Through our Make Friends or Die series, we’re exploring a new community each week to better understand why they matter, how they’re built, and how meaningful connections form beyond transactions.
You know you’re a vinyl collector if your records are meticulously organized with dividers by genre and then alphabetically. You regularly buy plastic sleeves to protect your collection and often find yourself gravitating toward the turntable at parties, spending more time browsing the host’s vinyl collection than socializing. On weekends, you’re likely to smell a bit dusty from hours spent sifting through crates at record stores and thrift shops, hunting for hidden treasures. These habits and quirks are hallmarks of a true vinyl enthusiast.
Vinyl collectors are a diverse group of music lovers, ranging in age from young adults rediscovering retro culture to seasoned audiophiles who have been building their cherished collections for decades. They appreciate the unique qualities of vinyl, such as its warm sound, iconic album art, and the ritual associated with playing records. As a hobby, vinyl collecting accounted for 40% of album sales in the U.S. in 2023.
Q: How did you first discover the vinyl collectors community, and what makes it meaningful to you?
I started collecting vinyl after my mom gifted me her collection in my twenties. These were the albums I grew up listening to with her, and they laid the foundation for my own love of music. Her collection charted her personal musical journey from her teenage years into adulthood. As a child, I remember studying the album jackets and admiring the creative details in the artwork—like the vaguely explicit illustrated Americana of the Beach Boys’ Spirit of America, the ethereal art nouveau of Spyro Gyra’s Morning Dance, and the bohemian chic of The Talking Heads’ Little Creatures.
Her collection made us a community of two and exposed me to genres that expanded my musical knowledge and appreciation. It even inspired me to take up jazz saxophone for 18 years. After I began collecting on my own, I discovered community through friends who were also collectors and music lovers. I started visiting independent music shops, where I could not only add to my collection but also get excellent recommendations from the music lovers who worked there. Every record store has a vinyl community eager to introduce you to something you’ve never heard before.
Q: What unites the community? What does the community stand for or against?
Vinyl collectors are united in their love of music, artistic expression, and nostalgia, blending music appreciation with a sense of history and connection to the past. They value the importance of caring for your collection and preserving the sound quality that vinyl produces. Some of the more hardcore collectors wax poetic on the flattening of sound that digital mediums have produced, but most collectors are united in their love for preserving the ritual of playing records, the uniqueness of how vinyl sounds, and the joy of taking the time to play an album you love for other people.
Q: Where does this community typically gather, either online, offline, or both?
Record stores serve as a local hub for the vinyl collecting community, offering spaces where collectors can browse albums, discuss music with fellow enthusiasts, and connect with shop employees who share their passion. Online, Discogs serves as a central resource for collectors, functioning as a marketplace, community forum, and personal cataloging tool. Flea markets and thrift stores are also popular gathering spots, particularly for those hunting for hidden treasures. These venues often yield unexpected finds at low prices. Together, these spaces create a vibrant mix of in-person and online interactions that keep the vinyl collecting community thriving.
Q: What is a standout statistic or fact that captures the essence of this community?
Vinyl records were nearly rendered obsolete with the rise of CDs in the late eighties and especially into the nineties. In 1995, vinyl sales were nearly 0.5 million units, but by 2024, they had surged to 24.3 million units. Vinyl even surpassed CD sales for the first time in 25 years in 2022, underscoring its resurgence as a beloved format for music enthusiasts.
Q: What experience best embodies the spirit of the vinyl collecting community?
Playing a record for someone is often considered the vinyl collector’s love language. Carefully selecting an album with personal significance and sharing it with others is an intimate way to express feelings and connect through music. When a group of collectors gathers, they understand that the music isn’t just background noise; it’s meant to be the centerpiece of the experience, sparking conversation and appreciation among the group. This shared respect and passion for music truly captures the essence of the vinyl collecting community.
The Collector's Grading Guide
MINT CONDITION MAGIC
A Mint (M) record is the holy grail of vinyl collecting. Unplayed and flawless, it’s a treasure for its pristine sound and untouched beauty.
CHARM IN THE WEAR
Very Good Plus (VG+) records carry light surface noise and minor wear, telling a story while still offering pleasurable listening experience.
IMPERFECTLY PRICELESS
Even Poor (P) records hold value, cherished for their rarity or historical significance rather than playback quality.
