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Where to Buy/Sell Your Records
Where Do You Get Your Vinyl?Portland's party DJ weighs in on his hunt for fresh plates.
Name: DJ Gregarious Credits: You can find him every Friday at the Fez Ballroom spinning New Wave, '80s dance music with a sophisticated edge. For a more mellowed-out set, try Tuesday's at XV. Pick: Everyday Music, the Record Swap at the Eagles Lodge, Crossroads Records Reason: "I have two distinct methods for record shopping. The first and the most fun is what I will call the 'vinyl frontier.' This entails going through any shop's used records and stumbling upon a rare/obscure classic for minimal cost. The two best places for this are Everyday Music and the Record Swap held at the Eagles Lodge. The potential problem with EM is the employees usually pick through and snag the 'collectible' stuff. Granted, you will never find the soundtrack to Bedazzled or an Original Monks LP there, but recently I was blown away to prise away Sparks' rare first record for $2.90. At the Record Swap, you might pay a bit more per disc, but the scores are incredible. I bought Jobriath's self-titled LP there for a tidy sum. Discretion dictates I not disclose the buying price, as I might induce a rock 'n' roll suicide to anyone who has ever sought out this pivotal glam staple. "The second method I call 'vinyl destination.' This is where you go to find a specific, semi-readily available record that you must have. Crossroads Records is superb for this, as it comprises various dealers. They know eventually someone is going to wake up freaked out and think, 'Shit, I don't own a copy of the Stone Roses' first LP.' Even though they have you by the nads, you won't pay through the pee-pee, as the prices kick bootie. "By the way, don't go to any these places, cuz I want all the good stuff for myself." |
DOWNTOWNEVERYDAY MUSIC1313 W Burnside St., 274-0961, Buyback: As long as you have a valid photo ID. Description: Renovations are underway to transform this location into an even bigger used-music center. When finished, the store will occupy a whopping 11,000 square feet of prime West Burnside real estate. GROUND KONTROL610 SW 12th Ave., 796-9364, Buyback: Not anymore. Description: Doing away with buying used media, this vintage arcade will now carry a smaller, local selection of electronic 8-bit jams. JACKPOT RECORDS203 SW 9th Ave., 222-0990, Buyback: Jackpot pays more than other stores but is also more particular about what it buys. Description: Jackpot specializes in records, CDs and collectibles that they apparently glean from secret far-away sources. OZONE RECORDS UK2 NW 10th Ave., 227-1981, www.ozoneuk.com Buyback: Yes to CDs, vinyl, VHS, cassettes and rock T-shirts. Description: Ozone features foreign independent titles, gothic or some British sounds, plus a smidgen of most everything else. PLATINUM RECORDS104 SW 2nd Ave., 222-9166, Buyback: Not generally. Description: This place is more DJ supply than record store. 2ND AVENUE RECORDS400 SW 2nd Ave., 222-3783 Buyback: Buys CDs, records and even cassettes. Description: The collection is heavy on the vinyl and very strong in hip-hop, punk and metal. 360 VINYL.CD.GEAR214 NW Couch St., 224-3688, www.360vinyl.com Buyback: Mainly CDs and vinyl. Description: While an excellent source for underground hip-hop and downtempo drum and bass, 360 also sports house and trance. NORTHWESTMUSIC MILLENNIUM801 NW 23rd Ave., 248-0163, Buyback: Yes to CDs, DVDs and LPs. Description: Music Millennium carries a lot of every style, with a particular zeal for rock and jazz. Frequent in-store performances make this store a Northwest music center. REFLECTIONS IN TIME1114 NW 21st Ave., 223-7880 Buyback: Buys CDs, records and tapes with a collector's eye. Description: This store has called Northwest 21st home for some 16 years. Much of the stock is classic rock titles from the owner's personal collection. SOUTHWESTPOST HIP7868 SW Capitol Highway, 293-9125 Buyback: Yep. Description: This Multnomah Village shop doesn't sell any music for more than $10. You won't find hip-hop here, but if you dig jazz, blues, classic, world, country, folk or bluegrass, you'll be in heaven. NORTHMISSISSIPPI RECORDS4007 N Mississippi Ave., 282-2990 Buyback: Everything except CDs, including stereo equipment and cassettes. Description: From rock and punk to gospel and jazz, you can find titles from across the board. ONE LOVE RECORDS8714 N Lombard St., 283-5300 Buyback: If you've got something with soul. Description: Part record store and part recording studio, One Love loves all types of music. VINYL RESTING PLACE8332 N Lombard St., 247-9573, Buyback: Yes to CDs and vinyl. Description: Vinyl Resting Place has a nice niche of jazz, folk, blues and rock collectibles. NORTHEASTBELOW ZERO3532 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Buyback: Yes. Description: In this surprisingly large store, you can find any sort of odd or end--records, books, CDs, videos, toys, posters, comics--and probably a good conversation to boot. BRICKWALL RECORDS704 NE Dekum St., 240-1758, www. Buyback: Will buy CDs but specializes in vinyl. Description: Brickwall harbors a definite love for punk rock, and it shows. EVERYDAY MUSIC1931 NE Sandy Blvd., 239-7610, Buyback: As long as you have a valid photo ID. Description: Northeast's Everyday Music is a lot like the downtown store--but with a parking lot. JUMP JUMP MUSIC7005 NE Prescott St., 284-4828, www.jumpjump.com Buyback: Strictly vinyl. Description: Jump Jump provides DJs and producers with soulful cuts to sample. Most interaction is by appointment only here. OZONE RECORDS 03701 E Burnside St., 227-1975, www.o3records.com Buyback: Buys records, CDs and DVDs. Description: This record shop has underground rock, hip-hop, jazz and electronic titles. SCARY MONSTER MUSIC2407 NE Alberta St., 282-6608 Buyback: Buys CDs and vinyl. Description: This Northeast store has a wildly varied inventory of titles. SOUTHEASTCHAOS EXISTENCE4827 SE Division St., 234-7267, Buyback: Check the website for info. Description: The store is open by appointment only, but the website is open all the time. CLASSICAL MILLENNIUM3144 E Burnside St., 231-8909, Buyback: Yep, assuming it's classical music. Description: Classical Millennium specializes in (you guessed it) classical music. CROSSROADS MUSIC3130 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 232-1767, www.xro.com Buyback: Happy to look at everything but only buys the gems. Description: Crossroads consists of tables operated by more than 35 separate sellers. The vinyl is tops here, with a lot of great old soul and rock plates. DISCOURAGE ROCK AND ROLL1737 SE Morrison St., 528-1093, Buyback: Buys mainly vinyl. Description: The Discourage collection is mostly vinyl and focused on rare punk records with some electronic, noise, pop and metal thrown in. FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH RECORDS5924 SE 47th Ave., 777-3900, Buyback: Buys many types of used media. Description: After 28 years in Beaverton, FWIW moved its import-heavy inventory to Southeast. The store, complete with smoke shop, specializes in hunting down out-of-print titles. GREEN NOISE RECORDS2615 SE Clinton St., 736-0909, Buyback: Buys indie CDs and vinyl. Description: This shop features independent rock, punk, garage and even hip-hop and electronica. HIGH VOLTAGE MUSIC2929 SE Powell Blvd., Suite 2, 239-7694 Buyback: Buys everything except tapes. Description: High Voltage carries titles at every end of the music spectrum in vinyl, CD and even some tapes. JACKPOT RECORDS3736 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 239-7561, www.jackpotrecords.com Buyback: Pays more than other stores but is also more particular about what it buys. Description: Jackpot on Hawthorne is a more indie-focused version of the downtown sister store. MUSIC MILLENNIUM3158 E Burnside St., 231-8926, Buyback: Buys CDs, DVDs and LPs. Description: The Music Millennium empire was born on the east side more than 30 years ago, making it the oldest running record shop in the Northwest. NIGHT OWL RECORD SWAP4904 SE Hawthorne Blvd, 284-4828, www.3fmvinyl.com/nightowl Buyback: Grab a cheap table to sell your collection. Description: Twice a year, the Night Owl draws about 40 collectors and their bounty to the Eagles Lodge from 5 to 9 pm. For a $1 cover fee, you can swap some records while DJs rock the vinyl and everyone has a good time over music, snacks and drink. The Night Owl kicks to life next on May 15, with a follow-up in September. Q IS FOR CHOIR2510 SE Clinton St., 235-9678 Buyback: Buys CDs and records. Description: This worker-owned record shop has a diverse catalog that continues to branch out from its punk-rock roots. REVERB3623 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 736-9110 Buyback: Buys CDs and vinyl. Description: Reverb's catalog covers a wide swath of musical territory. It also carries musical gear and accessories. SONIC RECOLLECTIONS2701 SE Belmont St., 236-3050, www.sonicrec.com Buyback: Mainly records, but also CDs and even reel-to-reel tapes. Description: Sonic Recollections prides itself on unusual titles, from "How to Sew" to John Wayne records. TIMBUKTUNES WORLD MUSIC4726 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 239-0179 Buyback: Just CDs, no vinyl. Description: A world-music extravaganza, Timbuktunes has a category from most places on earth. |
