Vinyl records are making a big comeback. Now, with the availability of music being easier than ever before in history, music-lovers are turning to quality as the main quality they are searching for. And when it comes to quality, you can’t beat vinyl. Vinyl records have a higher quality sound than digital, tapes, CDs, and every other type of recording object. It’s funny that such an old technology has maintained its place at the top of the heap when it comes to quality.
When people ask if vinyl records are valuable, it is usually a question of whether or not they are collectible. And in that case, the answer is yes, and vinyl records are valuable. While most individual vinyl records come in around $30, there are plenty of other records that are more expensive.
New and Old Vinyl
The thing to understand about vinyl records is that they are not just for your Dad or grandad anymore. There are plenty of new and young artists who are printing their albums on vinyl. Why? Well, there are several reasons. The first, as mentioned, has to do with the quality of the sound. While some listeners care about the quality of the sound, it is safe to say that no one cares more than the actual recording artist him or herself.
Second, there is a built-in market for consumers who still love and buy vinyl. Printing music on vinyl records and distributing it that way is still a big financial opportunity for some musicians.
And third, vinyl records offer something physical. If you want to buy someone music as a gift or on holiday, there is something special about giving physical vinyl records, especially if it includes interesting cover art and or is rare or a limited release.
If you have mostly new vinyl, the value is mostly in the collection aspect. You may not have many (or any) vinyl records that are individually valuable—but, as a whole, your vinyl album collection may be very valuable indeed.
Vinyl Album Worth
In terms of older vinyl records, there are indeed some records that are worth thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars. The Beatles White Album can be incredibly valuable, depending on the serial number ranging anywhere from just a few bucks to about 15k. There are other albums in the same price range.
The albums that are worth thousands or tens-of-thousands of dollars are very rare, though, and it should be remembered that while vinyl records can be fun to collect, the primary purpose of vinyl is to listen. If you buy vinyl records as some sort of investment strategy or strictly to make money than you are buying them for all the wrong reasons, there is nothing wrong with making money from selling your vinyl, but it shouldn’t be your primary or even your secondary, motivate.
In short, yes, vinyl is valuable. But more than just its financial value, vinyl also offers a nostalgic and high-quality way for people to enjoy music that is far deeper and more satisfying than digital. When, if ever, was the last time you sat down and listened to a full album from the first to the last song? There are concept albums, for example, that beg you to do this and, if you do it, can provide an awesome experience. But the practice rarely occurs with digital music. There is something about digital music that just begs you to skip to the next song and the next song and the next. Vinyl records, on the other hand, come complete with a sense of relaxation and completeness.
