Every week someone walks into my shop and says something like, “I just got a turntable for my birthday and I don’t know where to start.” It’s one of my favourite conversations to have, because there’s genuinely no wrong answer. But there are some ways to do it that won’t leave you eating two-minute noodles for a month.

Forget the Grail Mentality

The biggest mistake new collectors make is thinking they need to chase rare pressings from day one. You don’t. The record collecting community has a weird obsession with scarcity that can make beginners feel like they’re doing it wrong if they’re not hunting down original Australian pressings of Cold Chisel’s East on the Alberts label.

Start with music you actually want to listen to. Sounds obvious, but you’d be amazed how many people buy records they think they should own rather than records they’ll actually put on the turntable.

Set a Monthly Budget

I tell every new collector the same thing: decide what you can comfortably spend per month and stick to it. For most people starting out, $50-80 a month is plenty. That’s two to three records, which is enough to build a solid collection over time without feeling the pinch.

At that pace, you’ll have 25-35 records after a year. That’s a proper collection. You can fill an evening with music and never repeat a side.

Where to Find Affordable Records

Here’s where it gets practical. New vinyl in Australia typically runs $35-55 for a standard LP, which eats into a modest budget fast. So mix it up:

Op shops and charity stores. Vinnies, Salvos, and local op shops are still gold mines if you’re willing to dig. I’ve found incredible stuff for $2-5 a pop. Yes, you’ll wade through a lot of Nana Mouskouri and James Last, but the discoveries make it worth it.

Garage sales and markets. The Camberwell Sunday Market in Melbourne is legendary, but every Australian city has equivalent spots. Get there early.

Your local indie shop’s bargain bin. Every shop I know has a section of records priced under $15. These aren’t junk — they’re often great albums that just aren’t trendy right now.

Online marketplaces. Discogs is the obvious one, but also check Facebook Marketplace and local record swap groups. Australians are generally good about accurately grading condition.

Gear Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive

You don’t need a $2,000 setup to enjoy vinyl. The Audio-Technica LP60X runs about $250 in Australia and sounds perfectly fine for someone starting out. Pair it with a decent pair of powered speakers — Edifier makes solid ones for under $150 — and you’re sorted.

Upgrade later when you know what you actually want. I’ve seen too many beginners drop $1,500 on gear before they own ten records. That’s backwards.

Learn to Read Condition Grades

This will save you money and heartache. When buying used vinyl, condition matters enormously. Learn the Goldmine grading standard:

• Mint (M): Unplayed. Still sealed, ideally.
• Near Mint (NM): Played carefully, looks and sounds perfect.
• Very Good Plus (VG+): Light marks but plays with minimal surface noise.
• Very Good (VG): Visible wear, some surface noise but still enjoyable.

Anything below VG is generally not worth buying unless it’s something incredibly rare and you just want it on the shelf.

Build Around What You Love

The collections I admire most aren’t the ones with the highest Discogs value. They’re the ones where every record tells a story. Maybe you love Australian post-punk — build from there. Maybe you’re into jazz — start with the Blue Note reissues and branch out.

My own collection started with three records: The Saints’ (I’m) Stranded, The Birthday Party’s Prayers on Fire, and a beat-up copy of Radio Birdman’s Radios Appear. Everything else grew from those roots.

Don’t Fall for Hype

Coloured vinyl, picture discs, limited editions with fancy gatefolds — they’re fun, but they’re not essential. A standard black pressing of a great album will sound better than most gimmick releases, and it’ll cost less too.

Buy what you’ll listen to. That’s the whole secret.