Remember the time when you used to listen to the latest songs on the radio. You used to wait for the album to get released and buy the records. And even though the sound quality was not as good as today’s iPods and Spotify, the experience of using the record on the gramophone was a delight in itself. Let us know about Why Is Blonde Vinyl So Expensive?
While the vinyl records business seems to have simmered down from its ultra popularity in the early 20th century, some people relish the simplicity of the past and enjoy using types of vinyl. And one of their passions is to collect rare pieces of vinyl. A recent vinyl that has been making the headlines is the Blonde vinyl for its high price. This article will discuss why it is so expensive and if it is the most expensive vinyl ever. So go on and enjoy the reading.
What is vinyl?
Vinyl is the name given to gramophone records that got used to listening to music. These were given the name of the vinyl records in the 1940s when these records got made of polyvinyl chloride. Throughout the 20, the 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s, types of vinyl were the dominant way of listening to music in the comfort of your homes. The 80s was an era when digital media gained pace, and CDs, walkmen, cassettes, and DVDs were introduced to the market. After that, the vinyl records market declined rapidly.
Is vinyl still popular?
While pieces of vinyl might seem like outdated items, they are extremely popular among teenagers. Those who listen to old-school-style music can find the vinyl record in music shops even today. The retro style is getting revived by music artists, and they are using vinyl records for their music albums. However, pieces of vinyl do not contribute much to the music sales, being durable and containing more material than the CD, people buy vinyl records. Moreover, it lets the artist illustrate their album art on the vinyl covers more freely.
What is Blonde?
Blonde, alternatively named Blond, is a music album released by American musician Frank Ocean. It was released as an exclusive album on iTunes store and Apple Music and featured many singers such as Beyonce, Yung Lean, and Kim Burrell. The album is famous for its lyrics considered ahead of their time and got critically appraised for the mixture of R&B, hip hop, soul, indie rock, and pop music. Rolling Stone has ranked it among the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Why is the Blonde vinyl so expensive?
While the Blonde album seems to be a good one, you must be thinking why is it so exorbitantly priced. While an ordinary record costs between $20 and $30. This one was as expensive as $350. It was already a bit more expensive than usual, being priced at $45. While there is no particular reason for it being so expensive, there are a few reasons that can contribute to it being so high-priced. One is the fact that the Blonde vinyl is rare and not available at every vinyl record store. The second is that the demand for this record is much more than the originally supplied albums. It is a valuable item. However, you can buy bootleg versions of the album at cheaper rates.
Is the Blonde vinyl the most expensive ever?
The Blonde vinyl is expensive. But believe it or not, there have been vinyl records that are much more expensive than Blonde. Here is a list of records that are deemed as the most expensive vinyl records of all time:-
- Once upon a time in Shaolin by Wu-Tang Clan: This record released in 2016, was sold for a whopping amount of $2 million.
- The Beatles by the Beatles: A rare record, this one was sold for $790,000 because of being the first and original copy.
- My Happiness by Elvis Presley: This Elvis Presley record was sold for $300,000.
These records come in the top three most expensive vinyl records ever. However, these are not sold to the customers. These were auctioned, and people who wanted these rare records in their collection offered a price for them. There are many other Beatles records that have gained a spot in being the most expensive types of vinyl ever sold.
Conclusion
This article has given you a fair idea why vinyl records, especially the Blonde vinyl are so expensive. The vinyl records industry has seen an increase, after two decades. And though the increase cannot match up to the original popularity, vinyl records have still made a comeback. Blonde is an exclusive album, which due to its rare availability, is so highly priced. You can hunt the Blonde album at your nearest records shop and even search for it online.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where to buy vinyl records?
You can buy vinyl records at Urban Outfitters. There are certain local websites that sell refurbished vinyl also. Some of the best websites to buy from are Experience Vinyl, LPNOW, Watson Records, and Vinyl Me, Please. You can even visit music stores nearby and buy from an extensive collection.
2. Should I clean my vinyl records?
You should, from time to time, clean your records collection. It is because vinyl tends to accumulate dust and other impurities on its surface. Please refrain from using dish soap or detergent to clean it. In case you clean it using water, use distilled water.
3. How long does a vinyl record last?
The life of a vinyl record depends upon the caring and cleaning of the vinyl done by you. If not taken care of, the vinyl can get damaged in one or two years. If taken care of properly, it can last up to a human’s lifetime.
4. Can I play vinyl records as much as I want?
Vinyl records are a durable item that can get played 100 times or even more with minor deterioration in the sound quality. There is no limit or extent to which you play the records. But to listen, you need to take care of and maintain the record as it is fragile.
