Comments on: Back on eBay, Backing Buying Jazz Vinyl

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 01:25:39 +0000

Makes sense to me. Like you Blue Note is my favorite label and I try to listen in any way I can. Happy hunting.

By: Mattyman

Mattyman — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 22:25:38 +0000

Well, Mike, I’m familiar with all the audiophile Blue Note alternatives that are available nowadays. I have been able to do the same comparisons like the ones you described. A friend of mine not only can play SACD discs, but he also has one of those astronomically expensive glass turntables and he, too, has a few of those 45rpm double vinyl Blue Note reissues. He played Kenny Drew’s “Undercurrent” from the now out of print 45rpm reissue from Music Matters Ltd. for me. The quietness of the vinyl -indeed- gives a smooth and brilliant sound. But here’s the deal for me: I collect mostly CDs. They’re cheaper and easier to obtain for me and the music is what matters. I don’t have a super expensive stereo set, but it brings me a lot of joy. Since from all the jazz labels that I have in my CD cabinet, I like Blue Note the most, I try to every now and then lay hands on a truly original 1st pressing, just to add something “real” to the CD collection that I built over the years, call it my Blue Note “shrine”. The originals are like works of art to me. And the few 1st vinyl pressings that I have are the true jewels in the crown for me. So it is for that reason that I just buy the ‘regular’ Blue Note CDs wherever I can get them and sometimes a Jap. re-release, just to immediately come home and play them. The audiophile re-releases, especially the superb ones from Music Matters Ltd. are absolutely stunning and great, but I’ve decided to not invest in them and only focus on expanding my collection through CDs, so that I can every now and then try to use the saved money for an auction here and there! 😉
Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it.
Mattyman, The Netherlands.

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 19:48:26 +0000

Mattyman, Have you tried any of the audiophile blue note reissues. I’ve found that whether digital(SACDs from Analogue Productions or XRCDs from Elusive Disc) or analog(45rpms from music matters and analogue productions or 33s from Classic Records) they are all good. The digitals are very quiet with nice resolution, and trounce the RVG blue note reissues. While I would much rather have the real thing, the analogs are a much cheaper substitute. I have 4 45 rpm reissues and don’t like the inconvenience of changing sides twice as often they sound beautiful. I’ve compared the Lee Morgan’s Candy(one of my all time favs) 45rpm music matters vs original pressing(In VG+ condition). While the Original sounds better, the 45rpm reissue is a good bit quieter and does not have any pops or ticks. While a M- pressing would not, I paid $50 for the reissue and a M- pressing would be well above $1000. The reissues lacked the collectible nature of the originals but for many Blue Notes go for like a tenth of the price. They are not cheap, but if you are just trying to gain access to the music(I collect originals as much as I can but I ain’t a bijillionare so it’s tough), I’ve found this is the way to go.

By: Mattyman

Mattyman — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 00:15:39 +0000

Well, Aaron, Ceedee, I fully understand all of your comments. It all makes sense to me now. My first auction and thankfully there are plenty of comments from the ‘regulars’ that offer some good advice. Still, if I just think of that one auction that I once attended in real life (they were selling Wurlitzer juke boxes), people were actually all in the same hall with each other, they could see each other and the price just went up and up and up and up until one of the last bidders gave up. The guy who led the auction said “Going once, going twice… and… SOLD to the man over there with the red shirt…” and that was it. No “sniping”, no bull ****ing, no, just an honest auction based on what a few bidders had in mind as their ultimate bid. And of course the highest bidder won. But with the “sniping”, it doesn’t feel that way, no: for some reason you feel kinda ****ed, since there has been no real “fight”, money wise. It’s just based on a “setting” and -indeed- they go about enjoying life. It’s for that reason that I was so frustrated. But I’m calm now 😉 -Just played some good ol’ Dial recordings from Charlie Parker and I’ve lost all my anger and frustration. Tomorrow it’ll be Sunday; plenty of time to sign up for a “sniper” account myself and we’ll see what happens from there! 🙂
Mattyman, The Netherlands

By: ceedee

ceedee — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 20:36:31 +0000

Matty,just another word re:sniping. Some collectors(probably the majority) simply look at their lists of “wants”,budget how much they are willing to pay for each item,set up their “snipe”…and then go about enjoying life! Depending on the current MUST HAVE on ebay that day,they could do well-or not. I,too,hate it when that record you thought nobody else noticed-you know,that minty,mono Blue Note for 9.99?- jumps up $400 or so in the last 3 seconds-“$409.99”. Those types of “pre-set snipes” are just people doing what often makes the most sense- ” Just set it and forget it”. Although another phrase comes to mind that eases the hurt-“sob”- a bit…”You win some,you lose some!”

By: Aaron

Aaron — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 20:22:21 +0000

Matty, don’t feel too bad, the winning bidder might have put in a $200 bid but the reason it went for $152.50 is because $2.50 was the next increment above your $150 bid.

By: Mattyman

Mattyman — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 17:35:50 +0000

Well, Rudolf, indeed it’s clear that I saved myself $ 152.20 because of the “sniper” that outbid me, but fact is that I was willing to fork out the 150 bucks. And then to know that at the very last second you lose over a mere 2.50 more than the actual 150, makes you want to pull all the hairs out of your head. But indeed: we have to try out “sniping”, too. Still I keep thinking how to outbid or “outsnipe” the other ones, especially if they’re sniping as well… To be continued I guess.
Mattyman, The Netherlands.

By: Rudolf

Rudolf — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 16:12:07 +0000

Mattyman: that is very distressing. I have had this experience rather often: sitting with wet hands waiting for the very last moment and then, oops, it is still snapped away.
Good to learn from Al and ceedee that there is a remedy. I will try it out. My inexperience though saved me a lot of money.

By: Mattyman

Mattyman — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 15:45:18 +0000

Well, Al, Ceedee, that “sniping” thing sure sounds interesting. And it probably was exactly what I was dealing with here. Who are the culprits? You guys? Gimme my Horace Parlan back! 😉
But seriously folks, it’s been a valuable experience and it’s especially these little comments from the ‘regulars’ here at Jazzcollector that are true eye openers. I mean, how is a rookie like me supposed to know anything about “sniping”? Well, now I know, so believe me that I’ll dig into it. Losing a record at the very last few seconds by a difference of a mere 3 bucks truly is crappy experience!
Mattyman, The Netherlands

By: ceedee

ceedee — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 13:02:44 +0000

Yeah,Matty-just google ‘snipe ebay’ or such and you’ll come up with lots of info. I once used it more often myself,but decided that if I’m not on a computer when an item closes,I’m unlikely to bid. This has saved me much money(for sure),while I’ve become addicted to the ‘kick’ I get in planning to grab a goodie in the last seconds! (oops..sorry,lol)