Customer Reviews

Goldmine Record Album Price Guide

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Goldmine's record price guides are notorious for their inaccuracy, especially when it comes to values. Most of the prices in the guide are wrong, but that has never stopped me from owning the Record Album Price Guides, because they include some invaluable info re pressing dates, label styles, catalog numbers, etc. However, the latest edition seems to have been slapped together lazily (with little or no research), and offers no improvement over previous editions.

For example, the Label Identification Guide still omits key collectible labels, including Blue Note and Prestige - two of the most desirable jazz labels, where a difference in the address on the label can be the difference between a $20 LP and a $500 original pressing. The guide also still includes artists like Bing Crosby and Perry Como, even though it is impossible to find a collector who will pay $1 for any one of their LPs. The omissions are glaring, especially considering the popularity of vinyl records by bands {like White Stripes, for one example) whose LPs regularly bring high prices.

Worst of all, Martin Popoff's articles are inaccurate at best, especially his essay on record hunting, "A Cabbagetown Excursion: My 16 LPs for $30." In that article, he claims that Julie Driscoll's "1969" is worth $95 for a "very rare" Canadian copy. Not only is that a spurious claim, but the LP's U.S. pressing is not even included in the price guide. That kind of inconsistency is unforgivable.

As for the listings themselves, over 90% are simply reprints from previous editions, with no changes in data, no change in value. This is simply unrealistic and does not reflect the actual trends in record collecting.

Unfortunately, Goldmine's Record Album Price Guide is the best book of its kind on today's market. However, my 4th edition is every bit as useful as the 6th, and copies of the 4th & 5th editions are widely available at half the price.

If you don't have an older edition it's great, however changes from the 4th or 5th editions are minimal.

While this album guide is more detailed than the album sections of the Goldmine record guide, there are still many artists omitted from the listings. Although easy to use, there are many artists, particulary from the 50's & 60's, who can not be found in this guide.

Very complete and informative. A great reference source not only for yourself but friends and family too. Might be some treasures in that old box of records!

The articles were informative, and the information was clear and easy to read. I advise strongly that any/all vinyl enthusiasts should have this book. You may want to get a separate Jazz guide, however - a lot of jazz music was not in here. Even so... It's a good resource.

This amazing book is chock full of LP's that I've never even heard of. It has so much info that your eyes could glaze over from information overload! This book is a great resource for the serious LP collector/buyer/seller! Easy to use and read!

Thanks for the great service and price! Book was delivered in excellent shape!

It's required reading for both the novice and seasoned vinyl record collector. An invaluable tool for identifying record pressing dates, suggested but very subjective values, and rules of the trade. Highly recommended for anyone interested in collecting or wanting to sell their prized vinyl LP collection. 3 thumbs up!

This guide is just what I needed to find out what I have is worth !!!THANKS