The Beginner's Guide to Vinyl: How to Build, Maintain, and Experience a Music Collection in Analog

by Jenna Miles

The ultimate guide to starting and keeping a record collection!
 
Vinyl records are back--in a big way. Music lovers are turning back to vinyl for its pure sound and the fun of collecting. If you're ready to take the plunge, The Beginner's Guide to Vinyl will walk you through the basics of what is sure to become your newest passion.

Whether your musical tastes are jazz, rock, country, classical, or show tunes, you can find vinyl records from your favorite artists--but you have to know where to look. And DJ-turned-vinyl-expert Jenna Miles will let you know all that and more. Check out:
How records are made
Where to purchase a turntable
How to take care of both the machine and your vinyl records
And more!
If you're a more advanced audiophile, you'll find plenty of information about hardware beyond the entry-level options, along with a backstage pass to tidbits and stories about artists and the industry that you've never heard before. It's the next best thing to an afternoon spent at the record store!

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

Published December 2, 2016

Reviews

[Calee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I knew what I was doing when collecting vinyl, but it turns out I've made more rookie mistakes than I knew: purchased "unofficial" (bootleg) releases of albums never released on vinyl, and improperly stored and cleaned my vinyl (despite my best intentions).

This guide is fun to read and offers advice for those who are curious about vinyl and for those who are serious collectors.

[Aric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the best book I have come across for anyone interested in collecting vinyl records. It seems comprehensive touching on every facet that I can think of. It is a new hobby for me so perhaps there is some thing I am missing; perhaps a differing of opinion of one thing over another that will emerge in time.

[Alnardo Ayala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take the time to read this.

Very useful information, Should be mandatory to read if you're just getting into buying Vinyl. . . .. . .

[aysha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this, such a quick fun read, i learned ALOT

[LaShana Claude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freedom
Black in America
Wine, Kisses, Black
Death time

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was phenomenal in explaining everything about vinyl. It gave a lot of cool background information on the history of the turntable, to explaining complicated aspects about the hobby into digestible information.

[Ryan McShane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought my first record player just over a month ago. I wish I had read this beforehand!

I already knew I shouldn't touch the grooves with my fingers, etc, but I learned a lot of little things to help me along the way. This is an excellent guide to start collecting vinyl. Some of the most important tips:

• How to grade used records (and know when to buy and what to value)
• Where to shop for records online (and even locally)
• How to store and maintain records
• Where to go to learn more (there is still a lot people can't agree on when it comes to maintenance - the author simply gives you the common ground)

Based on the common sense advice in the book, I've decided to replace my inner sleeves with polylined paper and explore the marketplace in Discogs (as well as list my personal inventory there). I am also satisfied with my previous ATLP120BK-USB, IKEA Kallax, 3-mil poly outer sleeve, and Spin-Clean MK II purchases as a result.

[Darian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been at the edge of vinyl for a while now. I have a decent sized collection, I'm on my second turntable, and I've done tons of research. Still, it's an intimidating hobby for someone who doesn't consider themselves an audiophile. This book, however, is one of the one of the few sources I've come into contact with that felt like a true "beginner's guide". It hit everything I wanted to know, the gaps I still had after my research, and all the while managed to make me more excited about vinyl. A lot of beginner sources tend to come off like they are better than you because you don't know anything yet, but that's not an attitude that encourages someone to participate in something you love. This is a book that was written by someone who is passionate about vinyl and wants to take you on that journey with the understanding (and maybe even some joy) that they get to explain everything to you.

[Astrid Andriati · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started collecting vinyl records two years ago. This book gave so much information for beginners like me. From choosing the right turntable until how to preserve your vinyl collection. Must have book.

[Jay Gabler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readable and informative! For The Current, I wrote a ten-question quiz based on this book.

[Ken French · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not much I didn’t already know, but it’s always fun to read about my obsession!