Beat-up Records Appreciation
erewhon
1,123 Posts
Now, to be clear, I'm not talking about:I'm talking about those would-be $50-100 (or whatever, really) records that look totally beat to hell that you had to wash a pound of gunk off, but that play perfectly or close to it. These are the most satisfying records to own, because they just look at you as if to say "look, man, you can't put me through worse than I've already been through." There's no pussyfooting around with the protective sleeves, record brushes, white gloves, etc or fretting about resale value somewhere twenty years down the line. You just play the fuck out of 'em and enjoy 'em. Props.
Comments
Anyway, beat-up records that end up playing well are also great because you get good deals on them. The J.R. Bailey I found looked VG at best, a little dull, no scratches or anything, but it didn't sparkle. I had my doubts before I tested it out on the portable in the shop. It plays perfectly though, with zero audible noise, and my face melted when the owner checked out the condition and priced it at $5.
I'm not a super picky condition person in the first place, so VG (sometimes graded conservatively) is more like VG+ to me. Just another way that the rough looking ones can work out in your favor.
what about when the records are totally burned the fuck out right at the good spots? i got a soul searchers ashleys roach clip that goes pfffffffff right befor the break comes in. dj cue-a-lot must have been killing that shit!
i love those vg records!!!
I think this sounds even better beat-up.