Top 10 Mistakes Novice Record Collectors Make 

Keep your vinyl away from friends who are not educated in the handling of records.

Top 1 Mistake Novice RU-vid Creators Make. 1# Staying in frame just kidding, great video =)

Why does every single Thrift Store I've ever been to have 15 Barbara Streisand records?

I think it is best to buy what you like regardless of perceived value. There is no guarantee that some object will go up in value. Genuine rareness is not even a guarantee of future profitability. Just buy what you even if they do not seem cool to your friends and other collectors.

Inner sleeves! Inner sleeves! Inner sleeves best investment you can make to keep your lps lasting a long time more important in my opinion than the outer sleeves

I don't know if you've ever heard mono before, but, it doesn't all come out of one channel. Mono means there's no stereo separation and both speakers play the exact same thing.

First BIG mistake "folks" do when they make a youtube vid is THAT THE TOP OF THE HEAD DONT SHOW...

Hee Joey,,, really great info man, and especially the NUMBER ONE !!!! going to follow you on all the social media from now on keep up the good Vids

Oh: And on the subject of returning a record to the sleeve, starting about 13:15, he didn't stress it, but did you notice how he slid the sleeve in with the opening facing up so it's not open on the same and as the jacket? So many lazy people leave the sleeve with the opening on the same side as the jacket opening, so you can just tip and dump your record out. That's a No No. As easy as it is to dump records out without pulling the sleeve, it's just that easy for bugs and dust to just waltz right in (or fox trot, or macarena their way in) and get all over your records! Again, at the bargain bin, look at the vinyl. See that extra dirt along one edge of the album? That's why!

Nice video, great tips. Thank you. Just one tip/reamark though. Always wet clean your new record! You wouldn’t believe the amount of postpressing dirt in the grooves some companies leave behind. After doing so, one should change the inner sleeve straigh away. Two reasons for that: 1) there is always a lot of dirt inside the original sleeve, 2) a lot of inner sleeves are made from quite rigid paper leaving nasty „paper scratches” on your record. Since most of them have some information/pictures I don’t throw them away and keep them separately for „collecting reasons”.

Excellent points. Especially the idea of assuming something is high value just because it's old.

Great tips! Keep the videos coming!

#1 - Don't use an Ortofon Bronze cartridge with your $79 Crosley turntable and proceed to tell me you're a seasoned vinyl audiophile. :) LMFAO

A very informative video presented in a lively manner about key points of advice for those new to handling vinyl records. Thanks.

Awesome video thanks for the tips!

Buying a bad press was the first mistake I made getting back into the vinyl scene since being a child of the eighties. I had tons of vinyls and to be clear didnt take care of them the way I do now but I enjoyed the hell out of them. However I bought an Iggy pop and David Bowie repressing before joining Discogs, and figuring out what pressing were good or not. So I made the mistake once and never again. Great video.

Good stuff man, i enjoyed your post. Any chance you could do some videos showing us all your vinyl records, im curious what titles you own. Thanks

Really helpful and sensible advice. Thank you.

Great video! Great info

Great vid...very informative. I picked up on mistakes I wasn’t aware of making. As a novice record collector and seller myself, I’d love to see you do a separate segment on how to do due diligence research on records and record outlets.

I've been collecting for decades and I'm still learning.

The baddest thing with shrink-wraps is that they may stick to the cover over the years, and when you want to remove them then you'll ruin the cover.

Awesome vid man, very informative and helpful. It was so relieving to see someone have this passion for the craft. People around me don't see my hobby as the hobby that it is but more as a novelty thing I do, and thusly I don't get a lot of good advice, or even any at all sometimes. On that note I'd like to ask your profesional opinion about my two record players. They're both Innovative Techs. One is the portable 5in1 and the other the stationary 6in1. Are these okay players? I heard you say something about all in one players being not that great so now I'm curious. If you're wondering, no, they do not have counter-balances.

Great content man....!!!!!

I started watching this video at 7:18 P.M. and just finished it now after *43* minutes. Despite the fact that I don't own any records, I knew most of what you were talking about.

Store your records in a separate inner sleeve(not the original) OUTSIDE the record cover, but inside the outer plastic (HDPE) protective sleeve.

One very important thing that was not mentioned is to CHANGE your stylus OFTEN. Find out the recommended lifespan for your stylus and CHANGE it before you get to that point. Keep a running total of needle time if it helps you (that's what I do') and put the stylus on the record gently. By regularly changing your stylus, it keeps your records playable for longer. As it often states on record sleeves or inners, a worn or chipped stylus can cause irreparable damage to your records.

This was so helpful, thank you

Hey, man, great video, I was wondering if you could please talk about the Vinyl Styl record player and give your opinion about it. My dad gave my one for my birthday last year but I'm still not so sure about it, even though I've read some good reviews.

Thanks for the suggestion about the shrink wrap! A few dozen of my records that I bought 30-35 years ago still have the opened shrink wrap to protect the jackets from things like the dust here in Las Vegas. I never thought it could cause problems. QUESTION:I have about 40 records listed for sale on Discogs that have never been opened. They’re all from 1987 to 1992. Do you think I should open all of them and remove the shrink wrap? I will obviously have to downgrade their value, because they’ll no longer be considered mint condition, but I don’t want them to get warped either.

Hey Joey. @07:45 What happens if say you buy an album from somewhere & after you get home with it, you clean it, you play it, & the record itself has any skips or loops on the record itself? :) What do you do then about that right after that? :)

nice vid man, this was a good review. I had a very good 60's, 70's early 80's rock collection from the time I was 5 in 1965 to 1985. Got back into vinyl several months ago. I forgot how awesome Who's Next or Yardbirds, many Motown acts Supremes Marvin Gaye, etc, sounds on vinyl. I have a huge CD jazz, rock collection, but really dig vinyl. Addicted once again...to vinyl. Yah, good point on turntables, glad you told the youtube world about Crossley. -

1. The cleaning kit with the yellow tub you mentioned is probably the Spin Clean not the Discwasher. 2. The Old country record with the devil on the cover is probably The Louvin Brothers - "Satan Is Real". It was the grail record Alan Zweig wanted in the documentary Vinyl (2000) which can be found here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nkCMSrvOTAo.htmlm15s. Your videos are awesome man, keep it up!

Great video! Thank you!

Hey Joey. In one of your top ten: confusing stereo & mono pressings. Would that also go for those who buy a Quadraphonic or Digital pressing of an album that they like? :) And what about for those who buy a re-issue pressing or a pressing say on 180 gram vinyl of an album that they like? :) Do you think we'd be better off buying a first pressing of that exact same album? :) Please let me know ASAP. :) Thank you! :)

Great video! I especially can identify with the "want" vs "can," although that probably feeds into my hoarding tendencies, haha. Again, though, great work!

Awesome video!

Great video Joey, thank you. I've been collecting since my first new record "Something New" by the Beatles around 1964. I don't know why, but I never liked shrink wrap on my records either. I use a Diskwasher brush with cleaning fluid on the initial play of a used record. I use the Audio Technica dry brush just to clean off any dust on subsequent plays. I also replace the plain white paper sleeves with Diskeeper sleeves. I've also found a lot of good info on Discogs website where I buy the majority of my vinyl.

Cool video to watch and yes, there are some valueable tipps included especially this "what should I really buy"-thing, this is a problem for me aswell: After years of collecting I'm now giving away/selling a lot of records because I don't really play them and I have the feeling they "water down" my collection, taking away the focus... whatever, this are vinyl nerd problems, I guess ;) Greetz from another vinyl head from Germany! ;)

When you talk about the shrink wrap, do you mean the wrapping on the outside of the sleeve on new records, or is there one around the disc itself in some cases?

Very good information curious do you collect exotic pressings and do you feel like own stuff like Beatles and the rolling stones or any band pressed in countries around the world is worth the price albums pressed in Argentina Chile Zimbabwe Guatemala etc is a worth wild venture and besides the love of music is that something worth doing just curious to your views on that Great channel by the way

All of my records are recent purchases! Lol Early filing is my weakness. I have records out of order EVERYWHERE! Great advice.

Hey Joey. I was forced to get rid of at least several hundred of my vinyl records. It had me thinking after my father passes away I'll be able to start visiting some of those vinyl records once again. What do you think? :)

Buying something that you may listen to just to have it seems like a hoarder's mindset. I would do the same if I had more space to store 5,000 LPs, but not all of us have that luxury.

Can you please attach the link to your video on cleaning records. I can’t find it in your videos. Thanks.

Thank you for sharing. I fall into some of the 1-10 areas and will have to correct that. So aside from having components for my music and turntables, I have this RCA cabinet stereo player from 1953 with manuals. It has a turntable with spindle to hold the vinyls and then they drop. I hardly ever use it and I am thinking of getting rid of it. It has a great sound and really nice wooden cabinet, 48"Lx 36"Hx18"W, it just takes up too much room. Just curious what you think about bothering with it. Thank you

Thank you for your video. You have a nice demeaner and speak well. People criticise your tight shirt and can't see the top of your head etc. but I appreciate your info especially about tone arms and cheap players. Also black mold. God bless.

6:56 some of those cheap bags will eventually stick to you record sleeves.

I love how you keep your records that you haven't listened to yet. I make the mistake of laying mine flat in a stack and even though I know you shouldn't store them this way I wasn't even considering that even short term it wasn't a good idea. Thanks!

Nice vid ... great tips ... Thumbs up from a fellow vinyl collector

In regards to the Turntable. The worst thing you can actually do is play a modern stereo record on a 1940s/1950s/1960s ?kiddie? record player. Some of those track at over 15grams. Also crosleys don't damage vinyl. this is a myth that has been circulating for years. Most lps are built to withstand 8 to 10 grams of tracking force.

The biggest mistake record collectors make....not starting the year before they actually started lol. Great vid. So many ways to enjoy vinyl, records, and music stuff. If your collection makes you smile ear from ear and you LOVE IT!!! Your collection is doing something right. I think most of us tend to grow and change over time anyway as we get more into vinyl.

Hey Joey. @07:00 When peeling the wrap off the album cover I like to place one of those resealable album cover sleeves. :) What do you think about that? :)

After you’ve bought the record, is there any way to tell if it’s stereo or mono? I can’t find enough info on it online and just curious because I’m fairly new to collecting and my most recent purchase...just sounds a little off.

What's a pressing? like some extra weight on the boom stick? would appreciate to have seen one here like the Brush cleaner.

Mono on a 45rpm record in exceptional condition is in my opinion the best way to hear most songs that were released in that format. The early Beatles for sure at least need to be heard in mono if you are a fan.

In regards to the clear protective sheets for LPs, I don’t particularly care for them but I use them religiously now; In the scenario of accidental fluid spilling and/or dust particles. Pet animal leg lifting accidents 🤣! We did’t have no clear protective LP coverings fifty years ago, the LPs has stood in the test-of-time indestructible for decades. I do like the feel of the different textures. But I do have to be on the safe side to protect the LPs for accidental misshapes.

Leaving shrink wrap on your records is a myth. Once you score the shrink wrap, it looses any stress. Still have it on records that are years/decades old, no issue with warping. (Eventually shrink wrap will decay from handling records.) Nevertheless, outer sleeves are a good idea- get the sealed ones.

Honestly I really wanted to hate this video ... but all the things you mentioned were things I learned from my dad . Good on ya .

Really nice video, thanks. I will add a mistake of myself - "Do not expect cleaning and repairing to magically improve the state of your LP". I used to search for cheap records with a grade of G/G+ hoping that a proper cleaning and a scratch repair will upgrade them to VG+ or higher. It happens, but it is rare. Usually it makes much more sense to pay more and get a pristine copy. Unless it is something really rare like, I don't know, 1st press of Jackson C Frank or Davey Graham.

On mistake #9: What about those who buy a stereo pressing of a release on RCA where the album number ends with "(e)" meaning "Stereo Effect Reprocessed From Monophonic" or any RCA album with the album number ending with (e) meaning Stereo Effect Reprocessed From Monophonic? What do you think about those? :)

Enjoyed your video. As a collector for over a half century, and have always believed in cleanliness in vinyl, what you say is correct. Additions for my 2 cents would be; 1- wash your hands before playing, cleaning your records. Hand oil is destructive, 2- along with tone arm balance is making sure the anti skate adjustment is set properly. This is critical for the stylus not only to track properly, but save uneven wear on one channel, 3- for best results, play mono recordings on a turntable set for mono playing. All are set for stereo. Have always used 2 turntables, and the difference is quite striking. Especially on 45rpm 7".

What’s your opinion on cleaning dust off of records with swiffer pads?

What about the idea of buying record changers for playing albums like those double albums which have Sides 1 & 4 on Record 1 & Sides 2 & 3 on Record 2? What do you think about something like that? :)

The only thing that I have to say is to tilt the camera up a bit

Good video, agreed with your points - perhaps I'd add it's not only important to clean the records themselves but also the stylus. Even a clean stylus becomes a chisel over time - a dirty one will do so much quicker. If one finds out too late, stylus is easy to replace at any time, unlike some of the rare and almost impossible to get records. p.s. Hello there, Innerspeaker! ;)

Just saw this video and I have a question. I have cerebral palsy and was curious if using a microfiber cloth to help handle vinyl is ok? I have a collection of around 200 lp's and it's hard to handle the the way you and everyone else I've researched says. So I have a microfiber cloth glove I use. Just want opinions on if I need to find another way?

Want to say something about plastic outer sleeves! I've been a record collector since the 80s and the first outer plastic sleeves I bought were those with 'seams' on three edges. (guess most of you know which ones I'm talking about) After many years I found out that they also stuck to the covers and some covers got seriously damage when I removed the outersleeves. When I discovered this I removed all the those outersleeves and threw them in the trash can. Since then I have bought other kinds of outersleeves made of polypropylene plastic. These are SUPER CLEAR compared to the most common sleeves made of polyethylene plastic that gives the covers a foggy look that I don't like.

Here's something to share, I do clean outs and found a sealed pressing of Imagine John Lennon Soundtrack dbl album. The cover was covered in black mold. I took the lps out threw it away cleaned the albums with just water and soft record cleaning rag. I couldn't believe it but I cleaned it so well you wouldn't believe it was covered in mold. I played it and it plays very good. Now I have to find just the cover and inner sleeves. LOL. thx for the video.

I have a 1965 knight turntable and the arm tracks at 5G (recommended tracking force for needle. ) is this safe.

Couldn't help but notice you had Innerspeaker in the background :) my first record I bought was Lonerism

You may have meant Satan Is Real by The Louvin Brothers in your video. I'm sure someone else has mentioned that by now.

What do yall think about records that regularly go for 120+ that you really want then you see one for 90 to 100 bucks? Should i snatch that one up or wait till i maybe find one even cheaper?

I had about 5 records in my collection that were still in the cellophane. I'm glad I watched your video. One has been in there for at least 6 years, though it still sounds fine, I can only imagine how it would have sounded in a few years

Hello. I noticed you did not mention better inner sleeves (like mofi inner sleeves). Do you not feel the need for this?

How about those who buy re-issues of certain albums? Could that be considered a mistake some record collectors make? :)

At 6:40 Hey Joey. What does leg lifting incident have to do with care for vinyl records? :)

Cool video dude

I see innerspeaker in the background, what a class record

At 18:10, I think Daily Vinyl was referring to the 'Satan Is Real' LP by The Louvin Brothers and it is very rare and very expensive (although reissues probably exist).

What about laying one record down not stacked is it still okay I only have 2 and I am thinking of collecting

Is an Audio Technica a descent record player to start off with?

im new to vinyl but i cant think of many lps to get since new ones seem to have quality issues and even are recorded from digital

I bought a 2009 remasters of Revolver a few years back and right out of the sleeve it had a scratch and skipped in multiple places. Dissapointed, but not surprised because the remasters aren’t great quality

I got excited about a record looked at it seemed ok they had it as a VG+ and there was a scratch on the beginning of first song I Liked, Bummer! I only by Excellent or Near Mint now.

The no.1 mistake when making RU-vid videos is setting the camera height too low. Thanks for the great video. Buy a tripod.

you felt bad when your 24 min recording turned out to be a video that cut out half of your head huh? ;-)

I feel pretty lucky I am a novice collector, and have only purchased 2 records, both pressings (records / sleeves) are from near mint to very good plus. Discos is essential as a value guide and identifier reference.

I've been collecting vinyl since the 1960s. Most of your tips were fine with the exception of #7. Removing the shrink wrap diminishes the value of your albums. I have many albums in my collection that still have the shrink wrap on them, several are from the 60's and they are not warped or damaged in any way because of it. That is just a misconception that has been around for many years.

I got my first turntable for a gift this past Christmas it's a Ion lp trio what do you know about that brand it's great so far plays all my records I've purchased very well with good sound . I got 180g reissue of Zeppelin 4, a later pressing of the white album because Beatles isn't embossed in the jacket it written but it does have the poster and pictures, I got Let it be, and a reissue of Abbey Road which I'll never buy another Beatles reissue because here comes the sun skips on side b I have to get another copy

Spot on good advice

Do you have any suggestions for good quality record players to get?

I cleaned old records covered in nicotine gunk and dust. I had to work fast just so I could keep them in the house. I just used a soft washcloth warm water with some simple green in it. I did the sleeve and album and label.

Great video, lots of good advice and helpful tips. Quick comment, your #1 mistake could actually be the subject of your entire next posting. The turntable / tonearm / cartridge / amplifier / pre-amplifier / speaker system / cabling selections and how those components and equipment are all mated and matched together (along with the quality and cleanliness of the record) is where the rubber meets the road on quality of sound. Two thumbs up on your video.

overall you covered the beginner tips thoroughly but i would have to debate you on keeping the cellophane on records aka the shrink wrap, of course this is just my opinion from thorough research & personal experiences.i split the shrink on records at the outer sleeve opening & leave it on and also put a outer protective sleeve on it.i agree the shrink wrap can warp a record from being sealed on there to tight. i've seen fairly new pressings also have this issue because the pressing plant has sealed the shrink wrap on the record to tight. so in short sealed records will become warped if you keep them sealed another reason why you should open your records up and spin that vinyl.but if you unseal the record at the opening of the outer record sleeve & leave the shrink wrap on your records they will not warp you relieve the majority of the pressure the shrink is causing by doing so. i've seen multiple records that are 30+ yrs. still in shrink no warp at all.i personally leave the shrink on also because sometimes they have a hype sticker which can be cool, also in general if a collector sees a album they're seeking and sees it used but still in shrink & in really good condition they will almost the majority of times prefer it to a copy of the same album in similar condition without the shrink (this i'm sure also has to do with personal preference) but this is the preference i've been told by some collectors who are willing to spend serious amounts of money on first pressings.also another thing i don't think you mentioned was the importance of poly sleeves that are non scratching and have a anti static property, i can't tell you how many countless times i've seen brand new records with scuffing,debris & possibly surface noise due to paper sleeves. it's in my honest opinion it's very important to place you cherished records in high quality sleeves in the long run you will see & hear the difference.

There was an unfortunate tendency for some reissuers of monaural records to electronically transform the tracks into a kind of faux stereo. The worst of these just sent the left channel through a hi-pass filter, & the right channel through a lo-pass (or vice-versa). It was awful. I've got a Sun Ra LP that did it a little more subtly, by introducing a slight phase delay between the two channels, creating a kind of spacey ambience. I still prefer mixing the two channels back into true monaural.

Great advice.......particulary enjoyed the leg lifting incidents comment !!!

I am the new owner of a RPM 1 Carbon from Pro-Ject, with Ortofon 2M Red cartridge. It is ok for beginner?

where is some of of you favorite places to buy Records/

this is my question. So i am stupid young person (not that young though) who fell for the crossley gimmick but as soon as i researched i stopped playing them in it and sold it. Not that i played anything particularly rare or good in it. but did that one play through do some nasty damage? In fact any record player i have ever used has been some kind of gimmick combo. is it like meth where all it takes is one time and you're done lol?