybody?