DJ Russel & Ayesha
How long it has been since you are a record collector? Russel: We have collectively been collecting vinyl for about 50 years. Could be more. Both of us have been collecting since we were kids.
Ayesha: My earliest memories are of going to Hiro Music House with my dad once a month and being allowed to choose what I wanted to listen to that month.
After consolidating our vinyl a few years ago, we had a collection of about 700 records. This has now dwindled to less than 200 as of a few months ago, due to a neighbour’s carelessness, which destroyed most of our vinyl. So, we’ve started rebuilding our collection and will slowly but surely get back to our original collection if not more.
For both of us, the value of our records comes not so much from its cost but when and why we got those records.
Russel: Dire Straits - Dire Straits (UK, 1978) was the first album I bought with money I earned from a gig. Usha Iyer - Scotch And Soda (India, 1969), that one’s a precious rare one for me. Yello - Essential (Europe, 1992), which took me I don’t how long to source. And of course Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Hologram Vinyl) & Bob Marley & The Wailers - 2 LP Set Tri-Color 30th Anniversary Edition for their sheer visual value.
Ayesha:Peggy Lee – The Best Of Peggy Lee - Vol.1 & 2 (UK, 1960). Got this as a gift from my grandparents.
Tell us about your turntable setup
Turntables: Technics 1210 mk2 x2
Mixer:Pioneer DJM 900 Nexus 2 x1
Speakers:Cosmic JBL x2
Amp: Cosmic JBL x1 & Taurus x1
Be a discerning collector. 2ndhand vinyl is good too. Do research physically (leg work is important in collecting vinyl) as well as online. Don’t get taken in by packaging. It doesn’t always reflect the quality of the pressing. Decide early on if you’re going to be a collector and just hoard or also listen to what you buy. Don’t hesitate to start small with your turntable and related gear setup.