Music Banter - View Single Post - The Difference Between A Hipster And A Record Collector

porkchop · 04-13-2013, 08:27 AM

As a collector of records, I find that as soon as you mention you collect them to most people you automatically get labeled as a hipster. I'd like to discuss a few keys things I have noticed that are different between hipsters that buy vinyl and vinyl record collectors.

First off, the main difference I have noticed is numbers. For the record I take quality over quantity any day, but it is something I have noticed. Of the hipsters I have met, they tend to have very few albums, their individual collections rarely exceeding 40 albums and generally around 15-25 tops. Of the genuine record collectors I know, the collection is usually around 60-100. I personally had around 350 at one point, but due to needing some cash I had to sell quite a few. As it stands I am currently around 100-120.

Second, hipsters often state vinyl as their preferred listening method. I will agree with them that the quality is better, but it is not my preferred listening method. Lets face it, listening to mp3s on the computer or your portable mp3 player is a much more efficient method. After all, isn't that what technology is all about, advancing to make something easier and more efficient?

Lastly, the albums they do have tend to be either modern reprints of older artists that are popular among the high school/college crowd(For those of you that may have been out of school for a while these tend to be The Beatles, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, The Ramones, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, Grateful Dead, among others.) or newer artists that release albums on vinyl. For me, when it comes to older artists, everything must be an original pressing. Yes, some reprints have collector value, but generally an original pressing has the most value to a collector.

So my questions for you guys

1.Do you disagree with any of these, if so, why?
2.Are there difference or similarities you have noticed?
3.Are you either a hipster or a record collector? Neither?

And finally,
discuss.

04-13-2013, 08:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
porkchop Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: In a surrounded by records in Michigan Posts: 58	The Difference Between A Hipster And A Record Collector As a collector of records, I find that as soon as you mention you collect them to most people you automatically get labeled as a hipster. I'd like to discuss a few keys things I have noticed that are different between hipsters that buy vinyl and vinyl record collectors. First off, the main difference I have noticed is numbers. For the record I take quality over quantity any day, but it is something I have noticed. Of the hipsters I have met, they tend to have very few albums, their individual collections rarely exceeding 40 albums and generally around 15-25 tops. Of the genuine record collectors I know, the collection is usually around 60-100. I personally had around 350 at one point, but due to needing some cash I had to sell quite a few. As it stands I am currently around 100-120. Second, hipsters often state vinyl as their preferred listening method. I will agree with them that the quality is better, but it is not my preferred listening method. Lets face it, listening to mp3s on the computer or your portable mp3 player is a much more efficient method. After all, isn't that what technology is all about, advancing to make something easier and more efficient? Lastly, the albums they do have tend to be either modern reprints of older artists that are popular among the high school/college crowd(For those of you that may have been out of school for a while these tend to be The Beatles, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, The Ramones, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, Grateful Dead, among others.) or newer artists that release albums on vinyl. For me, when it comes to older artists, everything must be an original pressing. Yes, some reprints have collector value, but generally an original pressing has the most value to a collector. So my questions for you guys 1.Do you disagree with any of these, if so, why? 2.Are there difference or similarities you have noticed? 3.Are you either a hipster or a record collector? Neither? And finally, discuss. __________________ ---------This space intentionally left blank--------- Ignore everything I say, I'm always talking out of my ass Last.fm