I'm starting to get to that point where I need to make some decisions about how to sort, file and store my records.
With LPs, it seemed fairly simple: Sort by genre (rock, jazz, country, classical, etc.) then alphabetically within genre and chronologically within artist. Voila.
With 78s, that doesn't seem like it'll work as well. I'm thinking of going with sorting by label, then either alphabetically by artist or chronologically by number. The main issue I'm looking to address, I think, is maximizing the ease of finding out whether the new oddball label record is something I have already and whether the duplicate of the popular artist on, say, Columbia Red or Decca is in better shape than the one I already have. The problem with that system, though, is if I want to find a record from a certain artist, or spend an hour or so digging into a specific genre, it's not as easy.
I suppose any system will have its advantages and drawbacks. What system do you use?
Thanks, gang!
Those with many hundreds of records: How do you sort & file?
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- Victor Jr
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Re: Those with many hundreds of records: How do you sort & f
I used a spreadsheet for several years to keep track of what I have. I grew tired of updating it and found I looked at it less and less. I rarely buy a record I have already and never used it to locate a specific disc.
My system is very basic now. When I want to listen to a genre, I simply pull out an Album. Not a LP Album. A Record Album. You can load the album to suit yourself. Pictured below are a few examples.
James.
My system is very basic now. When I want to listen to a genre, I simply pull out an Album. Not a LP Album. A Record Album. You can load the album to suit yourself. Pictured below are a few examples.
James.
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- Victor Jr
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Re: Those with many hundreds of records: How do you sort & f
Isn't that a dangerous storage method? Album spines could bite a chunk out of the disc, no?Roaring20s wrote:My system is very basic now. When I want to listen to a genre, I simply pull out an Album.
I'm storing all my keepers in sleeves from Nauck's.
- Roaring20s
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Re: Those with many hundreds of records: How do you sort & f
I'm the only person that handles them, so I do not worry.
If I allow someone else to view a binder, it comes with strict handling instruction (and a liability form).
James.
If I allow someone else to view a binder, it comes with strict handling instruction (and a liability form).
James.
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Re: Those with many hundreds of records: How do you sort & f
In a certain way, the records are much safer tucked away in those albums. Even in a thick Nauck's sleeve, the record could still be prone to break if it flopped over or fell off the shelf or or sumthin'.CPBarnum wrote:Isn't that a dangerous storage method? Album spines could bite a chunk out of the disc, no?Roaring20s wrote:My system is very basic now. When I want to listen to a genre, I simply pull out an Album.
I'm storing all my keepers in sleeves from Nauck's.
The albums require a certain technique when flipping through to safely extract a record within. I use a a mix of albums and indivdually sleeved records, depending on my needs.
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Re: Those with many hundreds of records: How do you sort & f
"Sex and drugs" James - excellent, rofl!Roaring20s wrote:I used a spreadsheet for several years to keep track of what I have. I grew tired of updating it and found I looked at it less and less. I rarely buy a record I have already and never used it to locate a specific disc.
My system is very basic now. When I want to listen to a genre, I simply pull out an Album. Not a LP Album. A Record Album. You can load the album to suit yourself. Pictured below are a few examples.
James.
Within broad category types (e.g. classical vocal, jazz/dance, R&B/gospel, world music of various types) I store and file alphabetically by artist then date - two drawbacks are that significant numbers of additions need the entire section to be reshuffled sooner or later, and split artists records (i.e. different each side) need cross-referencing.
For a large-ish collection (mine's about 17 ½ thousand at present) no one system is perfect! I'm heading for a thin-down when they come out of storage after we've moved house. I'm probably past the point where I'm unlikely to have enough time left on the planet to listen to them all, and that's a bit pointless.
Andy
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- Victor Monarch Special
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Re: Those with many hundreds of records: How do you sort & f
Firstly by genre, e.g. :
Opera & classical vocal.
Jazz & Dance band.
Military band.
Historic.
Unusual labels.
The records are filed in artist A-Z order apart from the Unusual Labels which are in manufacturer's A-Z order.
They are listed A-Z on typewritten pages stored in ring binders, as I am pre-computer. To me a spreadsheet is something you throw on a bed.
Opera & classical vocal.
Jazz & Dance band.
Military band.
Historic.
Unusual labels.
The records are filed in artist A-Z order apart from the Unusual Labels which are in manufacturer's A-Z order.
They are listed A-Z on typewritten pages stored in ring binders, as I am pre-computer. To me a spreadsheet is something you throw on a bed.
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- Auxetophone
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Re: Those with many hundreds of records: How do you sort & f
Most of mine are sorted by genre, or in some instances by artist or instrument when I have a large number of those records (i.e. Caruso or banjo). I used to keep a spreadsheet, but these days records are usually just filed with gin-fueled whimsy.
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Re: Those with many hundreds of records: How do you sort & f
I am lucky that my interest is relatively new thus my organisation is very similar to Epigramophone's but I am gradually building up spread sheets on the computer which then allow easy reference and insertions---see attachments below.
Records are stored all over the house so, when looking for a particular disc, I sometimes send myself an email from my computer to my iPhone containing the relevant attachment which I can then scroll through in the new location. In addition to a "general" list, I also keep separate locations for selected artists in numerical order where I have a larger quantity. Duplicates are entered in red.
If anyone finds the blank template vaguely helpful please feel free to use it.
Records are stored all over the house so, when looking for a particular disc, I sometimes send myself an email from my computer to my iPhone containing the relevant attachment which I can then scroll through in the new location. In addition to a "general" list, I also keep separate locations for selected artists in numerical order where I have a larger quantity. Duplicates are entered in red.
If anyone finds the blank template vaguely helpful please feel free to use it.
- Attachments
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- Master BLANK format for all 78 rpm record data spread sheets.xlsx
- (9.62 KiB) Downloaded 86 times
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- 12 inch master list-operatic.xlsx
- (369.34 KiB) Downloaded 83 times
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Re: Those with many hundreds of records: How do you sort & f
Years ago I started an electronic data base to help me sort and list what records I have but the program I used is no longer supported. How I file is by label first - so there is a shelf of closet of pre- war Victor Electrics, Columbia, Edison, Etc.
Then within each section they are divided by recording artist, then those artists are in sections like Vocal or Band. Each of the different artists have a small divider that fits between the sections and lists the artist's name...
There are sub sections for very rare records - and there is one shelf just for The Charleston - A friend once challenged me find all the different copies of the original, then there is a section for other pieces that are a Charleston or reference the dance in the song.
Then within each section they are divided by recording artist, then those artists are in sections like Vocal or Band. Each of the different artists have a small divider that fits between the sections and lists the artist's name...
There are sub sections for very rare records - and there is one shelf just for The Charleston - A friend once challenged me find all the different copies of the original, then there is a section for other pieces that are a Charleston or reference the dance in the song.
- Attachments
"I think he was vaccinated with a phonograph needle"
My Old Boss 1923 - 2010
My Old Boss 1923 - 2010