Would you consider selling off some of your prized vinyl?

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Johnny Vinyl, Mar 7, 2018.

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  1. Johnny Vinyl

    Johnny Vinyl Vinylholic Thread Starter

    Over the years I've acquired some first presses and audiophile releases that collectively are worth a considerable sum. Most of them are additions to standard releases of albums that I consider favourites, so I've ended up with 3, 4, 5 and even more copies of specific albums. This means that some of these recordings only get played occasionally as I have my faves from within each. Seeing as that's the case I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better to sell some of them. If I were in a position whereby money is no object I'd keep them, even if they just languished on a shelf, but I wasn't blessed with such fortuity. Selling them would allow me to get some more and newer music or that Boxed-set I've had my eye on.

    I'll always have the memory of those great recordings, but if they're not going to get played.....why bother keeping them.

    What would you do?
     
  2. Chris Schoen

    Chris Schoen Rock 'n Roll !!!

    Location:
    Maryland, U.S.A.
    If I had more than one copy of an album and needed money, I would sell the extra copies, probably right here in classifieds.
     
  3. eflatminor

    eflatminor Forum Resident

    Location:
    Nevada
    I've sold records where I have multiple versions of the same recordings. I keep the best sounding one, usually the original pressing from the country of origin or a later audiophile pressing from the master tapes.
     
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  4. DK Pete

    DK Pete Forum Resident

    Location:
    Levittown. NY
    That's one hell of a loaded question; there are certain albums-including box sets which contain material I own five times over-I'd never even consider selling at any price. All I can realistically say to that is I hope I'm never in a life's position that I even have to think about it. The best way i can answer the OP is I would never *want* to do it..that much is 99% a given...but WOULD I ever given extenuating cicumstances?? Much harder to answer.
     
  5. Through the years I have sold/traded many records/cds/musical instruments to get more/new records/cds/musical instruments.
     
  6. Johnny Vinyl

    Johnny Vinyl Vinylholic Thread Starter

    I'm considering it for two reasons actually. The first is, as I alluded to or mentioned in my OP, is why keep it if it doesn't get played. The second is that it would free up some cash for other purchases. That doesn't mean I need to sell them (because I don't), but I view as a better strategy given my retirement income and management thereof.
     
  7. gd0

    gd0 Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies

    Location:
    Golden Gate
    Umpteen years ago, I unloaded all my vinyl – about 1000 titles – and never looked back. Easy-peasy.

    But that's me.

    If you have an affinity for collecting, you might later regret cutting any loose.

    Only you can make the call.
     
  8. ralf11

    ralf11 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Earth
    Two questions you must answer first:

    1. Are these albums available in better SQ on CD, SACD, etc.?

    2. Are you willing to change your screen name?
     
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  9. mdent

    mdent Forum Resident

    Location:
    New England
    If a recording had a deep sentimental attachment for someone, certainly.
     
  10. EdogawaRampo

    EdogawaRampo Senior Member

    I think there are lots of us in the same predicament. But ever since about 1995/6, when I returned to records, I've been far more careful and deliberate about what I keep and what I sell, and I've become far more tight gripped. I deeply regretted those mass vinyl purges of the '80s after discovering all the SQ I foolishly sold after buying the hype.

    Still, I'd like to fund new purchases with some sales. But many times, when I find something I haven't listened to in a long time and think to myself I could sell it, I play it and find myself thinking "damn this sounds good", and put it back on the shelf afterwards. No sale.
     
  11. CowboyBob

    CowboyBob Forum Resident

    I’ve sold portions of my vinyl collection a few times over the years for various reasons- college, moving,etc... and every time I have regretted it. Always gone back and re purchased what I sold and rarely did I get even close to what they were worth. This includes duplicates/ different pressings too. So ... short answer? NO! I guess with the caveat that If i was so distressed for $ that I simply had to.
     
  12. Acoustic Warrior

    Acoustic Warrior I Come From The Water

    Location:
    Frankfort Kentucky
    I had to do it several years ago. Not all of it, but any of it was too much for my tastes. The anxiety attack I had during the appraisal, was the stuff of legend.
     
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  13. James Glennon

    James Glennon Senior Member

    Location:
    Dublin, Ireland
    I have sold around 150 LPs in the last eighteen months for the very reasons you have described. All I can say is if you are selling them as a lot, don't expect much for them. If you are going to sell them individually, be prepared to wait.

    Buyers of collections don't offer much for them, no matter how mint they are.

    That has been my experience anyway.

    JG
     
  14. Morton LaBongo

    Morton LaBongo Forum Resident

    Location:
    Manchester NH
    Probably not, no. I do have multiple copies of a lot of things but no single album on its own is going to provide enough for a car payment or a week's groceries. Even my "rarest" 4 or 5 albums together would probably be barely that. Selling 100 albums at $10-$20 apiece would be more time and effort than it's worth.
     
  15. ndoheny

    ndoheny Forum Resident

    Location:
    Sacramento, Ca
    I understand your dilemma. You most likely have copies in mind that you know you should sell and want to sell but then you imagine not having them in your collection and you get some sort of anxiety. I go through this feeling periodically. I have so many versions of albums and I know I can sell some off for some good cash. God knows I don't need 11 copies of the White Album but which one should I sell?

    This has been said before, if you do decide to sell use the money for new purchases. I use all money in my Paypal account to buy new stuff. So if a sell a few extra copies of something I no longer need I can maybe buy a album for a couple hundred bucks and feel less guilt about it. Also use the classifieds here, it will go to a good home guaranteed and you don't have to pay the ridiculous sellers fee that certain auction sites charge.
     
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  16. Crimson Witch

    Crimson Witch Roll across the floor thru the hole & out the door

    Location:
    Lower Michigan
    As already mentioned, hard question to answer.

    I sold all of my vinyl and now only own CDs. It took me three decades to
    re-acquire some of the more obscure titles, but I eventually replaced everything I previously had on vinyl with a CD version. This, however, is irrelevant to your question....except for one point :
    I wasn't playing the records.
    Instead, I was playing cassette copies I had recorded the very first time I dropped the needle on each one in order to preserve the grooves ~ which turned out to be advantageous as it was a unique selling-point to advertise that the vinyl was in stone-mint condition and "only played once"
    ( or twice, in a couple of instances)

    You could rip what you're selling and that way at least have a needle drop (?)
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2018
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  17. florandia

    florandia Forum Resident

    Location:
    Florida
    One of my best kept secrets .............I have never sold any of my records or cd's .......so the answer is an emphatic NO !
    My wife has recently asked me to identify parts of my collection that are collectible ! mmmm!
     
  18. DPC

    DPC Forum Resident

    Location:
    Virginia
    Is “prized” the same as “valuable”?
    I sold a bunch of “valuable” (i.e., people would pay more than I ever thought) albums that I very rarely listened to and had either preferred vinyl versions or ceedee variants that sound decent - not really prized. Bought other stuff.
    I have a few very “prized” records that I just won’t sell.

    A toy never played with is not a toy at all...Sell High and buy useful stuff, I say.
     
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  19. Johnny Vinyl

    Johnny Vinyl Vinylholic Thread Starter

    I'm not really into digital, so I can't answer really answer that.
     
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  20. schnitzerphilip

    schnitzerphilip "Modern Dad" Unlocked Award

    Location:
    NJ USA
    I'm getting ready to sell 100's of original Beatles LP's and 45's because it's only a matter of 8-10 years before they go full-Elvis.
     
    Evan L, bullmkt3, Bigbudukks and 7 others like this.
  21. Johnny Vinyl

    Johnny Vinyl Vinylholic Thread Starter

    I hear ya! :)
     
  22. Colocally

    Colocally One Of The New Wave Boys

    Location:
    Surrey BC.
    In 2009 I sold off my vinyl U2 collection (2 singles packs, a load of 12" singles plus all the albums up to Unforgettable Fire), some Prince albums and some Depeche Mode 12" singles, plus a signed copy of Ultravox's Vienna. I also ditched a good few albums before leaving for Canada (keeping a lot more though). Of the stuff I ditched, I have replaced almost all of it, and mourn every single album I got rid of.

    It would take a real tragedy for me to do anything like that again.
     
  23. pinkrudy

    pinkrudy Senior Member

    I don't have a double copy of anything.
    As soon as i buy a double. I compare it to what i have. I keep the best one. Then i sell the other.

    Of course like a year down the line.Or 5 years after when you upgraded your equipement or something. You wonder....hmmm.. maybe that one pressing I sold sounds better? Only happens very rarely in my experience.
    Overall my system of selling the lesser duplicate is great.
     
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  24. Crimson Witch

    Crimson Witch Roll across the floor thru the hole & out the door

    Location:
    Lower Michigan
    ?? Full-Elvis?
     
  25. Would you consider selling off some of your prized vinyl?

    A: Yes, whatever I have left.
     
    Mark J, dalem5467 and eric777 like this.
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