A little thought and time applied to this issue can considerably increase your vinyl pleasure. Imagine purchasing a new £1000 suit and then wedging it into a crowded wardrobe on a cheap plastic hanger. Hopefully you wouldn’t do that, but folk do!……it can be like that with albums.
Don’t overload your space
Decide the location(s) and amount of physical space you wish to devote to storing your vinyl collection. Estimate the number of albums which can be stored and then reduce this number be 30%. Limit the maximum potential of your album collection to this reduced number. This is likely to breathe life into your collection and increase your enjoyment. To maintain this, album numbers or space sometimes has to change. Album culling can be tough but it can often make real sense.
Secondary storage in a spare room may seem attractive, but revisit your collection strategy. It is impossible to own every vinyl you may like. Be selective.
Note; Albums should always be stored upright – a pile of albums may look bohemian, but the lower albums can be damaged!
Some uniformity
Many second hand album covers and inner sleeves can look a little tired with scuffed edges.
This collector has a uniform approach to all his albums both second hand and new.
- All albums are stored in a consistent new stiff plastic protector (suitable for single or double albums). Any shrink-wrap or other album cover protector has been removed.
- The album and any inserts are removed from the cover. The original album inner sleeve is discarded and the album placed in a consistent new white sleeve. This is placed behind the album cover inside the new plastic protector. Any original inserts are placed inbetween the rear of the album cover and sleeved album.
All rather anal and over the top perhaps, however the net result is particularly pleasing when acquiring a batch of second hand albums. Once cleaned and then given the above treatment, the albums look refreshed and a perfect compliment the existing collection.
Cataloguing
This is not for everyone, but if your collection is over several hundred, you should have some sort of system.
The simplest is often to have a shelf running order by artist in alphabetical order with their albums stored chronologically.
The use of an excel spread sheet may seem like pleasure spoiler, but it is to be encouraged. By listing artist, month/year of release, album name as a minimum for the running order of your collection you will have added personal value to your collection.
A copy on your smartphone will guard against duplicate purchases and also help you maintain discipline to your album library. There, the word library has been used!