VINYL RECORDS - WHERE TO FIND MUSIC (PT 4)
In this article we’ll explore some different place to buy vinyl.
1. Thrift stores
Supposedly, people find good and even rare records at thrift stores. They must be going to different stores than me because all I can find is cast recordings of old broadway shows, light classical favorites, and Mitch Miller sing-alongs. Thrift stores, of course, are not record stores so you might find yourself crouched between some old blenders and used leggings as you assess their offerings. Thrift stores are also not going to have any record players set up so you may want to bring a portable turntable if you’re digging for gold.
2. Record Stores
Obviously a good place to get records. I have the advantage of being in New York so I have a ton of stores to choose from. Not surprisingly, each store may have an area it’s strong at. Fatbeats in Manhattan is known as a great hip hop source for DJs (particularly singles on 12”). Guess what type of music “Dance Tracks” has in scads. I go to a great little store on 5th avenue and 9th street in Park Slope, Brooklyn that has tons of Motown, particularly on 45s. The main advantage of record stores is that they usually have a turntable or two hooked up with headphones. This is a huge plus: you can spend literally hours learning about all kinds of music. You can also make sure that a record plays through properly. Chat with the clerks and see what’s new or what they might recommend in a certain genre. Record stores also like to carry reissues – instead of paying $30 for an original copy of Pete Rock and CL Smooth’s 12 inch classic “T.R.O.Y (They Reminise Over You),” I got it for $5.99. It wasn’t a perfect pressing (a common problem with reissues) but I got the record I wanted. However, there are two downsides to shopping at record stores. First, buying from a record store tends to be more expensive than other places you could find vinyl. Second, I’ve noticed a bad trend in record stores: selling shrink-wrapped used records either explicitly or implicitly as new. Not are you paying a premium for a record, you’re losing the chance to audition the record to see if it plays properly. I haven’t figured out if record stores are to blame or if the stores are unknowingly buying “new” records from unscrupulous sellers but this needs to stop! Don’t be afraid to ask a record store about their return policy before you buy.
3. Yard Sales / Garage Sales
This is my all-time favorite way to buy records. The records are usually dirt-cheap. You also can learn by getting part of someone’s personal collection. So if someone has 6 great records you know and love, maybe the other 4 records they are selling are also excellent. Strike up a conversation with the person selling the records and ask questions about what they’re offering. Even if you don’t see any records at a yard sale, it never hurts to ask. I’ve had people say “Oh, I didn’t even think of putting out my records!” Of course you won’t be able to audition the records at the sale so be sure to visually inspect them and haggle accordingly.
4. Internet purchases
Sometimes if you’re looking for a particular record, buying on the internet is the best way to get it. Dustygrooves.com is brilliant for used vinyl sales; their prices are reasonable and their reviews are excellent. If you are looking to buy from a particular label, check out the label’s website and see what they have to offer. I have made good purchases on ebay as well. There’s a grading scale for used records – anything VG+ (very good plus) or better should be just fine for listening.
That’s it for now. If anyone knows of other good locations to buy records, post it in the comments. Next time I go over some different vinyl formats.
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