Vinyl Collector of the Day, Shawn Sambol

Today, we bring you a vinyl collector of the day feature with Shawn Sambol. Shawn resides in Clermont, Florida, and started collecting records by purchasing a copy of Nine Inch Nail’s triple LP, The Fragile, which he found at a lower price than the CD format of the same album. Shawn has since amassed a collection that has reached 300 copies. Read on as Shawn discusses his most prized records, records he would love to see pressed, colored variants, and what out of print records he would love to own.

Please click the link to read Shawn’s feature. Thanks Shawn for taking the time to answer our questions. If you are interested in submitting your own Vinyl Collector of the Day feature, answer the questions at this link.

VC: Your name and the city you live in.
Shawn Sambol, Clermont, FL

VC: Do you catalog your records online? Where are they? Are you on the VC Message board? What is your username?
I don’t catalog, at one point I was keeping a list in an excel file, but I was doing it from memory at work and gave up. I’m not on the VC message board, though I’ve been on as a lurker. I usually go by papashawn on any online forum.

VC: How many records do you own?
About 300.

VC: Why do you collect vinyl?
I love the size, the artwork, the colors, the rarity, and the sound. Plus I think its a worthwhile way to promote the bands.

VC: What was the first record you remember purchasing with your own money?
Nine Inch Nails’ The Fragile 3xLP. I paid less than the price of the CD, and I bought it about a week before the official release date. That thing goes for a ton on ebay now.

VC: What is your most prized record in your collection?
Either that copy of The Fragile, the Kylesa Static Tensions wood box, or my signed copy of Cave In’s Jupiter.

VC: What release would you like to see come out on vinyl that hasn’t yet been released?
Irepress’ Samus Octology, maudlin of the Well’s Bath & Leaving Your Body Map.

VC: What is the most you have spent for a record?
For a new album, $80 for Beck’s Odelay 4xLP, For a used single record, probably $45 for Dillinger Escape Plan’s Calculating Infinity.

VC: What out of print record would you kill to own?
Botch’s We Are The Romans on Orange/White swirl and Cane In’s Until Your Heart Stops on Blue and Orange.

VC: What are your thoughts on color variants? Do you collect any artists in particular?
I love colored vinyl! I always like getting in on a release from the very beginning to get a rarest color. Since I’ve started collecting, I’ve only ever wanted to get one copy of an album, and if I have the option, I get the rarest on most occasions, otherwise I go for whatever color I like best. I am a completist at heart, but I don’t have the funds to collect everything by most of the bands that I would collect, Converge, Coalesce, Isis. Too many releases.

VC: Do you sell or trade records?
Sure, I’ve sold a few through VC, a few on ebay. Never have traded, but I did buy a copy of Jesu’s Silver on clear from a friend for a great price.

VC: Your last 5 records that you purchased?
A bunch of Thou releases
Cynic – Re-Traced
Black Tusk – Taste the Sin
Howl – Full of Hell
Ludicra – Hollow Psalms