View Full Version : How do you store your LPs?
mikecole
04-01-2014, 12:34
I built an LP rack in my closet that looks like the racks we were all used to seeing in record stores. Storing LPs the other way, where only the sides are showing would save a lot more space, but I have problems with that. I don't see that well, I have problems with my neck when looking sideways for extended periods, I don't look at names and titles when searching - I look at the pictures and usually I don't know what I want to hear anyway, so I just go to a letter I haven't visited in a while and flip thru until something pops out at me. So I was curious to hear how other people store their LPs and how they figure out what they want to listen to.
I agree storing them front on is a lot better. I used to do that when my collection was a lot smaller and would fit in 3 record boxes. Much easier to browse through. Now I really struggle to find a specific LP and I am too lazy to sort them into alphabetic order. Actually I did do it once but then found I was too lazy to replace them in alphabetic order. Ah well.
Hello Mike,
I can understand your preference for storing your LPs as is/was done in record stores, that is with the front of the sleeve facing you, as I too dislike having to get down on my hands and knees to read the record spines. Often, if the record has a clear outer sleeve for protection, the wording on the spine is difficult to read, so one has to pull out the records partially to see the front of the sleeve.
The only thing I would advise you to be aware of when storing your records the way you have, is to make sure the records are nearly vertical (no more than say 5 degrees off vertical), otherwise the pressure on the last LP may cause it to warp. Either that, or store your LPs in small batches of no more than say 10 LPs deep.
MikeMusic
04-01-2014, 15:57
I built an LP rack in my closet that looks like the racks we were all used to seeing in record stores. Storing LPs the other way, where only the sides are showing would save a lot more space, but I have problems with that. I don't see that well, I have problems with my neck when looking sideways for extended periods, I don't look at names and titles when searching - I look at the pictures and usually I don't know what I want to hear anyway, so I just go to a letter I haven't visited in a while and flip thru until something pops out at me. So I was curious to hear how other people store their LPs and how they figure out what they want to listen to.
Vertically in Ladderax cabinets, takes around 100- 150 each cabinet. Very rare in the US as a specialist UK company that went bust years ago. Ikea do some good stuff
I know what you mean abut readability and I now need glasses.
Alpha order helps so I can go to close to the right spot with that.
Have similar thoughts about CDs. I think the best way for them is vertical in a drawer, but how many spines can you read. not that many IMO
I built an LP rack in my closet that looks like the racks we were all used to seeing in record stores. Storing LPs the other way, where only the sides are showing would save a lot more space, but I have problems with that. I don't see that well, I have problems with my neck when looking sideways for extended periods, I don't look at names and titles when searching - I look at the pictures and usually I don't know what I want to hear anyway, so I just go to a letter I haven't visited in a while and flip thru until something pops out at me. So I was curious to hear how other people store their LPs and how they figure out what they want to listen to.
wrong area, this is strokes of genius!
I agree storing them front on is a lot better. I used to do that when my collection was a lot smaller and would fit in 3 record boxes. Much easier to browse through. Now I really struggle to find a specific LP and I am too lazy to sort them into alphabetic order. Actually I did do it once but then found I was too lazy to replace them in alphabetic order. Ah well.
What he said. My current method is 'scattered about the place in random order'; my 'most played' albums are stored front-on in two rows on the floor.
Gordon Steadman
15-01-2014, 16:53
Just like this.
As with everything in this place - its temporary.
The hi-fi is in a downstairs room that long term, will be Ronnie's sewing room. Pro-tem, its a guest bedroom/ music room.
The shelves used to be open but I bunged a couple of kitchen cupboard doors on them because one of our cats decided that LP covers are ideal for filling his claws with shredded cardboard. It means a few CDs are relegated to piles but better that than having to go through all the covers again with selotape:doh:
stupinder
15-01-2014, 17:23
Alphabetical order for the most part (rock and pop) and then I separate out Dance/electronic, Folk, Jazz, blues by genre and then alphabetical. I use the IKEA shelves that are pretty much made for storing vinyl. I'd MUCh prefer to be able to see the covers and flick through like that but it would just take up too much space. I also have a separate shelf for recent purchases that have yet to be cleaned on the RCM.
I too am quite lazy and I end up with a pile of records I've played leaning against the wall which I pop back in the proper place once in a while.
All this reminds me I REALLY need to clean some records soon!!
Oh, classical sits in its own section at the bottom of the shelves and is a section not often visited I'm afraid.
Just stacked on the floor so i can flick through and see covers.
Jimification
01-02-2014, 08:14
I store mine side on but front on is a nice idea. For one thing you have the artwork on display and for another it makes picking the next vinyl much easier if you listen in the dark, or in low light.
I store mine in Vitsoe shelving per the thumbnail below. Each shelf can take 200-220 albums or so. Not the cheapest system out there but beautifully engineered and made in Britain (despite the name). The company will do the design and installation for you (the latter for a reasonable fee).
The system is modular - expandable and contractable. It costs nothing compared to what some people spend on cables and you can take it with you whenever you move. It is very sturdy and will last out my son, let alone me. There are also easily levelled shelves for equipment and CD/DVD as well as all sizes of books. There is also a cable management system.
I agree that it would be preferable to have the faces forward rather than spines but I have my missus to worry about and she will tolerate this arrangement (just about), and it is also easier to squirrel away furtive acquisitions :lol:.
I have bought three sets of record store style alpha dividers for rock/pop, jazz and classical and have alphabetised the lot. Next thing is to wash the lot and put them in new paper sleeves and poly covers. I think that's my spring gone :(.
Audioman
01-02-2014, 15:52
Very nice but isn't that rad a bit close to the records ?
http://theartofsound.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=11494&d=1391002978
Very nice but isn't that rad a bit close to the records ?
Paul,
Yes it would be if they were on. But we have a glass south-east facing shop front with massive solar gain and we live next to a gastro-pub with the kitchens up against our walls, so we need no heating of our own in this room, ever:)!
Peter
The Barbarian
01-02-2014, 21:11
Very nice but isn't that rad a bit close to the records ?
http://theartofsound.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=11494&d=1391002978
Very nice but not white
Pete The Cat
09-02-2014, 21:00
Ikea (stop, no, really) Expedit.
Albums bought before 1985 are all still in the order that I got them, making it a kind of musical diary. After that I resorted to alphabetical order in order to make them easier to find.
Pete
Argos!
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss68/Lodger56/P1020003.jpg
Ikea 'Expedit'......
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/854/szw9.jpg
...and since that pic was taken, I've bought about another 300 albums, so I'm running out of space, fast!
Marco.
The Barbarian
10-02-2014, 09:53
Vertically in Ladderax cabinets, takes around 100- 150 each cabinet. Very rare in the US as a specialist UK company that went bust years ago.
I use Staples Ladderax, but it's very expensive to buy on the used market these days , the upright rails nearly always want re-finishing too..But it's modular & one of the best universal homestyle products ever created imho, there aint nothing you can't accomodate with your Ladderax systems, you can build them up as big or as small as you wish, in endless combinations..
Very nice but not white
Andr'e,
They also come in black and grey paint finishes for the more austere look!
Best
P
I use Staples Ladderax, but it's very expensive to buy on the used market these days , the upright rails nearly always want re-finishing too..But it's modular & one of the best universal homestyle products ever created imho, there aint nothing you can't accomodate with your Ladderax systems, you can build them up as big or as small as you wish, in endless combinations..
Andr'e
Great stuff, Ladderax. I do believe it is being manufactured again but it is eye-wateringly expensive.
Cadovius comes up on the second hand market as well in a range of woods - rosewood etc.
Those mid-Century designs have a bog following so there are seldom bargain, sadly...
MikeMusic
10-02-2014, 10:26
I use Staples Ladderax, but it's very expensive to buy on the used market these days , the upright rails nearly always want re-finishing too..But it's modular & one of the best universal homestyle products ever created imho, there aint nothing you can't accomodate with your Ladderax systems, you can build them up as big or as small as you wish, in endless combinations..
I have loads of it.
Except, I could do with another record cabinet or two.....
Last purchase was 2 x 3' ones for 99p each :)
EXPEDIT here too - it's great!
http://www.simister.com/public/expedit.jpg
Ikea 'Expedit'......
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/marco_zpsea9f470c.jpg (http://s173.photobucket.com/user/greatgig/media/marco_zpsea9f470c.jpg.html)
...and since that pic was taken, I've bought about another 300 albums, so I'm running out of space, fast!
Marco.
Captain Tidy thinks you lot are really just closet collectors :lol:
My 3,000 odd album collection is on one of these ...
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/red_zps5fbd64d6.jpg (http://s173.photobucket.com/user/greatgig/media/red_zps5fbd64d6.jpg.html)
... and I browse through it here ...
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/folder2_zps0891cbd5.jpg (http://s173.photobucket.com/user/greatgig/media/folder2_zps0891cbd5.jpg.html)
Unfortunately the hard drive didn't come with the lady though!
However, whatever way you get/store your music is great and the more there is the better I say. I know what I do probably does nothing whatsoever for the majority here, but a large collection like that would give me sleepless nights :eek:
(I'm also currently scanning all the artwork, discs and booklets to .pdf like this (http://www.bluedive.co.uk/example.pdf), so everything will be at my fingertips - only 2,000 odd to go!)
"Compulsive hoarding (more accurately described as "hoarding disorder") is a pattern of behaviour that is characterized by the excessive acquisition of and inability or unwillingness to discard large quantities of objects that cover the living areas of the home".
Wheras Captain Messy does it like this:
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac233/Macca_photos_2009/coll001.jpg (http://s903.photobucket.com/user/Macca_photos_2009/media/coll001.jpg.html)
Bought the bookcase in Homebase years and years ago, can't remember how much it cost. Not a lot, anyway. In any case as you see it is full now.
I intend to sort it out and get rid of all the stuff I never play which should cut it down by 30% or so. There are about another 50 or so albums elsewhere in the room at the mo.
Wheras Captain Messy does it like this:
That's not so bad Martin ;)
That's not so bad Martin ;)
Aw - I was hoping that picture would give you palpatations ;)
hifi_dave
11-02-2014, 11:09
I have several Ladderax cabinets with drop down or sliding doors. Two of these cabinets have vertical divisions to keep the LPs upright and spaced - perfect. Unfortunately, I chucked all the metal uprights some years ago and have regretted it ever since. I wonder if they will ever start manufacture again ?
MikeMusic
11-02-2014, 11:26
I have several Ladderax cabinets with drop down or sliding doors. Two of these cabinets have vertical divisions to keep the LPs upright and spaced - perfect. Unfortunately, I chucked all the metal uprights some years ago and have regretted it ever since. I wonder if they will ever start manufacture again ?
You can buy metal or wood uprights on Ebay 2nd hand
I'm sure a metal basher somewhere could make metal ladders up
You can buy metal or wood uprights on Ebay 2nd hand
I'm sure a metal basher somewhere could make metal ladders up
There are several on at the moment!
The Barbarian
15-02-2014, 16:06
Here goes thats a perfect starter set for LP's. just level the runs up & fix each ladder to the back wall,those ladders were made to sit on the back wall without the skirting board fouling, height adjustable front foot, there was also a two foot version available for freestanding.. supports & ladders can be easily obtained at cost. Ladders we available in White, Black or gold..later ladders were wood but i didnt like those ones.. I have some original product brochures somewhere i'll see if i can dig them oot.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-RETRO-LADDERAX-TEAK-SHELVING-SYSTEM-/331128990173?pt=UK_Bedroom_Furniture&hash=item4d18d369dd
dantheman91
15-02-2014, 16:18
Like This:
:cool:
Yesterday, I joined the Expedit club.
Now I just need some more vinyl to stop it looking quite so empty! :lol:
I keep them in sleeves and then in aluminium boxes. I then rotate a few boxes out at a time.I could do with more boxes thogh as they are a tad tight now but it keeps them safe and unwarpable, and dust free...ish.think I have 12 boxes so about 500/600 records at a guess.
PaulStewart
17-02-2014, 23:50
I use Ikea Bonde, which is a pre Expedit shelving system for the albums plus about 10 iCubes www.i-cubes.co.uk (http://www.i-cubes.co.uk/). I use Billy CD and DVD racks for the silver discs. In the warehouse unit I have loads of really useful boxes with about another 1000 albums and 700 CDs. I also keep my old 7" singles there which are in three 500 capacity wood cases. :)
I'm getting an Expedit today, finally my LP's have a more permanent home.. Btw it's 4 cube so lots of room !!
I believe IKEA are about to discontinue the Expedit range in April - so make sure you buy enough now if you want it all to match.
Love it, it was so easy to put up looks great. I will be sure to get another smaller one soon, thanks.
daytona600
22-02-2014, 21:59
off to ikea tomorrow to buy a couple before they delete them
10,000+ protest group campaign on facebook germany
http://www.factmag.com/2014/02/19/vinyl-lovers-despair-as-ikea-discontinue-the-expedit-shelf/
stupinder
24-02-2014, 15:24
Expedit...
http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o433/Stupinder/records_zps22f6c6af.jpg (http://s342.photobucket.com/user/Stupinder/media/records_zps22f6c6af.jpg.html)
shadowphax
07-03-2014, 10:30
Alphabetical order for the most part (rock and pop) and then I separate out Dance/electronic, Folk, Jazz, blues by genre and then alphabetical. I use the IKEA shelves that are pretty much made for storing vinyl.
I too am quite lazy and I end up with a pile of records I've played leaning against the wall which I pop back in the proper place once in a while.
All this reminds me I REALLY need to clean some records soon!!
Oh, classical sits in its own section at the bottom of the shelves and is a section not often visited I'm afraid.
I think you just described my listening room. Have you been sneaking around and having a quick peek?
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