View Full Version : Who buys Vinyl?
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/12/vinyl-destination-who-is-actually-buying-records
Interesting article Jim - and quite believable IMO.
Audio Al
12-08-2016, 09:44
Me , i do :)
Interesting article Jim - and quite believable IMO.
I fit into the age group and yes I have replaced some of the vinyl I used to own so it is probably accurate.
However the article was written from the perspective of buyers in a secondhand shop where as a lot of vinyl is bought on line.
“Someone came in recently and said: ‘I don’t have a record player, but I want to buy a Radiohead record so we can put it on our shelf,’” he says.
This is sad for three reasons:
1) buying records without owning a record player
2) declaring shared ownership in a shelf
3) Radiohead
So tragic in fact, that if Tchaikovsky were still alive he would be moved to pen a symphony about it. Which would be released on vinyl and no doubt sit unused on 'our shelf'.
This article might have been thought through a bit better. I mean I know it is the Grauniad and all, but why not go around the shops on a Saturday when most people are not at work and get an idea of the the true demographic?
I agree with you there Martin. It was just another vinyl story to fill the newspapers and keep the vinyl story rolling!:)
prestonchipfryer
12-08-2016, 15:34
I buy vinyl because it, mostly, it sounds so right! :)
hifi_dave
12-08-2016, 15:55
The past two years, I have seen quite a few youngsters buying their first turntable. This is usually a Rega RP1 and now the P1, budget decks which are plug n play. Quite a lot more interest in vinyl replay than I have seen for several years.
When I was in Leeds vinyl hunting about 2 years back you had to fight for a space at the racks amongst all the young preppy types with expensive haircuts and polo necks. It will be interesting to see what happens in ou local independent record shop when this place becomes student central in September. It's not a big place, might struggle to get in the door.
Martyn Miles
13-08-2016, 08:50
I hadn't bought a new record ( remember it's a record, not 'vinyl' ) for ages,
but then heard Bob Dylan's 'Lay Lady, Lay' on the radio.
Took a chance and ordered a new 180g pressing.
Apart from the initial tape hiss (!) the record sounds excellent.
I'm now considering the Beach Boys' 'Pet Sounds' on 180g.
Martyn.
Clive197
13-08-2016, 09:03
“Someone came in recently and said: ‘I don’t have a record player, but I want to buy a Radiohead record so we can put it on our shelf,’” he says.
This is sad for three reasons:
1) buying records without owning a record player
2) declaring shared ownership in a shelf
3) Radiohead
So tragic in fact, that if Tchaikovsky were still alive he would be moved to pen a symphony about it. Which would be released on vinyl and no doubt sit unused on 'our shelf'.
This article might have been thought through a bit better. I mean I know it is the Grauniad and all, but why not go around the shops on a Saturday when most people are not at work and get an idea of the the true demographic?
Harsh......but probably true, except the bit about Radiohead. My son has just returned from New York where he went for the sole reason of seeing said group's gig at Madison Sq Gardens. Now that's sad.
In truth I am agnostic with regards to Radiohead. But please pass my condolences on to your son.
Floyddroid
13-08-2016, 09:55
I do.
I buy vinyl as well as other formats.
I admit to being a bit of a Radiohead fanboy, ignored them for years then got a chance to see them live. Wow. I was hooked after that. Time will show them to be one of the most important British acts i think. Radiohead are one of those acts who at the height of their success took the path of doing what they wanted to do rather than the commercial route. That gives them huge credibility amongst their fanbase, although we're often divided over their output, and amongst critics. Nobody can doubt their integrity.
remember when the "voyager" space probe was launched ? It included a Gold LP sampling of earth's Muzak.
Curious inclusion at the time, now Laughable, a few decades later.
Spectral Morn
14-08-2016, 07:15
I never got rid of my vinyl record collection and have added to it over the years. I do buy current vinyl releases but I am selective with what I buy - most recent purchass the Peter Gabriel 45 rpm re-releases. I do still buy CDs though and SACDs when I find them.
remember when the "voyager" space probe was launched ? It included a Gold LP sampling of earth's Muzak.
Curious inclusion at the time, now Laughable, a few decades later.
Indeed . Aliens will almost certainly be digital only. They are way to busy with their anal probing program to be bothered with all the faff of vinyl.
Indeed . Aliens will almost certainly be digital only. They are way to busy with their anal probing program to be bothered with all the faff of vinyl.
They dont do that now. Theres only so much information you can get from a fart
Well then I for one welcome our new vinyl-buying alien overlords.
:lol: yes they went digital due to weight restrictions.
I kept a good amount of my collection, but did sell a lot of prog, that on reflection was a financial error, as its all worth at lot, or would have been to me doh!
remember when the "voyager" space probe was launched ? It included a Gold LP sampling of earth's Muzak.
Curious inclusion at the time, now Laughable, a few decades later.
Not if aliens turn out to be bearded hipster types, sipping skinny lattes and 'into' everything retro.
When I was young, I told people I wanted to be a comedian, and they laughed at me. Well, I'm a comedian now, and they're not laughing any more!
I don't recall ever selling a vinyl LP. I gave away a copy of Rumours to a girlfriend. And a nice price repressing of 461 Ocean Boulevard to a mate as I found a good original one with the proper gatefold sleeve. Thought about selling it all but can't bring myself to do it. There are records in my collection I've had over 30 years. Too much emotional attachment.
I don't recall ever selling a vinyl LP. I gave away a copy of Rumours to a girlfriend. And a nice price repressing of 461 Ocean Boulevard to a mate as I found a good original one with the proper gatefold sleeve. Thought about selling it all but can't bring myself to do it. There are records in my collection I've had over 30 years. Too much emotional attachment.
Funnily enough I acquired my copy of Rumours free from someone who was ditching her vinyl collection.
I've sold/given away about a dozen LPs that I never played or was embarrassed to own, but the only one I regret selling was an import copy of 'Nuggets', a 60's compilation put together by Lenny Kaye. I sold it at a time when I was in dire financial straits, but the £20 or so I got for it made little difference. I actually bought a vinyl replacement a year or so back; but miss the hiss and crackle of my much-played original copy.
Not if aliens turn out to be bearded hipster types, sipping skinny lattes and 'into' everything retro.
When I was young, I told people I wanted to be a comedian, and they laughed at me. Well, I'm a comedian now, and they're not laughing any more!
So not a funny comic then lol...made me larf:)
Gave someone a copy of the loch ness monster ..well sold it cheap as i was stuck for cash... Minty and played once... Its worth a few bob now i bet in that condition... At least it went to a mate.
CornishPasty
14-08-2016, 10:12
I buy maybe twenty records a year. I don't buy blind anymore so I know I won't buy much I won't keep. If I can't get I to vinyl I'll buy it on cd. I've never bought a download and I rarely listen to downloaded music.
I have a friend who has a turntable only system with no interest in any other format. He has a huge collection and must buy at least a dozen albums every month. I visit quite often and there's always loads of new stuff to listen to.
I've given away dozens of records to either friends, jumble sales or charity shops. If I find I'm not playing any record that frequently, or if my tastes have moved on, I'll ditch the record - my house is already cluttered up enough with books, records and CDs.
Of course that doesn't stop me buying vinyl at boot fairs etc., but rarely do I buy new vinyl.
Of course that doesn't stop me buying vinyl at boot fairs etc., but rarely do I buy new vinyl.
Yesh, but that's only 'cos you're too tight to pay the asking prices! :eyebrows:;) Also, or correct me if I'm wrong, because you tend to listen to the same genres of music you've always listened to and generally don't 'do' new bands/artists out with of what one could call your 'usual suspects'...
Seriously though, you're missing out on some fab new stuff, not least astounding sounding reissues/remasters of some of your favoured 'classics', the best of which really do push the boundaries of what the humble vinyl record is capable of! :)
Marco.
P.S In answer to the OP... ME, ME - I have around 3500 of the buggers, and that number is growing all the time!! :eek:
daytona600
15-08-2016, 14:26
Who buys records ?
84,130,000 Million People (+ several million sold out & more production presses coming online each month)
http://www.analogplanet.com/content/were-approximately-80000000-records-pressed-worldwide-2015#QPRl3g5D3z7I6316.9
Who buys records ?
84,130,000 Million People (+ several million sold out & more production presses coming online each month)
http://www.analogplanet.com/content/were-approximately-80000000-records-pressed-worldwide-2015#QPRl3g5D3z7I6316.9
Assuming they all bought one record each that year. Make it an average of 4 per person per year (which is conservative I think) and that's 20 million people worldwide buying new vinyl. So very much a niche market.
Assuming they all bought one record each that year. Make it an average of 4 per person per year (which is conservative I think) and that's 20 million people worldwide buying new vinyl. So very much a niche market.
20 million not massive worldwide buying vinyl but I would be interested how many people stump up the cash to buy 24 bit Hi Rez downloads rather than MP3 quality which is what most digital download folk purchase.
still the second-hand market dont forget
still the second-hand market dont forget
That's probably bigger?
That's probably bigger?
I would think its a lot bigger, but hard to quantify. Vinyl new is, to an extent held back by the supply these days, although that is improving, as are sales.
daytona600
15-08-2016, 21:05
Assuming they all bought one record each that year. Make it an average of 4 per person per year (which is conservative I think) and that's 20 million people worldwide buying new vinyl. So very much a niche market.
20 million people is no niche market - bigger than the scottish , welsh & northern irish population
19.9 million more than people who bought a quality hifi system in 2015
+ add in 2nd hand vinyl bought & several hundred million
The second hand market is irrelevant, future survival depends on new sales continuing the upward trend. 20 million consumers globally is a niche. Don't get me wrong, as a traditionalist I am all for it; but best to walk before running and that means at least sorting out pressing quality.
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