With the advent of the internet and all relating technologies there has never before been such a wealth of ideas to buy great gifts for vinyl lovers, with plenty of inspiration to help you please the resident vinyl record collector in your circle of friends. You just can’t beat the look, sound and feel of a vinyl record, the utter nostalgia of it, and thanks to the present vinyl boom there has never been such an apposite time to buy gifts for a friend who loves collecting vinyl records.
As already elucidated, there are a whole host of gifts for vinyl lovers, and these will range from totally useful to pure novelty, though I would argue there’s always a space for both in the arms of any vinyl record and / or music enthusiast. Even the most novelty gifts for vinyl lovers will have some sort of use around the house, and that’s the beauty of it.
There is not a bad time of the year to gift your resident vinyl record collector something they are likely to cherish, to hold dear with them and to allow them to think of them every time they are behind their decks spinning discs.
Velvet Vinyl Dust Brush
You really can’t go wrong with such a useful gift for a collector. No matter where they go, what they are listening to, or who is or is not around to see it, dust is almost certainly going to get involved. Something about vinyl records in particular seems to welcome it with wide open arms outstretched, as though it simply cannot get enough of these old, vintage and retro sounds, pouring from the record, into the stylus, the needle and out of the speakers.
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No matter why the dust rears its head, it can be a real nuisance. No doubt some feel that the appeal of collecting vinyl records is precisely the sound of a turntable needle clawing its way through the mounds of dust that have accumulated over the years, the literal epitome of the glorifying of nostalgia. Even if I don’t necessarily believe in nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake, even I have to admit how satisfying it is to hear the snap, crackle and pop of tired old vinyl records spinning on the platter, like an overexcited bowl of cereal.
Your resident vinyl collector might think otherwise, however, particularly if they are more of an audiophile than I am. If they are always out and about, commenting on audio fidelity and distortion and the like, then chances are they are not going to be hugely into the amount of dust that can accumulate on vinyl records.
Thus, a tool like this, which is specifically designed to deal with the dust that accumulates on vinyl records and plagues many an audiophile in turn, is going to be one of those gifts for vinyl lovers that you simply can’t be without, whether as a birthday gift, a christmas gift, or simply because you feel like it and know that it will please the recipient to no end.
Complete Care Vinyl Cleaning Kit
Any vinyl record collector at some point or another is going to need to get down and dirty with their records. As previously elucidated, vinyl records attract dirt and dust and grime like they are related to it or something. I suppose you could, in fact, say that they are, considering dust and dirt are the remnants of lives past, much like all recordings are relics of a musical moment or performance gone by.
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Nevertheless, if a record is to last longer than it’s sell by date so to speak, a vinyl record collector is going to need to show each record some love. What with the clinical perfection and uncanny inhumanity of digital audio technology, it is no wonder that such imperfect formats like vinyl and cassette have made such a massive comeback in the 21st century. They are placeholders for a time uninhabited by more or less the entire userbase, allowing younger generations to return to a time they see as being previous to the veritable complexity of the modern day.
Cue this holistic, all in one vinyl record cleaning kit to reduce this complexity by just the right amount. Such an all encompassing cleaning kit is likely to have anyone who is serious about their vinyl records swooning in your arms.
Contained within are two cleaning solutions, one for the discs themselves and the other for cleaning the stylus. Alongside this are dedicated brushes for each aspect of the turntable, as well as a general microfibre cloth. All of these elements seek to remove dust and grime that gets in the way of the perfect vinyl sound. Any audiophile would convulse at the thought, of having been gifted such a useful panoply of goodies.
12″ LP Sleeves for Vinyl Records
As gifts for vinyl lovers go, this is another that ought to be ubiquitous among all record lovers. Where previous gifts in this list have been concerned with the sanctity of the disc itself, these polypropylene sleeves are more concerned with the preservation of the sleeve itself.
This is an aspect oft neglected in the world of vinyl record collecting. Far too often, you will receive a record in the post or out in the wild, whose disc will be perfectly preserve but whose sleeve will look more like rags. So much of the experience of listening to and appreciating a record is in these sleeves. Listening to a record properly, sitting back and holding the sleeve aloft like art. For that is what it is, and why album covers are referred to, by some, as album art.
Here is where these polypropylene sleeves come in. You might have seen similar accessories on some or all of the records in your local record store. Too often, however, those used in record stores are murky and almost opaque. Fair enough, it would be pretty expensive to deck every record in the store with such high grade plastic sleeves. But that is precisely what these sleeves offer, bearing crystal clear transparency.
These crystal-clear polypropylene outer sleeves help protect album covers from dust, scuffs and everyday shelf wear while keeping the artwork visible. They are designed for standard 12-inch LP covers.
Vinyl Record Storage Case
This is for someone looking for gifts for vinyl lovers who want to strike a balance. This storage case keeps a selection of records together at home or on the move. Holding up to 35 LPs, even those in plastic sleeves, this is a perfect gift for the disc jockeys everywhere, as well as those simply looking to show off their records to visitors.
Many other cases of this variety neglect this important latter aspect. This particular vinyl record storage case takes pride in so openly exhibiting the records to onlookers. This is a sturdy case, one that isn’t going to topple over if opened, no matter how few records garner the insides.
However, this strength and sturdiness in design does not translate to being cumbersome. This vinyl record storage case is rugged and robust, designed in a flight style so as to be transported just about anywhere you can fathom. Likewise, its light weight and portability do not translate to a lack in strength.
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It is all too often the case that records take a knock, particularly in the corners. This vinyl record case makes sure to protect these corners, fitted with strong metal cappings. Thus, the edges, all too vulnerable usually, are rendered strong, all while still being more than comfortable to carry.
All of this while carrying a case in a leatherette finish designed to turn heads. If you or the recipient of this gift are style conscious, always thinking about which matches with what, and what matches with which, then look no further. This vinyl case is bound correspond clearly with the retro look of your local neighbourhood vinyl collector, making this one of those gifts for vinyl lovers you just can’t miss out on!
Record Display Shelf Unit
Alternatively, for the vinyl record collector who is looking to utterly exhibit themselves and their record collection for all visitors to their abode, then look no further! This display shelf unit is one of those gifts for vinyl lovers that boasts an inherent utility while still being beautifully constructed. All of this while simultaneously allowing each individual record collector to exhibit their prized records however and in whatever order they please.
Able to hold up to 50 x 12 inch LP records, this strong and aesthetically pleasing display unit keeps a selection of your records close to hand and accessible, though never at the expense of the aesthetic and the visual. This display unit is not, however, limited to just 12 inch records, but can in fact hold anything you throw it at. 7 inch records, 10 inch records, 12 inch records, you name it, this unit will be ready and awaiting to embrace it with open arms.
Explore the record display shelf
The solid oak base has a grooved record channel to keep albums upright. Non-slip rubber feet help protect the surface beneath.
A premium feature that adds an additional layer of protection for the vinyl are the shatter proof acrylic ends. These acrylic ends are designed to take the weight of your albums, and their clear finish means that the beauty of the vinyl and vinyl stand is there for everyone to see!
All this, alongside the vintage oak wood design and the inclusion of a lint free microfibre cloth free of charge, make this an offer that would be near impossible to refuse.
Final Tones
So, there you have it, an end to this list of five practical gifts for vinyl lovers. With any one of these gifts being able to please any record collector, you can hardly go wrong. Personalising this gift to the recipient, making sure the reason you are buying it suits their needs and circumstances, just means you are going that extra mile.
FAQs Gifts for Vinyl Lovers
What do you get someone who loves vinyl?
There are a whole host of gifts for vinyl lovers, and these will range from totally useful to pure novelty, though I would argue there’s always a space for both in the arms of any vinyl record and / or music enthusiast. Even the most novelty gifts for vinyl lovers will have some sort of use around the house, and that’s the beauty of it. You can’t really go wrong with buying a record for a vinyl lover, provided you have scoped out which records they usually like. There is nothing more painful than giving a gift that is not the one, or receiving a gift that is not the one.
What all does a vinyl collector need?
The one thing that all vinyl collectors need is vinyl, else they would not technically be vinyl collectors. You can’t really go wrong with buying a record for a vinyl lover, provided you have scoped out which records they usually like. There is not much more painful than giving a gift that is not the right one, or receiving a gift that is not the right one. Make a point of conversing with the recipient of a vinyl related gift about what kind of music they like, what kind of vinyl records they like to collect etc.
Is a turntable a good gift?
Yes and no. If you manage to bag the right turntable, then this can be a gift that changes the life of the recipient, able as they are to listen to all of their records how they want to. It is all too easy, however, to receive the wrong turntable. If the recipient of this gift is an audiophile, for example, they are not going to be too pleased to receive a Crosley; the audio quality is beyond unacceptable and the needle has been shown to damage the records that it plays. Unless you know clearly what kind of turntable the recipient of the gift is after, try to avoid it, and definitely avoid a Crosley if possible.
What record should I buy?
This will depend entirely on the recipient of the record. If this is you, then follow your heart and mind through the record store, using your ears to sample a record on the in house system if you are not quite sure. If the record is for someone else then you are going to need to get a good idea of the kind of music they like and / or the kind of vinyl records they collect. There is not much more painful than giving a gift that is not the right one, or receiving a gift that is not the right one. Make a point of conversing with the recipient of a vinyl related gift about their personal preferences.
You might also like: Complete Care Vinyl Cleaning Kit — One of the most useful gifts a record collector can receive.
