By Juan C. Ayllon MUNDELEIN, IL -- Most weekends, Merlin Hahn, 56, is either selling or rummaging through record bins at flea markets, seeking hidden vinyl gems. After returning home, he systematically cleans, evaluates, re-packs and crates his finds according to category -- VG+/Mint, VG+, VG, G+ and G. It’s an exhausting process, but it’s a labor of love. A fit and affable divorced father of four living in Mundelein, a northern suburb of Chicago, Hahn stays busy. He’s a substitute teacher at District 75 Mundelein, an actor and instructor at Improv Playhouse in nearby Libertyville, as well as a passionate collector and reseller of vinyl. Having been at it for decades, he brings a wealth of experience to bear on his business, On Demand Vinyl Wishlist and his online store on Discogs.com, Merlinhahn, where he has a 100 percent five star rating. (Editor’s Note: Hahn told me he’s considering changing platforms for hs online store). I meet him at his apartment after spotting his ad on Facebook. Numerous crates of vinyl sit on tables and the floor, crowding his living room, labeled according to category. We chat, thumb through the bins and listen to several selections. My first purchase, The Doors’ Absolutely Alive album, is a winner. Rated VG+, it sounds pristine and vivid playing on the Triangle Art Hathor turntable I’m currently reviewing. Soon I am back in his living room, going through the stacks and listening to selections playing on Merlin’s turntable. As a relative novice in the world of vinyl, I find it interesting when he mentions that the specific pressing plays a role in the valuation of vinyl. “The press of each record is a major determining factor of the value,” Hahn says, adding, “Together with the condition, of course!” Hahn employs the Goldmine Grading Guide standards (click here for more info) in vetting records, but in addition to cleaning and evaluating the vinyl and record covers, he listens to each album as part of his evaluation “It takes a lot of time,” he says, “But you see the results.” Over the course of conversation, he decides to advertise on Prairie Audio Man Cave and asks if I could host an online auction on his Facebook page, On Demand Vinyl Wish List, from my listening room. I am delighted to accommodate his requests. Live Auction Tuesday, July 9th at Prairie Audio Man Cave 6:00 PM |
ColumnistsJuan C. Ayllon Archives
March 2024
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