For the vinyl enthusiasts

Most of the worthwhile, used LP shops in the DFW area are now gone. In Dallas, the most worthy LP shop for new, indie releases on vinyl: Good Records on lower Greenville Avenue. There are two other stores with extensive collections for used vinyl but they are overpriced IMHO. You might also visit the Half Price Books store on Northwest Highway. Sometimes it will have a few gems for a reasonable price.

Here is a tip: if you are in Southern California, do not miss Lou's Records in Encinitas. It is one of my favorite stores in the USA. Reasonably priced, high quality used vinyl. Just be prepared to while away 1/2 a day, looking for those used LP gems.

By the way, any Las Vegas residents here? I am traveling there next week and will have approximately 6 hours to shop for used/new LPs. However, I will be staying at a central location on the strip without a car. I do not mind taking a cab, please just post what the approximate fare would be.

Many thanks,
M

If you're In Toronto, check these places out:

Rotate This (Queen & Bathurst)- Mostly new and some used vinyl with an emphasis on ROCK and a selection of jazz, R&B, reggae, etc. Very cool and helpful staff.

Slinky Music (Queen & Spadina)- Mostly new and some used vinyl with an emphasis on dance floor friendly music and a choice selection of hip hop, R&B, jazz, reggae, etc. Very cool and helpful staff.

Play De Record (Yonge & Dundas)- Definitely a DJ shop, but with a choice selection of new jazz, soul, funk and rock with a dance floor friendly vibe. These guys source out some really cool, obscure stuff, that I will never see anywhere else. Very cool and helpful staff.

Criminal Records (Queen & Spadina- across from Slinky Music). These guys have the best prices in the city for rock and a small amount of jazz. Very enthusiastic staff.

BTW, these shops are not all catering to audiophile types, so vinyl gets opened and handled, so you can sample the wares before you purchase it. Just ask at the counter before you open any sealed vinyl as policies vary from place to place and you may find the staff not so cool and helpful after you open something you shouldn't have. If the copy's sealed, they may have it on CD for a listen.

For strictly used stock, check these out:

Vortex (Yonge & Eglinton)
She Said Boom
Babel (Queen & Ossington)
There's several shops between Rotate This and Slinky Music, that makes for a nice walk and digging session.

Enjoy.

Spin More Records in Kent, Ohio.

Thanks, Soundwatts!