zdkaiser Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I'm new to the forum and recently exposed to the notion of variant collectors. It has sort of raised some questions for me, but mostly...what is the appeal to variant collecting? I am not trying to instigate a ruckus, but rather a discussion. In my eyes, there are just too many artists and good albums out there that i couldn't bring myself to spend my limited funds on the same album in 7 different colors. I understand the beauty of colored vinyl and often pay a premium for limited releases, but I don't understand the "collect them all" mentality. It seems like some bands are privy to these collectors and specifically sell numerous low numbered runs. 250 of one color, 150 of another. In the end it probably clogs up the already congested pressing plants and releases get delayed. Variant collectors, I understand that the album is a piece of art, but is that solely the draw for multiple copies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batman Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 the hobby rynflnnry and smailtronic 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGhostOfRandySavage Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 This shit again? Ughhhhh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelby Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 It seems like some bands are privy to these collectors and specifically sell numerous low numbered runs. 250 of one color, 150 of another. In the end it probably clogs up the already congested pressing plants and releases get delayed. How would 400 records clog up a plant when there are tens of thousands of unnecessary represses of dollar bin records? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiatorhums Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 In my eyes, there are just too many artists and good albums out there that i couldn't bring myself to spend my limited funds on the same album in 7 different colors. I understand the beauty of colored vinyl and often pay a premium for limited releases, but I don't understand the "collect them all" mentality. This is how I feel. I'd rather have ten different albums then ten copies of the same album. But that's just me and people can spend their money however they want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladew1ll1s1sdead Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I literally cannot speak for anybody else but I am trying to 100%(tapes,vinyl cd) a couple bands I'm friends with. Koolhandnick 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinch Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 This is VC so don't expect an adult discussion on this topic... But the easy answer? Whatever makes people happy (or gives an illusion of happiness). There's no real rationale to it, but there is no rationale to most ways we spend our money. Buying vinyl alone is irrational. There are ways to buy more music for less money. There are ways to buy more music that also sounds way better and costs less money. rynflnnry and TFP 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladewillisisdead Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Sometimes people like things. rynflnnry 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amnstypls Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 the hobby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zdkaiser Posted December 20, 2014 Author Share Posted December 20, 2014 How would 400 records clog up a plant when there are tens of thousands of unnecessary represses of dollar bin records? Good point. Then again everything is getting pressed these days. I.e., the Transformers cartoon soundtrack? Dexter on blood splatter? Sons of Anarchy with Katey Sagal's atrocious voice? What next 4 Golden Girls picture discs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maneatingcow Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 The only time I really "collect" varaints, is if it's a band I am super in love with and want to give them extra money. Typically the smaller the band the more likely I am to "collect" the variants of their records. Tim Barry is a good example of an artist I'll order copy of each variant of his records. Typically in these situations I'll try to find reasons to pass on my duplicate copies at a future date as a way to get new people into the bands music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelby Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Good point. Then again everything is getting pressed these days. I.e., the Transformers cartoon soundtrack? Dexter on blood splatter? Sons of Anarchy with Katey Sagal's atrocious voice? What next 4 Golden Girls picture discs? That sounds great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
museummouth Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Good point. Then again everything is getting pressed these days. I.e., the Transformers cartoon soundtrack? Dexter on blood splatter? Sons of Anarchy with Katey Sagal's atrocious voice? What next 4 Golden Girls picture discs? I would buy 4 Gold Girls picture disc 7 inches with the theme song on it. Also why collect anything? The same principle applies here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjkenney Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Also why collect anything? The same principle applies here. I feel this way about it. I'm not going to ask other collectors 'why collect this band?' or 'why collect this label?'. Everyone has a different desire within collecting, it just depends from person to person. I like the option with variants, but that's as far as I try to go with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGhostOfRandySavage Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 That sounds great Right?! This I would buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xadamhudsonx Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 It's the same as with anything people collect. What if you were a coin collector? You wouldn't stop and say, I've already got a penny in my collection so I don't need this rare or hard to find penny. Collecting is collecting. People just do it at different levels. BeardlessYouth 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXDRMST Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I would not collect variants if it were just the colour of the album that differs, however I do have some of my favorite albums twice, provided they have alternate artwork. I think the ability to say you have the "Complete collection" of something is what some people strive for. They are simply completionists, which is something you'll find in all kinds of collecting, not just records. I also doubt people do this for every single band they enjoy listening to either. Its usually one or two that hold a special place in their heart. (aww...) BeardlessYouth 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexH. Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Just read this and replace every instance of "comic books" with "colored vinyl". The short answer is that people see completism as the purest form of collecting, and see collecting as something you just do when you're a "big fan"/"true fan" of something. Variants are a clean, straightforward way to be able to own all of something, especially when some labels will sell them all as a bundle for a discount. As a result, "well, [band] is my favorite band so I'm in for all three colors of the fourth pressing of [2-song single being sold for $7.99]" or "ugh I really hate this new album, but I've gotta keep the [band] collection going. In for the [country with expensive shipping rates] exclusive" are things you'll read on this board, and you're right to think it's insane. It's a pretty glaring example of the larger societal problem of the obfuscation of participation in art & culture to where it just means carrying out a reflexive series of financial and social transactions in exchange for what basically amounts to cool points. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zdkaiser Posted December 20, 2014 Author Share Posted December 20, 2014 For me, i like the idea of music discovery. There is 100+ years worth of recorded music by thousands of artists i could buy. And when i buy albums i think about diversifying my collection, something new. I like a mixture of genres to choose from. Then again, i consume music and am always looking for new sounds. I understand peoples' reasoning for collecting variants now. kjkenney 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HybridxReality Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I only variant collect when it's a band/album I absolutely love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3arl Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Fuck this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhulud Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 THE HOBBY!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Family Friendly Rap God Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Because reasons.. Seriously I just started variant collecting for Coheed and at times I check myself because it isn't cheap but I absolutely love everything they've done (except Year of the Black Rainbow YUCK). They are my favorite band and owning their complete vinyl discography may seem dumb to some people but it sounds glorious to me. Besides it's my money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Lock thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eight1echo Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I only variant collect when it's a band/album I absolutely love. I only variant collect when it's a band I really hate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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