HI Sam,
Thanks Sam. I have some thoughts on this.
I checked out the link to soundstagedirect.com. I'm impressed with number of records that are availble. Clearly there has been a big change in the year and a half since I last did a reissue and new records search. It's really good to see. I haven't had time to go through all the listings but I will do it.
Man, it is expensive to put together a collection today. I used to think that CD's were expensive but reissues and new releases exceed them. There is no doubt in my mind that used records are still the way to go assuming they can be had in good condition. Often, they can.
In the old days a person could buy based upon an interesting looking cover on spec. If it's not liked, you would be out maybe $3.99. No big deal. Largely, this is still true with used records. This is a great way to find new music and artists but also a way to accumulate a lot of records that are never played. But in the world of new and reissued vinyl, buying on spec represents a real gamble and is a semi big deal. Generally, I won't do it. I would limit my purchases to artists I know and like and probably to records I have heard before and identified as a want.
On soundstagedirect most of the records I have seen so far, I know nothing about. Many of the artists I know nothing about. True, this may mark me as not knowledgable about jazz and to some extent this is true. A real expert may find many treasures there that I would pass by because of my ignorance. But my ignorance is still a fact that will impact my purchases.
Additionally, soundstagedirect.com, I think, does a poor job of describing their records. For the big names and their famous records this is not a problem because most of the important details are well known. But, for example, what instrument does Ornette Coleman play (yes, I do know, in this case)? Who is in the band? IS there a band? Who is the recording engineer? What was the venue? The list goes on. These are things one could find on the record jacket. But, their descriptions offer no help. This makes buying on spec especially questionable.
Except for a few items I have seen on their site and know, so far, I'll stick to used records. The new and reissue records, while not hugely expensive, are still more than I would gamble on.
But that's just my choice. I realize that others are willing to spend the big bucks on the records they want or think they want. Good, keep the wheel turning.
Sparky
