The Difference Between Vintage Vinyl Records and Classic Vinyl

There’s not necessarily anything new about wanting things that are old. Even though it seems like there’s a resurgence of this old-meets-new popularity, it’s not exactly unfamiliar. But it’s often this familiarity that makes things of age feel really special. Maybe it’s nostalgia, or maybe it’s sustainability, there is an increasing desire to enjoy things that are vintage and classic. And music and the way we listen to it are no different.

One of the most popular ways for music lovers to enjoy their favortie artists is on the vinyl record. Even with all the immense access currently to music through streaming, there is something very personal and special about collecting records. Owning your favorite album on vinyl solidifies a fanship that means more than just a push of a button on your phone.   

So what makes vintage vinyl records vintage?

Now we of course think there’s something pretty amazing about having a collection of brand new vinyl records from current artists and from music legends. But there are more and more people who have made a hobby out of collecting vintage vinyl records inherited from family members or found at local thrift shops, second-hand stores, or estate sales. 

Giving the label vintage to anything can be fairly subjective. The word vintage means "of age" so the description encompasses a pretty wide range. For antique collectors, the label vintage commonly refers to something around 40-50 years of age. Vinyl records first circulated around the 1950s, but they really became popular in the late 1970s which means vintage vinyl records can really be anything pressed before the 1980s. In this case, then, there is a lot of vintage vinyl out there. 

So what is classic vinyl then?

Classic vinyl is different then vintage vinyl. Well, classic can be different then vintage. Classic is more of a genre term than an age term. Yet still, classic vinyl can still be more of a all catch all term for older records of differing genres. Like the word vintage, what constitutes an artist, album, or record as classic can be a bit more subjective. 

Let’s put it this way: vintage vinyl records are those that the physical pressing copy of the album is original. To put it even more plainly–it’s old. Classic vinyl can be referring to actual older records; however, it could just mean that the artist and the albums are aged, but not necessarily the copy itself. The pressing of the album might be brand new, but the music is old. Check out these recommendations for classic vinyl to give you some great examples. 

So why collect vintage records over new ones? 

The main reason some people enjoy listening to vintage vinyl is the quality of the south of those original records. And for others, they appreciate the artwork on the album. Others are motivated by the nostalgia that comes from experiencing the same music by listening to it the same way as people decades before. Vinyl records give a sense that the music really has been passed down from generation to generation. 

Some people like collecting vintage vinyl records for their worth. Now, if you own any vintage vinyl records, it doesn’t mean you certainly have a valuable vinyl record. Some old records are worth some money, but it’s not just because of how old it is. A record’s value is based on many reasons including its condition, how rare the pressing is, or just because of the artist who it’s by. You can read more about a vinyl records value if you want to know more. 

Some of the rarest vinyl records are ones by some of the most prolific artists from varying times in their careers. Often albums released by an artist before they hit it big probably have a whole lot more value than those records from later in their careers. Other factors that might make a record really worth a lot could be an artist signature, a rare LP that has uncommon cover art, or an album that was pressed with limited copies. 

So as you might notice, it’s difficult to nail down just exactly what vintage vinyl records and classic vinyl records are. And it’s even more difficult to determine what makes either of them valuable. If you do have a record collection that you’re curious what they are worth, you can simply do a quick search to look up what they are going for online. Just remeber that high-priced albums are those that are in near perfect mint condition. But, that’s why it’s super important to know how to clean vinyl records properly. 

The hunt for vintage vinyl records can be a fun hobby because you don’t know if you might find that hidden gem for sale at your local thrift store or even buried in your parents garage! But if you haven’t found a vintage vinyl of one of your favorite albums, The Magnolia Store has a great collection of classic vinyl records such classic country, classic rock, and even classic soul.  

And if you really want to grow your record collection, you can get new music delivered to your doorstep every month with our vinyl subscription. You can join the vinyl record of the month club today!