Why Vinyl Records Are So Expensive
So world record store day is here once again.
Why vinyl records are so expensive. For one it is because americans have gotten used to cheap music. And i think they were only pressed at 120. They would operate 24 hours a day if vinyl press operators a dying breed until just recently weren t so hard to find. A non mainstream release is hardly pressed in 1 000 copies these days more like 300.
I suspect that vinyl is so expensive because they are being marketed as a premium product to older record buyers ie people in their mid thirties and older with good disposable incomes who are. Production costs have gone up because vinyl releases in general are pressed in smaller quantities. I aged carried on listening to tunes i grew up. Not to mention overpriced.
But vinyl records are expensive and can take many weeks to produce. That had got records to the best sound they ever had. There are many valuable vinyl records out there including perhaps the most expensive motown northern soul 7 inch ever do i love you indeed i do recorded by frank wilson in 1965 and which sold for over 25 000 31 000 at auction in 2009. I try to make 10 on new stuff says trevor larocque co owner of the tiny record shop a vinyl only store specializing in rare vintage records that also stocks the latest.
I think that there are a couple of reasons why vinyl is so expensive today. It was wilson s only single and the majority of demo copies were destroyed which is why it s so collectible. A part from very occasional second hand purchases i didn t buy vinyl between the years 1990 2014. Vinyl records have become a fan favorite as well as a significant income stream for many artists.
It might not seem like much but in the 30 s a dollar was a lot of money. 4 years of struggling with vinyl has left a bad taste in my mouth. So every 4th or 5th record i buy is poorly pressed or cut too hot. So if it costs me 19.
For instance 78s in the 30 s sold for a dollar. But if plans hold they ll add two to six more presses starting at the.