How do you organize your collection?

[Steve Lefkowicz]

I organize my LP and CD collections fairly simply. I alphabetize by the most significant name on the record. Rock or “band” albums by the band name (in order of original release date), solo performances by the person’s last name, classical by composer except for opera which I do by title, as with movie soundtracks. Collections of various or multiple artists are sorted either by the most significant artist or in many cases by the album title.
With the classical records, after composer, I organize alphabetically by type (cantatas before concertos, before symphonies, and within a type by order (Symphony #1 before #2, etc).
I don’t separate by genre, label, or any other category.
I’ve done it this for close to 50 years. It works for me.
How to you organize your collection?

[Garth]

I Have 3 collections first is classical on the highest slots as I play it the least a-z sorted much as you do
Second is all other rock and blues standard pressings A-Z on the left side of the room
Third is the high end pressings and British first pressings mono stereo A-Z on the right side of the room
TT and gear in the middle . If there is a better way love to hear about it 4,000 plus Lps very little in CDs a Lot of DVDs and Blue ray filed by SI FI and other 100 to 500 not sure

[Rust]

What is this organize of which you speak? I've had to move a couple of times in the last few years and am now back in my house. Still haven't unpacked everything due to a serious lack of ambition and no significant other to nag things on and no intention of getting another.

[Johnny Vinyl]

I like to keep it simple and do like you. Some are combined...like WINGS. I file those with Paul McCartney, same for Crazy Horse...they're filed under Y with Neil Young. I keep Classical separate, but just lump them together as I only have a few. I file multiple artist compilations under V for Various and Soundtracks by move title.

[Steve Lefkowicz]

[astrotoy]

For classical, I do what all seriously crazy neurotic collectors do. For major labels it is by label and catalogue number. That is the bulk of my LP collection. For everything else it is in some alphabetical order (pop by artist, classical by composer, soundtracks/musicals by title.)

Larry

PS. That is why for serious collectors LSC1806, SXL2020, ASD299, etc are the most important identifiers!

[Dre_J]

For some reason I don't have room for more alphanumeric Identifiers.

I'm stuck on ones like: TMS320C6416, LM2940, 74HC245, ADV7123, 88E1111, and EP4CE115F29. Someone save me!

[Metamatic]

Like most people, strict alphabetical based on band . Except classical where they have their own if somewhat small section.

One positive step I took over the past 6 months was to catalog all my albums onto Discogs after using excel for many years. Excellent tool as well as having what your collectionis worth based on past sales - min, medium and high point values are given.
All now at the click of the mouse.

[Steve Lefkowicz]

I just started cataloging my LPs with the Discogs app. Once I'm done with them I'll do the CDs. I must have a lot of obscure records through, as about 20% of the records I've checked don't show up in Discogs yet.
Really surprised which of my LPs turned out to be valuable, and which weren't.

[Metamatic]

I hear you Steve. Quite a few I just added them to the closest discogs entry. After, its not like I am listing them to sell. OIf I do, I will actually create new entries for them. Luckily most recent releases you just scan and its added. cheers

[Johnny Vinyl]

I've finally started entering my vinyl at Discogs as well, although I'm slacking a bit and need to pick up the pace. I always try to find the entry that matches my matrix data, which makes the process a little more laborious, but overall I'm happy with it. I've come across some really nice surprises in terms of value.

[MylesBAstor]

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I don't see the problem.

[MylesBAstor]

I do a variation of Larry's scheme with three methods.

RCA and Mercury by catalog number eg. SR90xxx and on; RCA LSC 1806 and on. Rest of classical by composer.

Rock and jazz by artist.

Third group is what to do with these albums? Too few, or just don't have the energy to sort and file. Someday.

[david k]

I don't categorize or catalog anymore, initially the multiple moves saw to that but the unexpected result is that I'm now listening to more of my collection than ever before. We all have our favorites that we regularly reach for, looking for them in the giant mess I ended up discovering many wonderful records in my collection that I probably would have missed otherwise. Tried cataloging them into a database so I won't buy doubles, triples or more but alas life is too short and I'd rather listen than catalog!

david

[MylesBAstor]

I don't categorize or catalog anymore, initially the multiple moves saw to that but the unexpected result is that I'm now listening to more of my collection than ever before. We all have our favorites that we regularly reach for, looking for them in the giant mess I ended up discovering many wonderful records in my collection that I probably would have missed otherwise. Tried cataloging them into a database so I won't buy doubles, triples or more but alas life is too short and I'd rather listen than catalog!

david

Thanks for reminding me. I have one section on the shelf in my listening room reserved for reference/albums for reviewing purposes. They are in no particular order.

[jazdoc]

[Goheelz]

What works for me is alphabetical in two sections: classical in one zone, everything else in another. Discogs has become crucial for keeping track of what is on hand, although it takes a few weekends to get everything in the collection logged into the Discogs database.

Right now, I'm listening to the whole collection in alphabetical order. This'll take a while . . .

[Johnny Vinyl]

Gheez! Not sure if I have enough life left to listen to all of my vinyl and FLAC files. :P

[allenh]

I have 3 distinct separate sections: 1 for rock/pop, sorted alphabetically by first name. Solo artists will frequently get sorted by the band I associate them with (e.g, Stevie Nicks is sorted with Fleetwood Mac). The 2nd section is for classical and international, organized by label and then by catalog number within the label. The third section is audiophile/reference LPs, some by name (if I like the artist) but mostly by label (Mofi, DCC, AP, etc) across mostly rock/pop/jazz/folk genres. The CR Led Zep reissues go in this section while the PR/RL Led Zep pressings would go in the standard rock/pop section. Not the easiest sorting system, but that's how I think about my small but growing collection.

[astrotoy]

I also have my TAS SuperDisc collection (complete!) in separate area. Larry

[Garth]

Want to sell it

[Dre_J]

Are you sure about that Larry?