Rare Vinyl Spotlight: Nirvana Love Buzz 7" Sub Pop Records

Love Buzz b/w Big Cheese - Sub Pop SP23, released November 1988

Nirvana's legendary first 7" Vinyl single. Only 1000 hand-numbered copies, 200 additional copies with red marker across the number space on the sleeve were released. All 7" singles are on transparent black vinyl. The value fluctuates on this record. Even if you catch it in a downswing, however, it will cost you some serious cake ($1400-$2500). Checkout this comprehensive list of some lucky owners, I don't got it like that. So for now, I will just think maybe someday...

That kind of money brings MANY bootlegs, which aren't too difficult to spot once you know what to look for. Remarkably, the bootlegs also sell for a considerable amount of money...at one point fakes were going for over $300.

Here are some keys to recognizing a genuine copy:

• The names Alice Wheeler and Susan Sasic on the back of the sleeve are legible. 
• The side A dead wax reads: Why don't you trade those guitars for shovels? L-31540 SP-23-A kdisc;
• side B dead wax reads: L-31540X SP-23-B kdisc.

Rare LP's: The 50 most expensive vinyl records!

This Velvet Underground Acetate recently sold  for over $25K

Well, its something we hear often... "How much are my vinyl records worth?" Honestly, they're only worth what someone's willing to pay for them. Which usually isn't that much, but we found some that would make most spouses hide their credit cards..

Click here for The 50 Most expensive vinyl records!

This is a list that is compiled by a UK website called Popsike.com. Popsike collects information and compiles a database from thousands of past auctions on vinyl records of all forms 12", 10" and 7". these are the top 50 most expensive vinyl records in thier database, so if you have any LP's on this list, I'd say you're in good shape. This is can be a great tool and fun, enjoy!

Vinyl Record Collecting: The Outer Sleeve

As an avid collector of many things I know condition is important, but this is especially true in the case of Record collecting. The grading of condition is crucial to the value and overall desirability of all LP's and singles.

There are many things to consider when it comes to vinyl record collecting. So rather than trying to tackle it all, I will break it up into sections and post them through the coming months. In this section I will be concentrating on the outer sleeve. There are too numerous outer sleeves involved to cover them all, but most fall under one of these categories.

• Paper sleeves
• 1 pc pocket sleeves
• 2 pc pocket sleeves
• Gatefold sleeves

Some things to consider when grading record covers and sleeves. Regardless of age, a mint cover from the 50's should appear equally mint as a LP cover from the 90s. Wear and tear will diminish the value of your vinyl records in general, so protect them by using plastic outer sleeves. This will prevent ring wear and the accumulation of dust, that may scratch your vinyl. Store your records vertically in a cool dry place off the ground, this will prevent any water damage and bowing of sleeves. Heat will also deteriorate the glue used on most vinyl record sleeves from the 80's up, this will usually result in partial or full separation. Another issue I have come across is the dreaded cover warp, this is usually the result of shrink wrap and heat. So some collectors remove all shrink wrap as soon as possible, others feel if stored well the shrink wrap helps protect the actual sleeve even more.

Limited Showcase: Pet Shop Boys Vinyl Box Set by Farrow

I’m a sucker for a bad ass box set especially when its only on vinyl record form. Creative Review comes through with what is arguably the box set of year to date from the Pet Shop Boys. “A collaboration between Farrow and the Pet Shop Boys, and produced by The Vinyl Factory, this version of the album sees its eleven tracks split over eleven separate super-heavyweight 200-gram vinyl records with exclusive b-side instrumentals, each in a coloured sleeve, all housed in a smoked, handmade Perspex case.” 200gram vinyl is about as good as it gets and is usually reserved for the jazz reissues. We’re sure it plays a role in the 490$US price point. Limited to 300 sets. Oh boy!







via Selectisim