Contemplating vinyl, How hard is it to get LPs?



This may sound lame, but I've been "digital only" now
for 10 years. I was thinking about getting a Rega
Planar 3 and going back. So as stupid as it may
sound, I wanted to get a feeling for how hard it
would be to start an LP collection of 70s/80s
music?

Rolling Stones, Van Halen, Journey, Don Henley,
Aerosmith, Boston.. These are the bands I would
be looking for. Are LPs readily Mail Orderable
and or is it a scavenger hunt kind of process?

How much do LPs cost these days? Are they pressing
new music on LP?

Thanks
Tom
eastside_guy
Many mail order houses for vinyl these days, also you can buy albums by the groups you list in good condition used from time to time on this site, also check eBay. Some new music is also issued on vinyl, but not by the groups you listed (obviously). Websites for good new heavy (180 gram) vinyl were recently posted in a thread in this forum, so check the search function for those posts. Music Direct at www.amusicdirect.com has many labels and good prices. Better Records out of Chicago does too (also a mail order outfit). And you can always start combing through the old used record stores, full of dust and gems. You can find one or two in most cities you happen to visit, it's fun to go looking for both the stores and the LPs.
Good luck and happy hunting!
I have no trouble finding LP's and prefer shopping for them over cd's. Used record stores are everywhere, and there are also mail order companies. "Audiophile" quality new pressings and collector stuff is expensive, but older albums are $5-$15 for good condition. There are more and more progressive (regressive?) bands recording new music to vinyl. You will want a vaccuum cleaner or VPI or Nitty Gritty. P3 is a good table, but the VPI Jr. can be upgraded for better sound if you get hooked on vinyl (many people do). Paul
I suppose it depends on where you live, but I live in Chicago and they're plentiful and usually cheap. Those bands you mention are all very common and standard pressings could probably be found for a few dollars in great shape. Collectors' pressings will cost more, of course.

Many places sell used LPs via mail or the web, but I've found the results to be mixed. You never know what you're going to get unless you find a place you can trust. Peoples' ratings vary greatly.