Rusty's Opinion: Rusty Li

 

Hola mi amigos! Ol’ Grumpy Bastard is back with another handy guide to surviving those infuriating 21st (well let’s be honest mid-20th) Century problems. Today we’re going to look at the “joys” of buying records.

I’ll start by emphasising these are my views and, potentially, my views alone.  But I’m old, I’m grumpy and I’m exceedingly short of patience – these are the three pillars on which my life is built.

There are loads of decent record shops in Leeds and we’re blessed with record fairs at Kirkgate Market, Brudenell Social Club and Project House (apologies if I missed any). Opportunities to “invest” your hard (or in my case barely) earned cash are plentiful and long may that continue. How then does yours truly plan his attack in terms of maximising reward whilst minimising energy?

#1 – If you find a dealer or shop who serves up the particular preference of plastic your palate has a predilection for at a reasonable price, and in the condition they promise, then do everything within your power to foster that relationship. Love them, honour them, offer to babysit their kids, wash their dog, walk their car; they are worth their weight in LITA releases! Treat ‘em right and they’ll sort you out and should anything unforeseen ever happen they’ll make it right.

#2 – A stitch in time and all that: cataloguing your collection on Disco G’s popular website will reduce the risk of repeated requisition of records. This is particularly useful when trying to recall whether that particular King Gizz’ LP is already safely nestled within the Kallax or a glaring omission from the collection. 

#3 – Some folk like nothing better than digging through dozens of dusty crates in the hope of unearthing some overlooked treasure; unfortunately, unless the rack sits at a HSE approved height my back isn’t going to play ball. Nor do I have the inclination to rifle through umpteen uncategorised boxes which often look like stuff the chazza refused. The way I see it, if the seller can’t be bothered to put birds of a genre’s stock together, they’re highly unlikely to have checked the condition; meaning even if you do find something it’s probably buggered anyway.

#4 – Not only will a decent dealer have records worth buying, but they’ll also know what they’ve got and more-or-less whereabouts it is among the masses of merchandise. Looking for something specific? Save time and ask! At a record fair there’s a reasonable chance striking up a conversation with the stallholder will reap rewards one way or another.

#5 – Avoid that “spider in a bath” feeling by making a list and checking it twice, if you’re feeling particularly proper preparation-y add a ballpark price. When I’ve done this I’ve come away from a vinyl hunting trip with more purchases than I achieve by half-heartedly flipping through the sections and noting the albums I already own.

#6 – Risk your heart on a sleeve! See a record you don’t know but the artwork “speaks to you”? Take a chance on it! If you can - ask to have a listen (always a good plan if you’re buying second hand). Also, if the cover has been looked after then chance is the record has too. Similarly spindle marks on the label tell a story about how often and how carefully the pressing has been plonked on the platter.

Quick-tips: 

#1 - Using the torch on a mobile phone will give you a better view of the vinyl than daylight alone. 

#2 - A Disco Antistat (Google it) record cleaner and some super-cheap home brew fluid (again Google it) will pay for itself by rescuing crackly wax in half a dozen record shopping trips - trust me. 

#3 – There is NOTHING more minging than the state of your hands after an hour handling grimy PVC sleeves. A little pack of wet wipes or mini alcohol wipes for when you’ve finished is like the hot towel after a curry. *Chef’s kiss!* (seriously don’t even think about touching your lips until you’ve cleaned those-dirty-digits).

Finally – Enjoy it! After all what’s the alternative? A Sp*tify subscription?

Words and Picture by Rusty Li.