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Record Collector Rare Record Price Guide 2010; Am I expecting too much from it?
Topic Started: Feb 20 2010, 09:31 AM (481 Views)
Bondles
Level 1
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A few weeks ago, I bought the 2010 edition of the Record Collector Rare Record Price Guide to replace my 2008 edition. I was hoping that the, "The Beatles" listings would be significantly updated and enlarged for the 2010 edition but was disappointed that there was still no mention of album label variations that have been long established as being in existence (such as the extra 33 1/3 variation of the 3rd pressing of PPM); nor is there, in my opinion, appropriate mention of some well known printing errors, e.g. 'Domion' (in addition to the other errors) on the first stereo pressings of WTB.

Given that the RC-RRPG (sounds like a bit of military ordnance) is considered to be the bible of the larger record collecting community, for UK releases; and given that, The Beatles, are the name in the history of popular recorded music; and also given that the tome comes with a hefty price tag every two years, is my expectation that it include information that appears to be known to every Pop, Dick and Harry (I miss, The Topper ...or was it The Beezer!?) who flogs Beatle vinyl on Ebay, an unreasonable one?

Agree? Disagree?

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servi
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IMO the RC guide is virtually: 1) ebay is the medium that determines the price these days not what an editor of a price guide thinks, 2) very few pictures are present 3) there's extremely little info on label variations 4) there's trillions of records that probably no one is interested in while the major acts get just a few pages 5) it is incomplete, some releases for some mysterious reason are omitted 6) the guide is too expensive (hey, I rather spend that money on vinyl) 7) why do we need a price guide when we have the internet (ebay, popsike and many websites and forums by vinyl specialists).
I love RC magazine when it was still black and white, but nowadays I buy it about twice a year only. It just doesn't have the detailed information that I would like to see (matrix numbers, label variations, sleeve variations etc.)
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muffmasterh
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I am afraid too many people treat it as some kind of bible....it's just a handy reference book, there are too many errors in it I am afraid...
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Bondles
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Thanks for the opinions (which reflected my sentiments exactly). The authors are definitely stuck in the pre-Communication Revolution Age, which ended late last century.

How anyone can deny the influence and associated realities of Ebay is beyond the bounds of logic.

Thanks again for taking the time to comment.
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billstiggins
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TBH I think it's fine for what it is - a reference for a huge majority of all music releases since the 1950s. I'm sure we'd all appreciate a definitive Beatles-only guide, but we'd probably still spot inaccuracies and omissions - otherwise there wouldn't be a 'New Variations' section on this forum, would there? ;)

Although I collect Beatles records, I also collect a shedload of other stuff - and I find the RC guide an invaluable place to start.

As far as the realities of ebaY is concerned, we've all seen truly rare vinyl go for a song (like the Mint gold stereo PPM that sold for £150 and still gives me nightmares). Likewise, run-of-the-mill stuff that goes through the roof due to competing bidders. I once saw two identical auctions (not Beatles, but a new 7" release) finish within 5 seconds of each other - one went for ~£15, the second for the starting price of 99p. So what's the reality?

RC does, at least, pay attention to the trends (not the individual banner headline sales) and adjusts its prices accordingly.

And last of all, RC has been seduced into using false descriptions (RS 'Loud Cut' anyone?) based on anecdotal comments form collectors just like us. So who's to blame?

I have no particular axe to grind, but I constantly see RC being put down and I thinks it's a bit unjust. Issue #230 was what go me interested in the minutiae of Beatles collecting, after all - so I do owe them a debt of gratitude.

The comment from servi about the mag being better in the B&W days does strike a chord with me - I have written to their letters page, complaining of the triumph of style over substance ever since colour was introduced. Perhaps I miss the in-depth 60s articles & lament the inevitable 'Lady GaGa' discographies... OK, I'm a dinosaur.

And, absolutely finally, you can buy the RRPG for only 18 quid from Amazon...

:rolleyes:
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muffmasterh
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I'd rather spend my 18 quid on something useful lol ( ok - that's a bit unfair I admit ;-)
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