Dex Answers

Total Number Of Releases: (These are live numbers from the database)

Total Number Of Albums: 2177

Total Number Of Singles: 2344

Total Number Of Tracks: 43200

Total Number Of Artists: 6198

Total Number Of Record Labels: 1048

Total Number Of Releases on Dex's Discogs Wantlist / Wishlist: 0

(Please note, there may be multiple versions of a specific release included in this number. We only want to purchase one copy, but these are the pressings we would consider.)

This question technically has 2 answers ...

The Vinyl Vault Show started life as a 30 minute segment on a daily breakfast show that I used to present on 6 Towns Radio (Now 6TR). The segment started in February 2014.

The first full length Vinyl Vault Show was in June 2015 on Beartown Radio (A Station now off air).

I always class the anniversary of The Vinyl Vault Show as the fist time I used the segment, so February 2014 was the first show. Since then, the show has changed significantly, features have been tried, added and Yes, some have been discontinued.

What does "BEST" mean? Surely it is very subjective.

Which metric do we measure for "BEST"? Is it quality?, Is it a rare find?, Or maybe it's a record that has been on my wanted list for a long time?

I've had records from crate diving that fit into each of those categories, but to me, the "Best Crate Diving Find" is something unexpected, that has been found in a £ / $ / € xx.xx for 3 / 5 / 10 bin. I regularly dive in these bins, looking for a forgotten gem, a new (to me) artist or something that just catches my eye.

These are essentially the same question, and is a very hard category to name just one shop, either good or bad and to be honest with you, even though maybe I could, I wouldn't as what I like / dislike you might not like / dislike.

So below are my favourite stores to visit nationwide. Of course, I haven't managed to visit every Independent Record Store across the UK, let alone many in other parts of the world, so this list will no doubt change over time. The only fair way to list these is in alphabetical order.

Again, this is a question I could maybe answer, but for me to identify any specific sellers would be unfair on the thousands of sellers I have not shopped with, so I will decline again to be specific

I will however give some advice on choosing sellers.

My first choice is always a seller with a brick and mortar shop, even if I am not planning to shop at the store, I personally find it reassuring that I can call and speak to someone if the need arises.

Do NOT blindly believe the photographs of the item, the pictures that Discogs uses in the marketplace are the same images that they use in the library side of the website. Always check with the seller before purchase if you have any specific requirements.

Before you order, ensure that the seller actually has stock on hand, especially if you are buying a new, sealed record. I made the mistake once of not doing this, and the seller cancelled the order as it was not currently available from his wholesaler (and no I wont identify that seller either), I must say though that sellers who "Dropship" are in the minority.

Look at the sellers rating, and reviews, a good seller, will have a lot of positive feedback and ratings. Check for bad ratings, and challenges to them, if the reasoning that they are disputing feels genuine, go with your gut.

Read the item description carefully, especially the condition as these are again subjective, unless the condition is MINT, or NEW SEALED always expect the listed condition to be at the lower end of the grade listed.

I can't choose a "Favourite" record that I have in the Vinyl Vault, the reason being is that I am a very "Moody" listener, by that I mean, dependant on my mood, that decides what I listen too. That said, if you read my Post | Apocalypse Playlist, that has a few of my Regular Listens.