For my collecting post for today, You're never going to believe what I just got. I went to my local record store looking for some new stuff, and I ended up helping him out with some collections that he was getting in that day. After I did that, he told me he set something aside for me, since he sets aside stuff for regulars who might be interested. When he pulled it out, my jaw hit the floor; it was a original pressing of the first Stooges album. It wasn't in the best of shape (like a visual G+-low VG), but it still played very well on the turntable like a VG record, and the cover was at least VG+. The owner said that someone had recently come in with a stack of records with mostly boring stuff and he only pulled out a couple things, with this record being one of them. He ended up letting me have the record for only $40! Again, I will note that the record plays to a VG level, so its still very listenable. Overall, I am very happy to own this record, so now the only original Stooges record I'm missing is Funhouse.

What a completely unexpected find that I had this weekend from my local record store. I went into my local record store, and the owner told me that he left something aside, since he thought that I'd be interested. When he pulled it out to show me, I couldn't believe what I was seeing; a 7 inch copy of Elvis Costello's "I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down" on the Two-Tone label.

To give context to this record, the story goes that after Costello's former label Radar Records went under, the parent label WEA was preparing to create a new sublabel for Costello called F-Beat Records. However, in the interim before the new label was made, Elvis Costello produced the first Specials album. Through that relationship and due to the fact that he was without a label at that time, he was preparing to release his newest single on the Two-Tone label that the Specials both founded and were signed to. However, as WEA needed a release to launch the new label they were making, they put out an injunction on Two-Tone to not release the record and get it for themselves.

The single eventually came out on F-Beat and became a big hit for Costello in the UK, but by the time the injunction was placed, 1000 copies of the single were already pressed on Two-Tone. Therefore, the copies of the single were given out only at shows in London and New York City during the Get Happy tour. The only way you could get this single is if you went to one of those Elvis Costello shows at the time and received it during the giveaway. It is easily one of the rarest records on the Two-Tone label.

With that context, you can understand why I was understandably shocked to see it before my eyes in the store. It had apparently come in a batch of random records, none of which were close in genre to Elvis Costello, and it was just strewn about with the records. Despite that, it is in VG+-NM shape on the vinyl and sounds crystal clear. I asked the store owner how much he wanted for it, and he said that I could take it due to being a loyal customer and for helping him out on previous occasions. I couldn't believe that he was giving it away, and I tried to pay, but he insisted. Overall, I am super happy to own this record now and it's been a pleasure to listen to it.

For my post today, I had a pretty good mail call today for records. I don't usually buy records online, as I like the hunt of trying to find the records physically, but when a deal calls, I'll take it. The deal for today came in the form of some UK 45s that I got for the equivalent of $3 each. I got 5 original UK press Beatles singles with the original Parlophone sleeve and a copy of the Beat's Tears of A Clown/Ranking Full Stop single in a 2-tone sleeve. All of the records are in VG+ condition.

I don't usually buy Beatles records, as they don't interest me too much in comparison to other bands of the period, but it's still cool to have the original documents of Beatlemania in their complete form. Overall, I'm happy to get these records and add them to the UK originals pile. Although, if I were able to get some 60s US Rolling Stones picture sleeves, I'd be a very happy camper.

Currently looking at getting a turntable to get into vinyl. I'm looking to spend no more than maybe $500 (can be persuaded more for a decent reason). Sound quality isn't super huge to me but I still can still tell some differences. I'm not sure where to start so hopefully someone can help.

So throw me some suggestions and hopefully I can find one I like!

i used to try to find it on discogs before opening, but then it just felt like a spoiler if i'd get something cool or not. now i am trying to open, appreciate everything, add to database, then listen, reading reviews as a last step because i don't want anyone else's opinion of a pressing influencing my feelings of it

Hi guys! It's time for me to change the belt of my turntable's plate. The thing is where I live I can't get any belt...the only one that have the same perimeter is "slicker" than the original. I mean is less wide... it's finer. Will it work?

whenever i go to goodwill there's dozens of random, arcane old records from the 50s, many being chrismas compilations. i cannot emphasize enough how many christmas records. why?

why christmas? there are other cool holidays. why so many at goodwills? elvis did a bunch. why? why? who cares about christmas that much? i assume society was more traditional and non secular back then, but still, there's always just a staggering amount

I have been listening to records with this exact stylus the past 10 years. I'm worried it breaks my records without me noticing.

To continue my finds from the flea market from this weekend, I was able to grab some more very good records from the same bin that I found the Captain Beefheart records from my post from yesterday. Again, this person had some eccentric taste, so I was able to pull out some real gems from the batch.

The craziest find from these other records has to be the Fripp and Eno No Pussyfooting record, as I've never see this record anywhere in my time collecting, and wouldn't expect to in the US. The other records that I got were good as well, as I got the first Roxy Music album and David Bowie's Scary Monsters. All and all, these records were also $5 apiece to get, which I was more than happy to get these records for.

For my newest finds from the flea market this weekend, I've got some crazy finds to show you guys. the first and craziest finds that I had came from one seller, which is also where I found most of the other records I found. Whoever this guy or girl was had some very eccentric taste, as I was able to come across not one, not two, but three Captain Beefheart records in the same bin. It's insanely hard to find Beefheart records anywhere, let alone a flea market, and to find three of them in one place is bonkers.

It's weird too, as these records are from three different eras of Beefheart's career, so there wasn't consistency in the release date. However, I did not have these records to begin with, so I'm not complaining. I only had to pay $5 apiece, which would be higher price in flea market terms, but for these records, I won't haggle.

Got a kiddo on the way and realized this whole situation is not baby friendly. No idea what to do for the speakers but probably going to buy a whole new record storage solution. Any ideas on either?

I'll be getting a used JVC L-A31 tomorrow and it comes with a replacement stylus. I suppose ill be installing it right away as I don't know how old the one that is currently installed is. Any tips on how to make sure I don't break the tonearm or cartridge? I only replaced the stylus and cartridge once on a very cheap record player which uses one of those 3 euros cartridges, will the procedure be similar or should I expect some further complications?

Anyone know of a good vintage audio community in the fediverse, by the way?

To complete my flea market finds from the weekend, I was able to find an album I've been trying to find for a little bit of time. I like collecting Marvin Gaye records, especially singles, and I've been trying to get any albums that I don't have from him. I was happy to then find a copy of his classic album Here My Dear (AKA the TMI divorce album) for only $2. it's cool that i was able to come across this album, as I've found it hard to find some of Marvins records in the wild. Overall, I am quite happy to expand upon my Marvin Gaye albums.

Now playing: Silver eye by Goldfrapp.

It's been a little while since I've posted some finds I've had, but I had a couple finds on my trip to the flea market yesterday. It was busy that day, but there weren't a lot of people selling records at the tables. However, the tables that I did find had some decent stuff to look through. I was able to grab all of these singles from one table for only $9, so less than $1 apiece for these.

I would say the best singles from this batch would be the copy of Dobie Gray's "The 'In' Crowd" and the Carl Perkins "Blue Suede Shoes" on Sun. when I saw the Dobie Gray, I was hoping it was going to be the single "Out On The Floor", but I'll take any that I can get. The Marvin Gaye singles were cool as well, as I have been trying to get all of the Marvin Gaye singles I can. Overall, I had some decent finds and I am happy to have these records in my collection.

For today, I will be showing something truly special. It's not only of musical value, or even monetary value, its of truly historically valuable on its impact on indie music. I am the very happy owner of an original 1980 copy of Orange Juice's Falling and Laughing. This is the record that truly kicked off the indie-pop sound that we've come to know from the mid to late 80s, to the 90s, and even the 2000s.

This record came in a run of only 934 copies, and went on to launch Postcard Records as a label to influence bands like Franz Ferdinand, The Wedding Present, Belle and Sebastian, King Krule, The Cribs, The Smiths (though only slightly), the C86 scene of the mid 80s, the twee pop of labels like Sarah (Field Mice, Another Sunny Day, The Orchids, Brighter, Heavenly, etc) and K (Beat Happening), and many more. It is a marvel to now be an owner of a copy of this record. Not only that, this is also one of only 200 copies out of the 934 copy run that has the extra postcard included with it (This one being a pair of pliers). This also includes the extra flexi disc that was sometimes included with this record.

This is a valuable piece of music history that ought to be preserved in archives and I feel Orange Juice deserves some mention in music history for the impact this record and the Postcard singles that followed had on modern music.

Title says it. My system is OK but am looking to upgrade it over time. So these clubs, look interesting, but are they? Or disappointment?

Upgraded to an acrylic platter and a new stylus. Loving it so far.

What are some records that you feel are ‘essential’ to your collection (and you would replace if broken/worn out), that you would recommend to others without a second thought?

For today's post, I've got a great find from an antique store that I'd like to show you. I went out to a couple old antique store spots I used to frequent, and they had dealer spots that sold records. I've been lucky before in these spots, such as finding the Stooges Raw Power for $5, but it's been forever since I've had such a find.

Well now that has changed with my newest find; an original 1982 US copy of Iron Maiden's Number Of The Beast for only $10. This album can go for at least triple that amount, so $10 is a steal for me. I'm surprised that I wasn't able to get this Maiden album sooner considering some of the records I have found in the past, so I am very happy about this find.

When there’s an option between regular black and any color variant, what do you go for?

I know the consensus is that black usually has a higher fidelity (and is less imperfection-prone?), but I suppose ‘high fidelity’ doesn’t really come into play with NOFX records anyway 😅

After years of wanting one I finally made it happen. I am so unbelievably happy with this. I think my only gripe with the UTurn Orbit is that the acrylic platter doesn't have a groove for the belt making it easy to knock off. I wish they'd add a little groove just enough to prevent the round belt from rolling off when accidentally grabbed while removing a record. But if I'm careful it's a non issue.

My setup isn't perfect but I have no complaints!

Custom Uturn Orbit with built in preamp Polk S15 speakers SMSL Amp