[DAS]

Well I’m looking to get “into” jingle collecting. So far, I’ve sat on the edge. My situation is that I have loads of mp3s of various TV and radio jingles and themes and things – some good stuff, but much of it picked from websites and stuff that’s been doing the rounds anyway.

So how do you get “into” jingle collecting? How do you get hold of those first CDs and MiniDiscs? Where does the circle start?! If you don’t have the stuff to give, what stuff do you get?

I’m talking in riddles now, but you get the general gist I hope!

[DavidHemsley]

I’m sure many will want to come on here and advise you to buy some of the many CD’s that are now available in abundance from various sources.

I suppose this is OK – but I wouldn’t call this collecting as such, certainly not how it used to be anyway.

In many respects the internet has taken the fun out of collecting, yet made it more open and interesting, with lots of excellent web sites up and running catering for the newbie and old-timer alike.

Nothing beats doing the ground work though, finding where, finding how, and getting that elusive package you’ve wanted for years.

If you’re really into the nostalgia side of jingles, try http://www.kenr.com – a great jingle shop from the world’s number 1 jingle guy.

And tread carefully – there are a few collectors out there that will shortchange you – want twice as much off you as you get off them.

JingleMad dot com will be strating a Web Of Trust soon – giving seals of approval to collectors that our staff has had dealings with in the past – more on this soon

In the meantime, I have my own take on collecting and the web that you can look at: http://www.jingleark.co.uk/intro.htm

[RjM]

Hi DAS, I too have been in exactly the same situation for the last three years, a massive MP3 collection, thanks to the excellent jingle audio sites out there (including this one), and some demo CD’s from EBay. But still I haven’t managed to crack in to this ‘exclusive’ club that is jingle swapping!

A few times now I thought I’d made it, once I sent some blank mini discs to a collector, paid return postage etc. Yet never heard from them again.(Although they have been known to post here)

I’m not looking for a list the size of most, just a few of my fave packages would be nice, anyway I too look forward to some advice from the pros.

[GrahamCollins]

My advice to the new guys is to try AMERICA. Use the web to find the sites of those stations that you know have a particular package you want and email the Station Manager asking for a dub and giving him/her the option of passing you onto someone else who might be interested in jingles at the station.

Now not everyone will reply – it’s a numbers game, but occasionally you will hit lucky and get a rapport going.

Honestly it works and you will eventually be sent a package that you can offer around to other collectors over here as a trade and then you’re in the circle ! 😉

[topcat]

Good Morning (in America, anyway):

The other members of the board have made some great suggestions on how to get started building your collection. I started back in the late sixties by asking for dubs of jingles from my fa-vo-rite radio station at the time. I was usually met with the arguement that the materials were copyrighted and it would violate their agreement to give me a dub. Well, by hook or crook I ended up getting dubs from either the master tapes or the carts. Now… that particular station calls me whenever they’re doing a retrospective weekend as they threw out the original tapes years ago. This leads to another discussion for another day about stations’ history being as important as their last rating book…. but I’ll save that.

I’ve also been fortunate to have made contacts and friends over the years with some great people in the business. …and many of them are still jingle collectors at heart themselves.

I would recommend you start by getting copies of the demo discs for the companies that interest you. Some companies offer these on CD for sale through their websites. Others allow you also to download them. While noone is really going to be interested in “trading” these, it will allow you to know what the materials are.

Once you know what you’re looking for, you’re in a better position to try to find copies. I can’t tell you how many people have asked me “Do you have any jingles for Wxxx?” — I say yes, and they say “Run me a copy of all of them.” I just tend to snicker and say no. Usually it’s some major market station like WLS in Chicago — whose materials span over several CDs. As a few can attest here, I try to be charitable to a point — but not to those who ask me for a dub of every tape that has passed through my hands. Christmas only comes once a year…!

Remember also… patience is a virtue. One jingle package I started looking for dubs of in 1968 I finally got in 1980. Some things will show up after you’ve given up on them…. and when you least expect it.

Lastly — be gracious. When someone gives you a copy of something, say thank you. Don’t start asking for dubs of everything else you can think of. Just last week, someone called me and asked me about a particular item. I arranged to get a copy of it for them. Instead of saying thank you, they started asking for additional items. I just ignored the request and made a mental note that the next time I volunteer something, there WILL be a price tag attached. Someone giving you a copy of an item takes time, effort and money. Respect all of these!!!

Okay… I’ve rambled on enough. I hope this was of some help to you… and others. Best of luck in your quest. Don’t forget to share the gems you find with others who are just starting out, too! We’ve all been there!

-TC

[Author]

Posts