#14: The Plural Of Vinyl Is Vinyl
The 10 Commandments of Record Store Shopping
Happy Friday, everyone. We got a nice spring preview here in the Hudson Valley this week so that’s got the spirits up. I tend to play less records when the weather is good and warm as the mountains and woods call but it’s also a great time for road tripping to hit some new spots.
I’ve begun planning out the very first Ambient Audiophile compilation. This will be all vinyl-sourced jams available only to paying subs. If you are one of those, let me know if you would prefer a digital folder or want a full-on CD-R with art and stuff. I’m leaning toward the latter but if heads don’t want the phsysical , we’ll keep it ethereal.
This week’s episode of The Trailhead was fun as I revisited a couple of classic krautrock pieces that fit in well with this bonkers new Jeffrey Alexander + Heavy Lidders jam that is a subscriber-only Bandcamp release. We also heard some heavy textural bass and sonics from DFA and Peak Oil, killer modern jazz from Steph Richards on Northern Spy, some lovely drone ‘n’ strum from Aural Canyon and a whole lot more. Check the playlist below and jam the show here. You can now send a tip through Mixcloud or
The Trailhead 126 / Playlist:
1. Lake Mary & Pinyonpine - A Rumour of Breaking Lilac - It’s Okay, You Can Open Your Eyes Now (Aural Canyon, 2023)
2. Nakayama Munetoshi - Insect Wings - Compass for Nychif (Salmon Universe, 2024)
3. Shakali - Juoluat - Rihmastossa (Not Not Fun, 2024)
4. Naum Gabo - Aora - F. Lux (DFA Records, 2024)
5. Wrecked Lightship - Sounding Bodies - Antiposition (Peak Oil, 2024)
6. Steph Richards - Power Vibe - Power Vibe (Northern Spy, 2024)
7. Krokodil - The Creator Has a Master Plan - The Psychedelic Tapes (Second Battle, 2005)
8. Faust - Läuft... Heisst Das Es Läuft Oder Es Kommt Bald... Läuft - Faust IV (Virgin, 1973)
9. Jeffrey Alexander + The Heavy Lidders - Plastistone Circle - Planet Lidders (Self/Bandcamp Subscriber Exclusive, 2024)
10. Amon Düül II - Yeti (Improvisation) - Yeti (Liberty, 1970)
Last weekend I got a chance to hit a couple record shops in and around my old Brooklyn/Queens stomping grounds. I was able to hit Human Head Records (who had moved to a new, bigger space since I was last there pre-pandemic) and the new Ridgewood spot 690 Woodward Garage. The latter was indeed once a garage but now is a sweet hang zone with complete with great records (a ECM section!) and a pair of resplendent Klipschorns driven pure American tuber power via a Dynaco amplifier.
This day of catching up and vibing out had me thinking back to all the amazing friendships and connections I made in record shops over the years as a customer and a worker. I had more great experiences than bad in shops but I have seen how the interpersonal dynamics in a shop can sometimes be fraught with anxious peril and overworked and underpaid annoyance.
So i thought I’d pass along some of the unwritten standards we might keep in mind when record shopping, understanding that the people who own and run record shops are usually just as nerdy and needy as we are.
Don’t mention the “D” word. Ever.
Saw that copy of a second pressing stereo copy of Absolutely Free cheaper on Discogs? Awesome. Keep it to yourself. The person behind the counter (or whoever did the pricing) surely researched the prices before you did and they don’t want to hear it. The better move would be to keep your mouth shut, and buy the online copy later or pick up the one in front of your face and delight in the fact that your supporting a small business in the best way possible (shops don’t make a whole lot selling new records, used is how most stay afloat).
Don’t Hog the Listening Station
Honestly, a record shop that has at least 50 percent used inventory MUST have a listening station or two. I’d be highly suspect of a place not offering this and I wouldn’t make an attempt to come back to one of these freak show, out-of-touch spots. That said, when you bring your pile up the horrifically mangled, maligned and manhandled public turntable and headphone setup, drop the needle on a few spots on each side of each record and move on. Now is not the time to try and connect with Tales of Topographic Oceans.
You Can Haggle But Take No For An Answer
This one is touchy. We all want to buy all the records as cheaply as possible (see #1) but let’s remember the record selling game is not a money making game and the owner is likely as addicted as you are. If you’re buying one record under 30 dollars, don’t try to get the price down unless it’s been sitting there for over 10 years (most shops have a month/year code on the sticker on used stock). I did this recently and was gunned down. I took my lumps and moved on, understanding that I was probably the 20th asshole to try and pull that shit over the weekend. If you have a big stack and your looking at over 100 bucks, totally try for break but don’t be a sore loser and not buy anything if you’re denied. You had the good sense and privilege to be in a record store for a couple hours, inspecting the pieces and having a good time so be cool.
The Record Store Is Not a Place for Photo Shoots (Unless You Pay)
This is likely not going to apply to any of my regular readers but maybe some wannabe influencer is out there, thinking about jumping into vinyls to up their TikTok clout checking this out. Well, just don’t do it. The people working there are likely unbathed and/or hungover from the night before, the other customers don’t want their significant others or moms see them cruising for more 80s shoulder pad jazz and you just look silly holding up a Bon Jovi record you have no intention of buying. You’re from New Jersey. It’s ok. Have a walk around, half-heartedly limp wrist through a couple bins and leave and go get that 15 dollar latte that you really left the house for.
Don’t DM a Shop to Hold Something When That Shop Asks Not to DM to Hold Something
Look, we’re happy you took your stimulus check and became a vinyl expert in 2020. We really are. But the world of records exists in a three-dimensional plane and shops that post records for in-store sale only are doing it so you can unglue yourself from the couch, get some much-needed Vitamin D and get in there and miss out on it in person. Be zen about records, if it was meant to be, you will find that massively overrated and overpriced sub-Deep Purple private press heavy rock record again. Don’t spam the inbox of a shop across the country you’ve never been to trying to get your friend’s mom’s co-worker’s third cousin’s childhood friend to come grab it for you. Because even if thast happened, you’d cry about it being off condition anyway. Don’t lie.
When You’re Selling Records to the Shop, Understand You’re Not Getting Top Dollar
Most seasoned record vets get this but maybe someone out there is reading this who just learned about vinyls from watching some garbage reality television. A good shop is going to pay you at least a third of the price the record will sell for in the shop. Higher priced items get closer to fifty percent but you are not going to walk into a record shop with your dearly beloved recently departed great aunt’s collection of show tunes and walk out in a new tax bracket. Every record shop in the world had someone coming in or calling today about a “really high end” and “priceless” collection they want to sell that is complete garbage. Discogs, eBay and Popsike are amazing resources but it takes time and experience to use them correctly. If you want more money for your records, try selling them yourself. End of story.
Ask Questions
Dig that neverending noodly jam being played in the shop? Don’t Shazam it, walk your ass over to the counter and ask what’s playing. Be a person communicating to another person and maybe, just maybe make a new friend or acquaintance. No algorithm in the world can beat music nerds sharing space with each other and talking passionately about jams. Being cool and friendly to the people working in the shop will help you find more music, get better deals and make their day a whole lot better. This is probably one of three jobs they have if they live in a city where people want to be. There’s nothing better than walking into a shop and having them pull a record out saying they thought of you when it came in and that you would dig it.
Don’t Vinylsplain
Look, it’s great that you’re in the top 10 of monthly posters on the Steve Hoffman forum. We’re proud of you. Just keep the know-it-all attitude out of the record shop. Bring interesting information you’ve learned to bear in a conversation when applicable but don’t try and one-up other customers or people working there with your knowledge of pre-Soviet Union vacuum tubes. There’s a time and a place for that and that’s late at night and on the internet.
Don’t Bring Your Crosley Turntable In to Be Fixed
It’s not your fault you were born after the Strokes first album came out and we all need to start somewhere, but please, for the sake of everyone, take that thing and throw it in the garbage before even considering having it repaired. It has already done irreversible damage to your favorite Mumford & Sons LP and it needs to go. What you can do is go ask for recommendations on a good starter turntable/amp setup and maybe even test some things as a lot of record stores are starting to stock decent entry level units from the likes of Pro-Ject and Audio Technica.
Don’t Come In, Ask for One Title and Leave After You’ve Been Told They Don’t Have It
I mean. Really? Sure there have been times I walk into a shop with a title or artist or two I’m specifically interested in finding but the act of unwanting is what brings the best new music in your life. Clear your mind of Robert Ludwig Zeppelins masters, Monarch pressings and Butcher Covers and let different and more interesting music come into your life as you slowly and methodically browse every bin, floor pile, milk crate, and inch of wall space. If you walk out of a record shop without a sore back or filthy knees, you didn’t do it right.
I vote for physical media, always!
all great standards! here's one for you. If I sell vinyl and have a credit at a shop. is it fair to use that credit during RSD? I'm not sure if that's considered poor form.