Just for fun, let’s look into the burgeoning revival of vinyl records and vintage stereo equipment.
For the first time in two decades, vinyl records outsold compact discs and trailed only digital downloads as the medium of choice for audiophiles. In a strange quirk fueled by the retro vibe provided by the vinyl explosion, cassette tapes rebounded and finished almost ahead of CD sales! Thankfully, 8-track tapes stayed in the closeout bins of our mind.
Let’s look at why vinyl made a huge resurgence.
All things old are new again
Just like movie remakes, reprints of ‘80s band t-shirts that today’s reality stars wear, and Crystal Pepsi, vinyl albums click the box for nostalgia. They are a relic that works and is actually more pleasing to the human ear than the cold digital of CDs.
While definitely hot, vinyl records are not for everyone. They do sound better, but that sound is at a cost. The grooves wear down, fill with dust and dirt, and are susceptible to scratches. The pops and scratches are audible and can be off-putting. You need a turntable to hear your vintage vinyl. Yet all these drawbacks are welcomed by the vinyl connoisseur as part and parcel of the experience.
Who’s Driving this Revival?
The hipster element can’t be overlooked in the resurgence of vinyl records. The ‘70s and ‘80s bands have been championed by the current style-makers. Most of the music of that era was recorded on vinyl, and these albums are sought after for the collectability and cool factor. The aficionado must have the authenticity of the original medium of the artist to really hear what they intended.
Why Vinyl Now?
As the baby boomer generation is downsizing, there are literally thousands of albums in garages, basements, thrift stores, and in granny’s living room that can be gleaned and brought back to life. Also, the movement back to vinyl was started by the self-proclaimed cognoscenti and led to the major record labels reissuing the most popular artists on vinyl. New artists want to take advantage of the vinyl wave and are often making their music available on deluxe pressings with original covers and liner notes.
The nostalgia of the album cover in all its glory with the inner sleeve liner notes, the picture inserts, the tactile nature of the record itself, the warm overall tonality, the collectability, the exclusivity have all led to a rebirth of vinyl.
Where Can You Get Vintage Vinyl?
Albert’s Pawn in Bristol has a great selection of vintage vinyl for sale. All four of Albert’s Pawn stores accept vinyl records for pawn. Whether you have a whole collection or a few choice pieces, we are happy to evaluate your records and give you a competitive offer. For large collections, we can come to you! Checked for condition, cleaned, and put in protective sleeves, our records will give you hours of enjoyment.
Stop by Albert’s in Bristol to find the perfect vinyl record for you!
Albert’s has been family owned and operated since 1927. No matter what part of the Tri-Cities you’re in we have a location to serve you. With four Albert’s Pawn locations (Downtown Johnson City, North Johnson City, Bristol, and Kingsport), getting top dollar for your items for pawn loans and finding that item you’ve been looking for at an unbeatable price has never been easier. Stop by and see why Albert’s Pawn is the premier pawnshop in the area.
