1-How big is it(cds,vinyl,downloads etc)(Include display pics etc if you want.)
Around 5,000 or so LP's and 7 Inchers (give or take a few hundred). Any additional income I have after bills is spent on either music equipment (guitar gear, recording gear, etc.) or VINYL. I spend at least $200 a month, sometimes more, if my budget permits. Also, I work in a record store and get store credit for work additional to my regular hours. I spend a lot and I miss the days when all my pals were collecters of LP's (and even CD's). We used to go "record store hopping" together and would trade LP's or whatever. Now with most people stealing mp3s all the time, that excitement is essentially gone.
2-Is there stuff you have not played(how much)
Yes. I have stuff I bought a decade ago that I have yet to even break the seal. This isn't really by choice, it just got lost in my collection. Recently I have started recording all my LP's to my hard drive, as well as keeping a log (trying to, anyway) of my entire LP and 7 Inch collection. I photograph them, record them and log them into a text document. One day, they will all be played! (other than the additional copies I've acquired over the years!
There are "pricey" records that I play and record once and that is it. The less I have to play them, the better.
3-Do you buy your music or do you take the odd frebbie download from blogs.
I have to admit, when the whole "downloading phenomenon" was in it's early stages, I was a part of the whole "leeching music community." However, over time that killed a lot of the excitement that comes with being a "record collector" for me. I no longer download/leech free music, spare for the odd-out of print record that is nearly impossible to find, as well as old hard rock/psych comps (such as "The Doom That Time Forgot" and "The Day After The Sabbath). Do I download newer music? Never. It's easier for me to enjoy music that I actually purchased and "have to take care of." It's much easier to dismiss something that you had to put little effort into getting. A lot of people I know that do leech a lot of mp3s and what not seem to be a lot more jaded about music and seem to write off good music. I think a lot of that has to do with "free music overkill."
4-How much per month do you think you spend?
See answer to question #1. It really depends on BILLS. hahaha.
5-Is your collection out of control and growing like a monster
YES. In 2009 I built a decent sized closet to store all of my vinyl. That is now stuffed full and I am putting LP's in a coffin case that holds 150 LPs, which will be STUFFED in less than a couple months. I'm getting ready to build more shelving to accommodate my LP/7 Inch collection. Unfortunately, I will not be able to store them all in a closet/separate room like I would prefer. Maybe someday.
6-How many chances do you give a purchase(eg 3 goes)
Depends on the record, what type of music it is, etc. I find it easier to get attached to certain records, more so than others. I tend to give newer music less of a chance than older music.
7-Do you have stuff that you do not like(eg part of a bands discography)
Yes, I do. There are certain bands I HAVE to own everything by, such as KISS. I literally HATE the "Crazy Nights" and "Hot In The Shade" LP's, but I own them both. I also own singles released from those albums. I have a Crazy Nights picture disc, etc. There is literally no KISS vinyl that I will pass on. I'd like to own it all, which is damn near impossible, if you include the bootlegs. (No. I do not collect KISS toys, or other goofy merchandise like condoms of coffins... just vinyl). There are many other bands I give this sort of attention to, such as Deep Purple... several punk/hardcore bands (my favorite genres). I own the "Grave New World" LP by Discharge, which is actually a very disgusting LP. (nice avatar, btw)
8-Do you sell off parts of your collection from time to time.
I do a lot of trading. Nothing in my collection is really off limits. I would trade almost anything "for the right record." I've accumulated a bunch of extra copies through big trades or even buying collections from people over the years. Sometimes I even forget whether or not I own a record and will end up with an extra copy. Sometimes I even buy things I already own, due to them being priced really low. I use these extra copies for trade. Sometimes I hold onto them, sometimes I sell them. Do I sell rare LP's in my collection because I need money for something else? NEVER! I have traded LP's for guitars and related gear many times, but that's about it!!!
9-Please feel free to say anything else.
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Vinyl is a WAY OF LIFE for me. Being a "record geek" keeps music and my life exciting. There was a 3 year period in the mid/late 90's when I wasn't able to afford to buy music. It was probably the most miserable time of my life. The lack of being able to be involved with other traders and collectors in the "record collecting community" was a big part of it. I find life a lot more fun and exciting when I am able to share my excitement for music collecting in a social manner. At one time, all of my friends were either collectors or musicians. Of course, as I've gotten older, priorities change and people change. These days, I am not surrounded by as many people that collect, play and love music... that's why I LOVE WORKING IN A RECORD STORE FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!11 I hardly consider talking about music with customers or even directing them to whatever they are looking for in the store "work." Of course there are laborious aspects to my job, but I tend to not be bothered by that. Even if it's music I don't care for being discussed, I enjoy the excitement people can generate when they find something they are looking for. For me, there is nothing else in life that can generate that kind of excitement!!! It's quite a rush!!!
