Digging tips

[united states of audio]

Looks like I may be meeting someone who reportedly has a garage full of several thousand 7"s, many of them Funk and Soul. Now I know this is gonna be a task digging through this lot, and will take a long time to get through, but has anyone got any tips to make the best of my time there?

[Matt Hero]

Well I could tell you, but it would be far easier for me to show you in person at said garage

[vibra]

What he said. Hook us up with this guy and we'll do a little reccy action, scope it on out for you..

[theeman]

If you're in the London area, you can hire people to do the digging for you. They come equipped with portables, spare batteries and a stack of PVC record bags. You just say 'seek' and find yourself a local boozer to hole up in for a day or so.

I know one of them very well indeed, and apparently his rates are very reasonable.

[Belson]

Quote[/b] (theeman @ Dec. 18 2003,11:23)]If you're in the London area, you can hire people to do the digging for you. They come equipped with portables, spare batteries and a stack of PVC record bags. You just say 'seek' and find yourself a local boozer to hole up in for a day or so.

I know one of them very well indeed, and apparently his rates are very reasonable.

Thanks for the recommendation, Ed.

Yeah, I'm still managing to keep my rates reasonable. And with January usually being a quiet month, I'm ready to go.

[theeman]

seek!

[Nick Cope]

My tip to you is to thank your lucky stars every four minutes and touch portable needle to wax three times per side, you only need to hear a second for each touch to know if the tune is, wait for it, WACK! - come get me Ed, let's 'av it!

[sermad]

I try and sort the 7's into labels first then attack them that way. Certain labels for me get me looking - President is one. Very easy to spot. Jam would be another.

When I needle drop I do the intro - look for a quite bit that might be some sort of hoofing break and needle drop a couple more on the way out. Sometimes just letting them play while sorting out the others is nice.

[bongolia]

i usually ignore, or leave till last, boxes that look to be full of picture sleeves - in the UK, chances are that it will be crap 80s pop

[bongolia]

that probably isn't relevant here, but useful in charities and bargain boxes at record fairs

[Matt Hero]

Don't forget to play 'Funk Bingo' while you're going through the 45s..... 'Strut', 'Chicken', 'Popcorn' etc. Any other suggestions ?

Somewhere out there must be a 45 called 'Popcorn Chicken Strut' which is the best Funk 45 ever.

[theeman]

also anything from the late 60s and 70s with 'groove' and 'rock' as the final word of the title.

check out the major websites for funk and soul records, and make a list of record label names. if you've got access to a computer, bung it into excel and sort alphabetically.

do the same thing with artists. take want lists, other peoples' want lists, major funk dealer lists etc.

it's useful to check out pics of label scans on peoples' sites too, so you get to recognise labels immediately from the layout and colour without having to spend time trying to read the writing.

most importantly just relax and take your time. if you find something good, you'll be made up. if you miss something good, you'll never know. can't lose!

[united states of audio]

nice one guys!

Matt, Funk bingo! This is pretty much what I do anyway, just look at the style of the label, date and names of the tracks - found some great stuff this way.

yeah, I think having some lists and names in my head would help. I'll let you know how I get on in due course...

[Blighty]

Eat properly and dress warmly. That's mum type advice that will serve you well.

[bongolia]

also remember where you're up to and what you've already done!