12" vs 7"

[nowherefast944]

I've just started collecting Smiths and Morrissey on vinyl. I've got 2 12" and a few 7" original pressing singles as well as the Education in Reverse LP and the Handsome Devils LP bootleg.

Is there a difference in rarity if the 7 ad 12" singles? I obviously want to eventually have everything (I wish). I'd rather not overpay for a 12" when a 7" of the same song is much more difficult to find.

Any help would be appreciated!

[Kewpie]

I've just started collecting Smiths and Morrissey on vinyl. I've got 2 12" and a few 7" original pressing singles as well as the Education in Reverse LP and the Handsome Devils LP bootleg.

Is there a difference in rarity if the 7 ad 12" singles? I obviously want to eventually have everything (I wish). I'd rather not overpay for a 12" when a 7" of the same song is much more difficult to find.

Any help would be appreciated!

Your question is very vague, but the following link might be helpful:

http://compsoc.man.ac.uk/%7Emoz/
Click The Smiths/Morrissey FAQ and you'll find Records FAQ.

[nowherefast944]

that's not really much help.

I'm simply asking if the 7" singles are more or less difficult to find than the 12" singles.

[Walkers Crisp]

As for the Smiths rarities, I'd recommend you get the Record Collector, issue 311 from June 2005 where you can find the 100 most sought after Smiths rarities (7", 12" and CDs). I don't think its 100 % reliable, as the market is pretty volatile, but it serves as a good guideline.

Regarding Moz stuff, you can check this thread:

http://forums.morrissey-solo.com/showthread.php?t=75325

(Oops i just saw there is a smiths list on there as well, thanks beau).

Being an "amateur" collector I've never collected on the basis of value - just the things i liked most and what was available at the time. I started off with the coloured German Smiths pressings, which are truly lovely and not too pricey, and "worked" my way through. It took me a while to find the 12 inch of Moz' "Roy's Keen" for example (paid 60 USD). I'm still on the lookout for a reasonably priced Smiths Australian "Ask" 12 inch.

Morrissey's "Sunny" and "Certain People I Know" regular 7 inches might not be valuable but quite hard to find. The "Satan Rejected My Soul" 7 inch always goes for a bit of money but isn't scarce at all - it's always flogged as "mispress" which it actually isnt. I'd say all the singles, 12" or 7", from the "Maladjusted" era are a bit overpriced.

And - you can spend a fortune on promos and white label test pressings.

Happy collecting,
-crsp-

[Walkers Crisp]

And not to forget, Stephane's website

http://www.passionsjustlikemine.com/

is the best reference for different versions, artwork etc. Simply indispensable for collectors.

[fridaynightinoutpatients]

I once recieved great advise from a Smiths/ Moz collectorand trader/seller. It is helpful to set a limit on what you are willing to spend on a record. I have been in some ridiculous bidding wars and paid alot of money for something I found cheaper down the line. Most records will eventually come around again. Good luck with your collecting!

[Midnight Cowboy]

i would say that it's expedient to focus on certain formats. it may take some time to find out what your favourite format is but it saves you some trouble. otherwise you would spend so much money without having any chance of completing your collection.
i've confined myself to collect smiths 7"s. it's a classic format, it's nostalgic, and the covers and the vinyl-colours are just beautiful. especially for a band like the smiths, who have released so many non-album singles, the 7" format is really interesting.

[fridaynightinoutpatients]

Yes! 7"s are more visually pleasing, handle better and are more nostalgic. If you focus solely on the the 7" format, you will obviously lose out on certain tracks (i.e. "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" etc.). You certainly will lose out if you plan on collecting Mozzer vinyl as well. Perhaps try not start focusing on a certain format in the beginning and eventually you will find what suits you. Actually, you will probably end up buying everything you find.

[Ordinary Mayo]

The answer is "depends on every item especially"
Collecting is not a "one rule thing"

The work to do is learning, learning, learning.
Read here, visit recommended pages, read magazins and watch ebay, as a really transparent market to get a feeling for what is rare and what not.

And you must do your own mistakes to learn and find out you preferences and your own max. prices.

To start, look out for lots on ebay to get a cheap basic stock, later on it truly went more expensive from all alone