Vinyl Me Please (store, exclusives, swaps, etc)

[Ericj32]

Do check out the Tower. There are few places in modern capital cities where such well preserved millennia old buildings still exist and it is special. From there walk over Tower Bridge to the south side and walk westward along the river past City Hall, take in the vast size of HMS Belfast moored on the river, then the Golden Hinde that's dry docked by Southwark Cathedral and straight into Borough Market where you'll find some of the best food in the city, both produce and ready to eat. Continue along the Southbank where there's often great buskers (I first heard Portico Quartet there when they were just Portico playing for pennies), a cool young and arty vibe exists down there, from skateboarding gangs and graffiti littered tunnels to the Tate Modern which is itself a stunning modern architectural treat even if you don't like the art within. Do remember though, all London Museums are free to enter (you only pay entry to special exhibitions) so even if you stay 10 minutes and figure it's not for you, you've lost nothing other than those 10 minutes and you may just find yourself breathtaken by a Picasso, a Kandinsky or a Rothko.

We might need a London appreciation thread. I haven't been to London in 9 years but I remember thinking Spitalfields was a cool neighborhood to walk around and explore - lots of markets and food.

Yeah, Borough Market is wonderful. I would cross the river on that cool footbridge from the Tate Modern to St. Paul's Cathedral, too! Such a beautiful, truly iconic, building, and it's fun to climb to the top of the dome.

It's also really cool to check out any used bookstores in London. I was blown away at how easy/inexpensive it is to pick up little pocket-sized, century-old hardcover versions of classic novels. Great for souvenirs, or gifts for others!

Also you have to go dancing at night! British people are so fun to drink and dance with, and - I say this with love - they are so excited to dance with anyone who's not British, and they treat you like you are the greatest dancer in the world with all the best dance moves. It's the only place in the world where someone has told me, without a trace of irony, that I was "killing it" on the dance floor hahaha. To be fair (and to stereotype), part of this probably has to do with how much they drink, but it's always a good time. [If you go dancing though, go anywhere but Zoo Bar in Covent Garden, as the bouncers are just insanely aggressive and rude - I'd say more, but this post is already long enough.]

But if I can be really real for a second, no trip to London is complete without a visit to a Marks and Spencer's M&S grocery store and some Phizzy Pig Tails. HOLY BUCKETS! Your tastebuds will dance, and you will never be the same. I knew I had a problem when a friend and her parents were taking their first ever trip to London and they felt the need to e-mail me shortly after they arrived to reassure me that, before doing anything else in the city, they'd picked up 8 bags to bring back in their luggage for me.



I'm excited for you, Nathan! You will have so much fun!

 

[brownsugah]

I am feeling Bandana more than Piñata tbh (off first listen). I was contemplating getting the bundle when it was first available, but at that point I hadn’t listened to Bandana in order to decide.

 

[Clint Howard]

I am feeling Bandana more than Piñata tbh (off first listen). I was contemplating getting the bundle when it was first available, but at that point I hadn’t listened to Bandana in order to decide.

I said it in the other hip-hop thread but the best of them all was the Alex Goose remix of Pinata.

 

[Expensive Headache]

Honest VMP-related question: do vinyl warps decrease the grading value to you super collectors even if the sound is not overtly affected?

 

[Joe Mac]

Honest VMP-related question: do vinyl warps decrease the grading value to you super collectors even if the sound is not overtly affected?

Yes they aren’t good for your stylus, arguably aren’t good for your tonearm bearing and the needle running over the record like that causes uneven wear which over time degrades the sound.

 

[Renée]

Honest VMP-related question: do vinyl warps decrease the grading value to you super collectors even if the sound is not overtly affected?

If the warp is minor and does not affect the sound at all, then I don't count it in grading or value

 

[Expensive Headache]

Yes they aren’t good for your stylus, arguable aren’t good for your tonearm bearing and the needle running over the record like that causes uneven wear which over time degrades the sound.

If the warp is minor and does not affect the sound at all, then I don't count it in grading or value

I sold my Koko Taylor and the buyer insisted it was ‘1000% dish warped’ even though it played w/o issue. I assumed some variance was unavoidable (especially with VMP realeases I own) but he felt it was a total loss, apparently.

 

[Joe Mac]

I sold my Koko Taylor and the buyer insisted it was ‘1000% dish warped’ even though it played w/o issue. I assumed some variance was unavoidable (especially with VMP realeases I own) but he felt it was a total loss, apparently.

I depends on the level. If it’s a very small bump or dish no, if it’s a prominent edge or dish I’d 100% be complaining unless it has been pointed out and the record graded accordingly.

 

[Selaws]

Honest VMP-related question: do vinyl warps decrease the grading value to you super collectors even if the sound is not overtly affected?

Im in the same sort of mindset as @Joe Mac here. It might sound fussy but the additional pressure on the needle will cause issues over time and will certainly reduce its 'lifespan'

 

[Expensive Headache]

Reaching out and communicating is usually a good next step. He went right to negative feedback. I wanted to tell him “That’s VMP, baby!”

 

[Expensive Headache]

Im in the same sort of mindset as @Joe Mac here. It might sound fussy but the additional pressure on the needle will cause issues over time and will certainly reduce its 'lifespan'

I get that. I guess I'm a realist after years of Dischord releases with weird manufacturing issues.

 

[Joe Mac]

“That’s VMP, baby!”

They don’t deserve me being fair to them BUT up until very recently they were good at replacements. I’d complain with warps and they’d keep trying until I got a flat one...

 

[Expensive Headache]

They don’t deserve me being fair to them BUT up until very recently I they were good at replacements. I’d complain with warps and they’d keep trying until I got a flat one...

If I’d requested replacements on every warp, their profit margin would be single digits.

 

[Joe Mac]

If I’d requested replacements on every warp, their profit margin would be single digits.

And deservedly so, they don’t undercharge for their product...

 

[Colonel_Angus]

Honest VMP-related question: do vinyl warps decrease the grading value to you super collectors even if the sound is not overtly affected?

Any type of warp / pressing defect affects the grading regardless of the buyer.

 

[Expensive Headache]

Any type of warp / pressing defect affects the grading regardless of the buyer.

By how much if play isn’t affected overtly? Down to VG+? Down to Good?

 

[dhodo]

By how much if play isn’t affected overtly? Down to VG+? Down to Good?

VG+ does actually mean that any defects DNAP. Any minor scuffs, hairline scratches. I guess a minor warp would probably apply. No record is literally perfectly flat, so you do have to draw a line somewhere. VG+ is basically a perfect record for all but perfectionists. NM means mint but open. Frustrating how few people who sell records online seem to get this.

I'm not assuming that you don't already know this, I just thought I'd say it in case anyone doesn't.

 

[Joe Mac]

By how much if play isn’t affected overtly? Down to VG+? Down to Good?

If it’s a minor warp and it sounds ok VG/VG+, If it’s a major warp it’s irrelevant how it sounds you’re down to a G tops.

 

[dhodo]

If it’s a minor warp and it sounds ok VG/VG+, If it’s a major warp it’s irrelevant how it sounds you’re down to a G tops.

I think for truly minor warps VG is a little extreme. Subjective other than the affecting play part.

Edit: I think goldmine says slight warps are ok for VG+ which is again subjective.

 

[Joe Mac]

I think for truly minor warps VG is a little extreme. Subjective other than the affecting play part.

Edit: I think goldmine says slight warps are ok for VG+ which is again subjective.

I think it depends, I tend to err on the side of caution and even within minor warps there are variances. For example I’d take a minor dish over a minor edge every day of the week. I get where you are coming from though!