There’s something undeniably satisfying about dropping the needle on a record and hearing your favourite album come to life – warm, full of texture, and just a little bit crackly. But if you’ve ever thought about starting a vinyl collection and immediately felt overwhelmed by gatekeeping, expensive gear, or “must-have” lists filled with obscure jazz fusion records from 1972… you’re not alone.
The good news is, you don’t need to know everything about pressing numbers or shell out a fortune to get started. You just need curiosity, a love for music, and a little help cutting through the noise.
Here’s your no-nonsense guide to starting a vinyl collection you’ll actually enjoy.
1. Start with What You Actually Love
This might sound obvious, but it’s the most important part: collect the music you already love. Forget trying to build a shelf of “cool” records to impress visitors. A record collection isn’t a museum – it’s more like a diary. Start with the albums you already know you’ll reach for on a Sunday afternoon or when friends come over.
Think about records that mean something to you. The ones that remind you of your teenage bedroom. The ones you discovered on a long drive. The ones you’ve streamed to death and would love to hear through speakers, in a way that makes you listen differently.
If you love Fleetwood Mac, The Streets, or Charli XCX, buy those. There are no guilty pleasures in vinyl collecting – just great records you actually want to play.
2. Don’t Stress About First Pressings or What’s “Valuable”
Let’s get this out of the way: you do not need an original mono pressing of Sgt. Pepper’s to be a vinyl collector.
There’s a myth that collecting records is only for people who obsess over matrix numbers or spend hours on Discogs comparing labels. And sure – some people love that side of it. But if that’s not your vibe, you can ignore it completely.
Reissues are brilliant. Coloured vinyl is fun. Remastered editions often sound amazing. And if you’re buying new music? Support your favourite artists by getting the version they just released – it’ll often come with extras like inserts or lyric sheets too.
This is about your collection, not some imaginary collector’s approval.
3. Buy Second-Hand… but Skip the Musty Charity Shop Stack
There’s a romance to crate-digging, and it’s real. Finding a gem tucked between a thousand copies of James Last’s greatest hits is a genuine thrill. But if you’re just getting started, don’t feel like you have to spend every weekend elbows-deep in a dusty crate of mystery vinyl.
Instead, start with a record shop that’s already done some of the hard work for you. At 12 Bar (shameless plug), we only put out pre-loved records that are clean, playable, and worth your time – whether that’s a 1980s Bowie reissue or a forgotten funk classic. And if you tell us what you like, we’ll help you find something you didn’t even know you were looking for.
4. You Only Need a Few Things to Get Going
There’s a lot of talk about gear in the vinyl world – some of it helpful, some of it just noise. Here’s what you actually need to start enjoying records:
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A turntable (you can get a great one for under £150 if you shop smart).
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An amp and speakers (or powered speakers if you want to keep it simple).
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A brush to clean dust off your records.
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Maybe a little stand or crate to store them neatly.
You don’t need to go full hi-fi nerd unless you want to. Just make sure your setup doesn’t chew up your records (avoid those ultra-cheap suitcase-style players if you can) and you’re good to go.
If you’re unsure where to begin, pop into the shop and we’ll talk you through it – no jargon, no upselling.
5. Build It Slowly – That’s the Joy of It
One of the best parts of collecting records is not having everything at once. You don’t need 100 records to have a collection. You need five that you can’t wait to put on.
Buy a few at a time. Listen to them. Get to know them. Then come back for more. The process of adding to your shelves gradually – picking up an album on payday, finding something unexpected while travelling, getting a birthday gift you didn’t expect – is what makes it meaningful.
Plus, when you play your records often, you’ll start to figure out what you actually love on vinyl. Some things sound better on record. Some don’t. That’s part of the fun.
6. Ask Questions. That’s What We’re Here For
Don’t know which version of an album to buy? Wondering if something is worth the hype? Curious about a genre you’ve never explored?
Ask your local record shop.
We love helping people discover music. If you tell us what you’re into, we’ll help you find something new to love – or give you the lowdown on whether a reissue is actually any good.
You don’t have to go it alone. Record shops are part of the joy of collecting – the stories, the recommendations, the chats at the counter. Come in for the records, stay for the conversation.
Final Thoughts
Starting a record collection isn’t about being an expert or owning a wall of rare vinyl. It’s about reconnecting with music in a way that feels tactile, intentional, and joyful.
So if you’re thinking about getting into vinyl, take the pressure off. You don’t need to know everything. You just need to start.
Start with the albums you already love. Ask questions. Take your time. And above all – enjoy the music.
Ready to begin? Come visit us at 12 Bar Music & Social in Exeter, where we’ll help you build a record collection that you’ll actually want to listen to. No snobbery, no stress – just good records, great coffee, and even better conversations.
