Vinyl Lovers, Assemble!!!!

[Gxas]

Recently, vinyls have been making a comeback in the music world. I've begun gathering them from all the bands I love and so far, nothing terrible has happened.

Well, until today, that is.

I just got two 12" EPs in the mail. They are warped beyond belief. It looks like they overheated and then had a 50lb package tossed on top of them for six hours in the back of a truck. I'm looking for a safe way to fix the warp in them, because I don't believe I'll be able to get a refund for them. Can anyone help me out?

Please, no snark about "this is why you shouldn't buy vinyl". I personally can hear and prefer the difference in sound quality on vinyl, and my purchase of CDs just culminates in ripping the thing to my computer and throwing it in a corner to never be used again. My vinyls get used at least. Plus, it makes me feel better knowing that the bands are getting my money (not to mention that 75% of my purchases so far have come with digital downloads of the album as well).

EDIT: I'd also like to hear about everyone else's collections! I can't believe that I forgot to add that in. I'll share mine after a few responses.

 

[ProfessorLayton]

This might be horrible advice (I don't take care of my records because I like the cracking and skipping... not sure why) but what I do is stack my records on top of each other. If you do that, I would assume they would eventually flatten back out with out trying to bend them yourself. But like I said, I'm not one to give advice in this sort of thing because it's never happened to me. I've ordered several vinyl records online and they came in the mail just fine, though then again they weren't in the middle of summer.

My collection is enormous. My uncle gave me a player and a massive stack of records, including stuff from U2, Michael Jackson, the Eagles, and a lot more. My first record I ever bought with my own money was Radiohead's Pablo Honey and then soon after I bought Explosions in the Sky's The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place. The most expensive I've ever bought was Weezer's re-issue of Pinkerton for about $40, but it was worth every penny. The most recent was Tool's Opiate for like $8. Probably my favorite record is the BioShock soundtrack. I plan on buying Katy Perry's Teenage Dream, M.I.A.'s Kala, and every single Radiohead album (all I have so far is Pablo Honey and the King of Limbs). I've also been looking everywhere for Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and 808's & Heartbreak and I have yet to find them.

 

[Azure-Supernova]

Please, no snark about "this is why you shouldn't buy vinyl".

To be honest this is why I prefer to get vinyl. These days music is downloaded and deleted like it's nothing. Personally I love having my music on vinyl, it makes it feel like it's worth something and that it needs to be maintained and looked after.

EDIT: I'd also like to hear about everyone else's collections! I can't believe that I forgot to add that in. I'll share mine after a few responses.

Mostly oldies, a lot of The Platters, The Ink Spots, Frank Sinatra, Elvis, Marty Robbins, Billy Fury. But I've got some new stuff too, just can't think at the moment. I've inherited most of my collection, the rest of it is bought from charity shops for £1 or less. I like listening to music on my record player though, though my little cousin put a nice big scratch in my Asia - Heat of the Moment record the other week -_-

Also that really sucks about yours though. I asked my uncle about it and he told me that he used to flatten out warped record by pressing it between two pieces of wood, putting it in the oven for a couple minutes and then leaving a plant pot on top until it cooled down. Sounds absurd and I'm not advising it, it's just an amusing anecdote

 

[Gxas]

This might be horrible advice (I don't take care of my records because I like the cracking and skipping... not sure why) but what I do is stack my records on top of each other. If you do that, I would assume they would eventually flatten back out with out trying to bend them yourself. But like I said, I'm not one to give advice in this sort of thing because it's never happened to me. I've ordered several vinyl records online and they came in the mail just fine, though then again they weren't in the middle of summer.

Doing that now, but it doesn't seem to be doing much. Mostly because they're all in the cool basement because I don't want to ruin the rest of my vinyls by bringing them up into the godforsaken hellhole that is the first and second floor of my house.

To be honest this is why I prefer to get vinyl. These days music is downloaded and deleted like it's nothing. Personally I love having my music on vinyl, it makes it feel like it's worth something and that it needs to be maintained and looked after.

Exactly. Though I'm kinda miffed about having to store it cool, since that means I can't listen to them while in my room.

Also that really sucks about yours though. I asked my uncle about it and he told me that he used to flatten out warped record by pressing it between two pieces of wood, putting it in the oven for a couple minutes and then leaving a plant pot on top until it cooled down. Sounds absurd and I'm not advising it, it's just an amusing anecdote

I've seen that online but with plexiglass instead of wood. I'm a bit scared to try it. Might be a last-ditch effort though.

 

[Azure-Supernova]

I've seen that online but with plexiglass instead of wood. I'm a bit scared to try it. Might be a last-ditch effort though.

Well you haven't got much to lose, unles you can just bring them into a warmer area and hope they'll soften up naturally over time instead of in the oven?

 

[Something Amyss]

Recently, vinyls have been making a comeback in the music world.

No offense, but I've been hearing that for almost as long as I've been hearing "PC gaming is dying."

 

[SodaDew]

I got a trunk full of my parents old LPs which consists of late 50s to early 80's rock and blues music, my favorites of my collection are probably the original 'Meet The Beatles' and some album by the Rolling Stones, which the vinyl itself is white. Also, I also have had issues with warped albums and trying to find some way to fix it, hopefully you can find a way to get yours working :/

 

[Gxas]

I've seen that online but with plexiglass instead of wood. I'm a bit scared to try it. Might be a last-ditch effort though.

Well you haven't got much to lose, unles you can just bring them into a warmer area and hope they'll soften up naturally over time instead of in the oven?

I was debating the use of our "three-seasons" room. Basically a greenhouse with couches in it. Just talked to one of the guys from the band though, they might be able to replace them if the damage is bad enough.

No offense, but I've been hearing that for almost as long as I've been hearing "PC gaming is dying."

Have you taken a look at modern bands and their merch sites lately? I know that every pop/punk band nowadays presses 500 vinyls at the very least of everything, including EPs. I know that Katy Perry's new album was even pressed. You just have to know where to look for it. It's something you look for, not something you happen upon. It's still a very niche market.

 

[Azure-Supernova]

I was debating the use of our "three-seasons" room. Basically a greenhouse with couches in it. Just talked to one of the guys from the band though, they might be able to replace them if the damage is bad enough.

Ah so that's what you call a conservatory over there And that's cool of them! I bought Minus the Bear's album 'Omni' on CD the day it was released, I wrote to that band after I'd listened to it with a feel of the music and they sent me a free copy of the album on vinyl. I was going to buy it anyway but I was chuffed to bits!

 

[scorptatious]

I've read the title as "Vivi" instead of "Vinyl" as Vivi is pretty much my favorite character in Final Fantasy 9. I am sorely disappointed.

 

[onewheeled]

I've actually only bought one vinyl record in my life, and that would be the album City of Evil by Avenged Sevenfold. I found it in a great record store in Ashland, Oregon, and couldn't resist. Too bad it was $20.

But I've been digging deep into my dad's box of records, and I'm amazed. Five Kansas albums, The Beatles White Album, the Tommy soundtrack, and more. Thank God my dad has a vinyl-to-mp3 turntable, so I can get these awesome albums on my iPod.

I think this is going to be the start of a lifelong addiction.

 

[Gxas]

I was debating the use of our "three-seasons" room. Basically a greenhouse with couches in it. Just talked to one of the guys from the band though, they might be able to replace them if the damage is bad enough.

Ah so that's what you call a conservatory over there And that's cool of them! I bought Minus the Bear's album 'Omni' on CD the day it was released, I wrote to that band after I'd listened to it with a feel of the music and they sent me a free copy of the album on vinyl. I was going to buy it anyway but I was chuffed to bits!

Oh man! That's awesome! It's great when bands actually take the time to listen to their fans. It's why I love the music I listen to.

I've actually only bought one vinyl record in my life, and that would be the album City of Evil by Avenged Sevenfold. I found it in a great record store in Ashland, Oregon, and couldn't resist. Too bad it was $20.

But I've been digging deep into my dad's box of records, and I'm amazed. Five Kansas albums, The Beatles White Album, the Tommy soundtrack, and more. Thank God my dad has a vinyl-to-mp3 turntable, so I can get these awesome albums on my iPod.

I think this is going to be the start of a lifelong addiction.

$20 isn't terrible for a vinyl. I've gotten most of mine for $10-$15. That one was probably also out of press which made it a bit more valuable.

That's a pretty nice box he's got there. I'm still debating on whether I want to rip the vinyls or not. I think I'd just rather play them through the stereo than from my computer.

Spoiler: My current collection

With the Punches - Keep it Going EP, It's Not the End of the World EP
Fireworks - Gospel LP
The Wonder Years - Suburbia, I've Given You All and Now I'm Nothing LP, Won't Be Pathetic Forever EP
The Swellers - Ups and Downsizing LP, Welcome Back Riders EP
Paramore - All We Know is Falling LP
The Postal Service - Give Up LP

I've still got a few more on the way. The With the Punches EPs are the ones that are warped. The rest play fine. I also have two Coheed and Cambria EPs in a special place where I don't touch them.

 

[Aerodyamic]

I went through the record bin at a second hand charity store that was moving locations, and got a ton of old vinyl soundtracks to 40's and 50's musical movies, and a bunch of old Disney and animated stuff (like Snoopy albums). I've also got the Steppenwolf album somewhere.

I just wish I had more old punks albums, but I just don't have the time and money to haunt the few vinyl shops that might have some.

 

[Azure-Supernova]

Not sure how big they'll be but here goes:

Spoiler: 7 Randoms

Spoiler: 4 Randoms

I only keep a few in my room that I listen to the most frequently, the rest have a nice case kept under lock and key as they're either more valuable or I don't like listening to as much.

 

[Gxas]

snip

GAHHHH! Bat Out of Hell!!!! I envy you so much right now! I love that album!

 

[wolas3214]

I was expecting..

 

[Azure-Supernova]

snip

GAHHHH! Bat Out of Hell!!!! I envy you so much right now! I love that album!

That's my listening record, I've got a sealed press with my name on it when my uncle passes away He's promised me most of his collection which equates to a record shop itself. But I wouldn't have gotten into vinyl if it weren't for him and Bat Out of Hell was one of the first he gave me, right along with Fleetwood Mac and ELO.

 

[Gxas]

snip

GAHHHH! Bat Out of Hell!!!! I envy you so much right now! I love that album!

That's my listening record, I've got a sealed press with my name on it when my uncle passes away He's promised me most of his collection which equates to a record shop itself. But I wouldn't have gotten into vinyl if it weren't for him and Bat Out of Hell was one of the first he gave me, right along with Fleetwood Mac and ELO.

Oh god!! So jealous!! I haven't even begun to look for out of press albums yet. I'd kill for a Bat Out of Hell and a Born to Run vinyl though!

 

[Azure-Supernova]

Oh god!! So jealous!! I haven't even begun to look for out of press albums yet. I'd kill for a Bat Out of Hell and a Born to Run vinyl though!

Just recently a chap set himself up in town and he's got a few to hand, they're in less that idea condition but he assures everything in his shop is playable. And I'm pretty sure my uncles got some Springsteen, I'll have to check on that!

 

[Gxas]

Oh god!! So jealous!! I haven't even begun to look for out of press albums yet. I'd kill for a Bat Out of Hell and a Born to Run vinyl though!

Just recently a chap set himself up in town and he's got a few to hand, they're in less that idea condition but he assures everything in his shop is playable. And I'm pretty sure my uncles got some Springsteen, I'll have to check on that!

Gah... We don't have any record stores nearby me. I think the closest one is like, twenty minutes away in Cleveland... You'd think a place that holds the Rock'n'roll Hall of Fame would have plenty.