Our story on the cassette tape resurgence is here.
The Hardware:
Starting your own tape collection can be difficult if you don’t have the means to play the media. Finding a working, reliable cassette tape player can be a difficult task, but Hunter Moore, a veteran of cassette tape collecting, says the best place to start is your local record store.
“A lot of label websites and a lot of record shops around town will have information about where you can pick up a tape player, a Walkman or a boombox,” said Moore. “Record store clerks, pretentious as they can be, are often the most knowledgeable people when it comes to those sort of things. So don’t be scared of your local record store clerk.”
If you can’t find a quality used sound system, Urban Outfitters offers a boombox complete with a cassette player. You can also pick up various new models at Best Buy or Amazon for $30.
The Music:
Tapes might be coming back into vogue, but it can still be difficult to find used cassettes that were well cared for and still sound great. A good place to start is thrift shops around town, but specialty record stores may be your best bet.
“If you’re looking to start a tape collection, support your local businesses,” said Moore. “If you’re in Eugene, go to House of Records, go to Missing Time Records or visit some indie label websites.”
House of Records and Missing Time sell a variety of cassettes at a low cost. You can even find newer releases there, like Awolnation’s latest album Run or Muse’s Drones for less than their CD or LP counterparts.
The Maintenance:
Now that you’ve started your collection, let the good vibes and nostalgia wash over you. But play with caution, because tapes involve careful handling and active listening.
“Tapes are kind of easy to mess up or break,” said Moore. “But as long as you care for the stuff that you buy and like, it’s an inexpensive way to go about collecting. If you didn’t want to hop on the vinyl train, then cassettes are the way to go.”
Congratulations, you’ve started a tape collection. You’re a certified hipster.
Follow Shelby Chapman on Twitter @ShelbyEm15.