Record collecting versus hoarding

 @lewm - I have tolerance for everybody, just not for those that have multiple copies of the same record and never listen to them who buy with the intent to scalp (except of course the dealers). Let anyone who wants a record get it for MSRP or less (Amazon).Those that are just disorganized or unaware hoarders can do what they do. You sound like you are aware of your hoarding, so like you say, you are not a hoarder. Personally, if I have to go down to the basement to get a record to play, it will never get played. My efficiency (anal if you must) mindset dictates that any record in my rotation (97% at this point) is within 1-2 steps of my turntable. Not bending down or opening a glass door is preferable, but not possible for about 2/3 of them.  

+1 @mkiser - 2200 is a lot, but it sounds like you use and value each record or you toss it. I only sell on line if it is particularly valuable or for some reason my local record store is trying to steal it from me.

@mitchagain - I think for the most part, your circle of friends is representative. There are always exceptions. For example, my brother in law has 2-3K records all bought individually, and a very expensive set up (top of the line multi arm VPI, new CJ electronics, Vivid speakers) but he doesn't eve brush his records for dust before playing them, and I have even seen him remove dust from the stylus with his hands! He has cash to burn I guess as is not particularly into optimizing what he has purchased. That's a new category of audiophile, which is kind of oxymoronic, not really trying to constantly improve the sound.

+1 @whart 

@sokogear- with respect, I'm not sure you understand that there are record collectors apart from audiophiles. One famous one just passed- he had what some consider to be the best collection of 78s in the world- not by volume but by rarity. He was asked what he would do when he passed and said he didn't want them to go to the Smithsonian or Library of Congress because they would just get put in a vault after cataloging.

But, I took a visit to the Library intake center back in late 2014 and one comment made by the director of the facility stuck with me- if it weren't for these private collectors- not all of them rich or in it for the money (many of them self taught amateurs)-- these records and artifacts (whether shellac, wax, wire recordings or whatever) would have been lost to time. 

I'm a piker compared to somebody like that-- I came up in audiophile world where everybody played the same batch of "demo quality" records. Eventually I got bored with that and sought out my own path.

My point is not to criticize you-- instead, just to open a window on this other world for you if it isn't familiar. I can post a link to a piece I wrote after that Library visit-- you might find it interesting. 

regards,

Bill

I consider that to be like stamp or coin collecting. I'm used to those kinds of records mainly sought after to be profited from. 

I am not a history buff (or collector of anything - I hate wasting anything - if I don't use it, I get the itch to get rid of it), but I guess anything rare or old can be collected for historical purposes. I've heard of all kinds of things being collected for no other reason than collecting them (usually for profit-short or long term) vacuum cleaners, toasters, the guy who mentioned bikes, typewriters, really anything.

I still think the artist would have preferred to have his music listened to rather than sitting in a museum. If they digitize it and make it free to listen to or download, that would be ideal before storing it away.

Quality vs Quantity has been my mantra, and I weeded out any record that didn't meet expectations....resulting in a modest 600 plus collection that stopped when my ex finally badgered me into selling them off; CDs were my main interest anyway back in the 80's.

The quantity of promotional records distributed free to stores, radio stations, etc. during the day was incredible, and my disc jockey friends would let me take whatever I wanted from the unused promo stacks littering the radio station hallways. 

If I had so desired, my collection would have numbered in the thousands pretty quickly......but that wasn't the point.

It's pretty exciting to be at or close to being able to stream uncompressed music,  unlike vinyl records.

It behooves me to have about half or more of my LP collection in our basement, because I have an entirely separate audio system also in the basement, which is finished like anyone’s living room. Generally, the LPs in the basement stay in the basement and are played on that system. LPs on the first floor are played on the first floor audio system, by and large. Of course, if I am listening to one of the two systems, and I develop a desire to listen to one particular LP that is on another level of our home, I use the stairs and get it.

I actually don’t think I qualify as a hoarder, by normal standards if not by your standards. About 6 years ago a dear friend of mine passed away. He had 6000 LPs, and his wife offered me my pick of his collection, or all of it if I wanted. I picked out about 900 of his LPs, and she gave the remainder away to a charity. A hoarder would have taken them all. I also don’t think I am much of a "collector", in the sense that a collector would want to accumulate "collectible" LPs. We know what those are. I rarely buy any LPs at all these days, but if I do it will only be for the music, regardless of the label, rarity, or codified collector value. That has always been my modus operandi.