Rituals and Rules!
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 9:38 pm
Saw this on a forum earlier...... :)
The definitive RULES OF VINYL
Ok ok, people have been collecting vinyl records (see rule 10 annex1) for decades – but what are the true ‘rules’ of collecting vinyl records?
In an attempt to build up a baseline of rules for experienced and novice collectors alike, this list will form THE RULES OF VINYL.
Some of these overlap* with other popular ‘rules’ lists – as the art form (as a way of life) of loving vinyl records is not equivalent to, but has synergies with other grown up activities.
This is very much a work in progress, so please submit your own using the contact form below!
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Rule #1:
The rules cannot be broken.
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Rule #2:
Don’t rush other buyers
When sifting, and you see another in a bin you’re interested in – you must wait patiently far enough away so not to rush the current sifter, but close enough to warn 3rd party sifters you’re next in the queue.
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Rule #2a:
Sifters Territory
Don't encroach or sift a sifters pile, they're taken. Any that are left in the bin are fair game.
Thanks to David Carbines for this rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #3:
Lower the needle softly.
Under no circumstances should you ‘slam’ the needle down on the record - similar to the cheap automatic arm turntables. Either lower it manually, or invest in a ‘proper’ turntable that lowers it onto the record with the grace and light of touch your records deserve.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #4:
Turning Over the Record
Turning a record over is part of the process, part of the fun and part of the art of loving records. It is also an opportunity to show any onlookers that you know your onions, and have the skills to prove it. Turning a record over should be done in one movement, holding the record with both index fingers (or middle fingers if appropriate) and using a circular movement, or push slightly with the thumbs, spin the record to the opposite side – if done correctly, the record will stop immaculately and accurately, to the nearest 1,000 of a mm in a horizontal position – ready to be placed on the turntable.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #5:
Holding a Record
The correct way to hold a record is with the thumb and fore/index fingers. Place the thumb at a 90 degree angle against the outer dead wax and the fore/index fingers on the run out groove or label. Under no circumstances should you touch the wax that holds the music.
Many thanks to @OxfamVinyl for providing us with a pictorial representation of this rule:
holding a vinyl record
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #6:
Order Of Process
The correct order of process should be as follows:
1. Choose record
2. Set turntable to appropriate speed (33 / 45 rpm etc.)
3. Unpack record, place on turntable
4. Clean needle
5. Clean (for dust) record
6. Drop/Lower GENTLY needle
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #7:
Sorting Your Records
Records do not need to, nor should they be in alphabetical order, but rather in an order only you, as the owner know the logic behind it.
- Thanks to Olli for this submission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #8:
Just LOVE THEM!
It's simple. Love the records, love the format and embrace the process - whatever your process is. If you don't, you might as well listen to MP3s.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #9:
1st Play Attention
The 1st play of a newly acquired record should be a ceremonious event. Computers, phones, tv's, hoovers, washing machines, children and family should be made silent. Sit comfortably in front of your speakers, not reading a book or chatting, and look directly towards the music and listen with full concentration for maximum pleasure. Subsequent listening sessions can permit a relaxation of all distractions except hoovering.
Thanks to Chris Flynn for the rule!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #10
They are called RECORDS, not VINYL!
Unless teaching the uninitiated, speaking in an open forum (i.e. social media) or referring to flooring - the word vinyl should never be used in isolation.
Acceptable: "Came across this record today, had to be bought!"
Unacceptable: "Came across this vinyl record today, had to be bought!"
Please refer to rule 12 for further ruling on this topic.
Annex1. Top Button Records reserves the right to use the word 'vinyl' as a means to promote the business to a wider audience (i.e. the uninitiated) and for SEO purposes.
Cheers to Mark Tully for this rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #11
NEVER loan out your records.
Donate, give or recieve records - but never lend or be lent a record. It's not yours, get your own.
Thanks to Graham Houghton for this rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #12
The plural of vinyl is vinyl!
Never use the word 'vinyls' to describe more than one record. You'll sound like a flooring company wholesalesman. Please refer to rule 10 for a further ruling on this topic.
Cheers to Chris Holleran for this rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #13
Record Protection.
To protect the record & prevent scuffing or marking always replace stiff factory inner sleeves with good quality liners. Keep the liner inside the cover for future reference when reading the credits/notes/lyrics etc
Cheers to Danny Raid for this rule.
PS. Don't leave them in hot cars either!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #14
Record Protection.
Don't go buying records after doing a night shift (or drunk late at night), it's hard work trying to stay up waiting for a record store to open, especially when all you should be doing is going home to bed. thats just a experience I had in Covent Garden, Rough Trade few years back
Another one from Danny Raid - from personal experience
The definitive RULES OF VINYL
Ok ok, people have been collecting vinyl records (see rule 10 annex1) for decades – but what are the true ‘rules’ of collecting vinyl records?
In an attempt to build up a baseline of rules for experienced and novice collectors alike, this list will form THE RULES OF VINYL.
Some of these overlap* with other popular ‘rules’ lists – as the art form (as a way of life) of loving vinyl records is not equivalent to, but has synergies with other grown up activities.
This is very much a work in progress, so please submit your own using the contact form below!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #1:
The rules cannot be broken.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #2:
Don’t rush other buyers
When sifting, and you see another in a bin you’re interested in – you must wait patiently far enough away so not to rush the current sifter, but close enough to warn 3rd party sifters you’re next in the queue.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #2a:
Sifters Territory
Don't encroach or sift a sifters pile, they're taken. Any that are left in the bin are fair game.
Thanks to David Carbines for this rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #3:
Lower the needle softly.
Under no circumstances should you ‘slam’ the needle down on the record - similar to the cheap automatic arm turntables. Either lower it manually, or invest in a ‘proper’ turntable that lowers it onto the record with the grace and light of touch your records deserve.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #4:
Turning Over the Record
Turning a record over is part of the process, part of the fun and part of the art of loving records. It is also an opportunity to show any onlookers that you know your onions, and have the skills to prove it. Turning a record over should be done in one movement, holding the record with both index fingers (or middle fingers if appropriate) and using a circular movement, or push slightly with the thumbs, spin the record to the opposite side – if done correctly, the record will stop immaculately and accurately, to the nearest 1,000 of a mm in a horizontal position – ready to be placed on the turntable.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #5:
Holding a Record
The correct way to hold a record is with the thumb and fore/index fingers. Place the thumb at a 90 degree angle against the outer dead wax and the fore/index fingers on the run out groove or label. Under no circumstances should you touch the wax that holds the music.
Many thanks to @OxfamVinyl for providing us with a pictorial representation of this rule:
holding a vinyl record
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #6:
Order Of Process
The correct order of process should be as follows:
1. Choose record
2. Set turntable to appropriate speed (33 / 45 rpm etc.)
3. Unpack record, place on turntable
4. Clean needle
5. Clean (for dust) record
6. Drop/Lower GENTLY needle
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #7:
Sorting Your Records
Records do not need to, nor should they be in alphabetical order, but rather in an order only you, as the owner know the logic behind it.
- Thanks to Olli for this submission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #8:
Just LOVE THEM!
It's simple. Love the records, love the format and embrace the process - whatever your process is. If you don't, you might as well listen to MP3s.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #9:
1st Play Attention
The 1st play of a newly acquired record should be a ceremonious event. Computers, phones, tv's, hoovers, washing machines, children and family should be made silent. Sit comfortably in front of your speakers, not reading a book or chatting, and look directly towards the music and listen with full concentration for maximum pleasure. Subsequent listening sessions can permit a relaxation of all distractions except hoovering.
Thanks to Chris Flynn for the rule!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #10
They are called RECORDS, not VINYL!
Unless teaching the uninitiated, speaking in an open forum (i.e. social media) or referring to flooring - the word vinyl should never be used in isolation.
Acceptable: "Came across this record today, had to be bought!"
Unacceptable: "Came across this vinyl record today, had to be bought!"
Please refer to rule 12 for further ruling on this topic.
Annex1. Top Button Records reserves the right to use the word 'vinyl' as a means to promote the business to a wider audience (i.e. the uninitiated) and for SEO purposes.
Cheers to Mark Tully for this rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #11
NEVER loan out your records.
Donate, give or recieve records - but never lend or be lent a record. It's not yours, get your own.
Thanks to Graham Houghton for this rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #12
The plural of vinyl is vinyl!
Never use the word 'vinyls' to describe more than one record. You'll sound like a flooring company wholesalesman. Please refer to rule 10 for a further ruling on this topic.
Cheers to Chris Holleran for this rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #13
Record Protection.
To protect the record & prevent scuffing or marking always replace stiff factory inner sleeves with good quality liners. Keep the liner inside the cover for future reference when reading the credits/notes/lyrics etc
Cheers to Danny Raid for this rule.
PS. Don't leave them in hot cars either!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule #14
Record Protection.
Don't go buying records after doing a night shift (or drunk late at night), it's hard work trying to stay up waiting for a record store to open, especially when all you should be doing is going home to bed. thats just a experience I had in Covent Garden, Rough Trade few years back
Another one from Danny Raid - from personal experience