As a result of all these shops and the general music lovin vibe that exists in Portlandia, there exists a public with a long history of vinyl collecting here....decades upon decades of deep crates.
These records eventually filter back through the shops in a variety of ways: you need drug money, rent, bail, diapers...dad died. When they get bought the store buyer usually pays half the price (or usually less) of what the record will be sold for. If you buy a copy of Ziggy Stardust for $8, generally the buyer paid $3-$4 to the seller. And that's if the buyer is being totally legit.
The key as a collector then, ideally, is to cut out the stores as the middle man and go straight to the source, the people. It ensures first pick and negotiable prices. And, in some cases there is an element of surprise to the picking because you never know what could be available. This is the adventure I have been on lately and I have had some great scores.
Here is my latest score, a collection of mostly 80's metal and hard rock. I got all of these from a guy named Jason who lives in Southeast. Real nice guy...a musician and DJ.
This was my crown jewel of the score...$7....My appreciation for Iron Maiden has developed steadily over the last few years. Steve Harris has become quite an inspiration, not only as bass player but as a songwriter. When I price records I use discogs.com for a general guideline. This one could easily go for $20 online (plus shipping and handling) or for about the same in a store. Its Near Mint and an original U.S. pressing.
This one is in pretty good shape too, though the cover has some wear. I don't see a lot of early 80's Maiden albums out there, I was quick to scoop this one up as well. $4.
This is one of my all time faves. I once let my teenage girlfriend go hungry becasue I used our lunch money to buy this cassette. Yeah. Pretty swell. This is a first pressing Canadian version, Near Mint. I paid $7. Once again this one could go $16-$20 in store. My delight in owning this record cannot be overstated. As cliched as it is to heap praise on this album, its impact upon me was deep.
I scored this copy of Purple Rain for $2...no big deal, but I loved this insert that came with the copy.
I'm not a huge DIO fan, but I recognize the importance of this record. $4, great shape and a chance to own a classic. As a bonus I was surprised at much I enjoyed the track "Caught In The Middle." The bridge and chorus especially.
I really love that Ronnie James Dio gets credit for "All Lyrics and Melodies." Impressive.
Now I was not planning on diving head first into some Randy Rhoads era Ozzy but thats what happened. I absolutely loved Tribute when I was a kid. A kid named Benji stole this tape from me when I was a freshman in high school and he always denied it, but I knew the truth. $5, 2xLP, vinyl is clean...cover has some wear on top. Despite that though, the album is in great shape...and when you add in my own sentimental attachement, you have a pretty sweet score. I basically bought this to hear Randy Rhoads say "Oops" on vinyl during the"Dee" outtake. I've always liked this cover a lot too. Randy looks so fucking awesome and free with the polka dot flying V...Ozzy couldn't be prouder to hoist up this guitar god to the sky. The look on Randy's face says it all.
This Blizzard if Ozz copy is a little chewy...especially the cover. But the Tribute score got me in the mood for more Randy Rhoads. I already have Diary of a Madman, so with Tribute and this I have the whole Randy Rhoads era Ozzy. Which is really as deep as I wanna get with solo Ozzy. Plus, I like Blizzard a lot more than Diary...$3 sold.
This is my favorite Hendrix album. My wife and I basically fell in love while this album played. Its a 1968 2nd edition...I paid $5. It skips twice. Damn. You can eyeball them all you want, but sometimes you miss a nick.
I dunno bout this one...haha...Stay Hungry is just one of those albums from 80's hard rock era. My son likes Twisted Sister, particularly this album. $3...gimme.
And finally, I scored a couple Queen albums. I'm going through a whole Queen thing right now anyway so this was perfect timing. This Greatest Hits is not in good shape. Seriously. But it plays fine. $2...I rolled the dice. So glad I did. The tracklist is pretty wonderful.
Sheer Heart Attack has one of my favorite Queen songs of all time, "Stone Cold Crazy." $3.
And the adventure continues.....
