So, I've been b*tching for years about how I need a record player to play all those records I've been picking up at second-hand shops or stole from my mom. A few months ago I finally got a record player and then realized I didn't have enough good vinyl to fully enjoy my new player, seriously the soundtrack to Love Story wasn't cutting it. So I went on a mission to find me some classic jazz albums and maybe a little Sam Cooke or Chuck Berry. What did I find at Record Surplus? Not only did I find a greatest hits collection of Sam Cooke for $2.98, but also Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Goode for $1.98, a great Ella Fitzgerald sings Gershwin complete with Bernard Buffet cover art, and a slew of Mexican import records by Chavela Vargas. This is my new favorite place. Forget digging through tijuana brass and show tunes at the thrift! I would recommend stopping by on an afternoon when you have nothing else to do, so that you can fully appreciate the vinyl selection and take some time to check out the 92 cent section in the attic. Oh, and they have a bathroom. This is key for someone with a small bladder like mine. It allows me to stick around and shop for a bit, unlike some bigger stores (Amoeba, I'm lookin' at you.) They are called Record Surplus, so they only have a modest section of used CDs and DVDs. They have a pretty extensive collection of jazz, soul, classic rock, and country albums. They also have an small international section and a few rows devoted to male and female vocalists. Most albums are under $10, unless you happen to find a rarity or pick something out of their collectibles section. Great shop, highly recommended. Oh, and parking doesn't seem to be too hard to find on Sunday afternoons. read more

My favorite record store in LA! Though incomparable with Amoeba in terms of selection and size, I much prefer this place for a number of reasons. To me, shopping for records is an experience. I value my vinyl explorations as much as I value the entire experience of playing music on a record player. I like that the store is very well organized yet spacious enough. Ambiance wise, it's very laid back and not as busy/rushed as Amoeba. I also usually enjoy the store's music selection, which is great. They always have new stuff and every time I go back (usually one every fortnight) there's always more to explore. Their inventory is also very diverse, in my opinion. I always manage to find something that I like or am intrigued by. Price wise, they are unbeatable. Even the $1 vinyls play without any problems. I've had a few bad experiences at Amoeba with their unplayable clearance section vinyls but I've never had any here so far. I absolutely love hidden gems at the attic section here. You'll never know what you find :) The staff members are always incredibly helpful and friendly, so I always enjoy coming here! I'm sure people will too, if they give this place a chance. read more

Record stores are quickly becoming a dying breed here in LA especially with Amoeba music wiping out most of the competition these days. This is a good spot for all you vinyl enthusiasts, and would-be-DJs. Perfect for the crate digger who really knows his jazz and r&b, they have a nice assortment. Although the hiphop section is not the best, you can usually find a few new releases for half the price or less of a new copy. There are also lots of used CD's you can sift through. If that isn't enough they have a whole upstairs area with records for 99 cents and under, just make sure you have time to dig through it all because its a lot. There's a couple of listening stations too which is nice to make sure your shit ain't scratched. read more

My dad and I have been making monthly trips to Record Surplus for at least 15 years. For some reason, we do not refer to it as "Record Surplus", we call it "The Last Record Store" -- which is actually its subtitle/slogan. Record Surplus: The Last Record Store. Pretty much my entire record collection comes from here, which is great because every record comes in a handy dandy protective sleeve! Over the years, I've collected everything from the Beatles to obscure surf rock to Trini Lopez. (Even better, I've heard all of these things playing in the store!) Whenever I walk in, I naturally gravitate toward the Beatles bin first, then work my way back. My dad geeks out like crazy in the attic, because he just has such a diverse taste in music that he can always find something he likes. For me, the attic is hit-or-miss. But always worth a quick scope out since everything there is 92 cents (or 3 for 92 cents during their frequent super sales!). Speaking of 92 cents, I love how everything is priced so that it rounds up to the nearest dollar when they add on the tax! I wish every place did that. The guys here are super good at mental math because of this. The staff here is definitely awesome, and they also buy your used stuff for good prices! My boyfriend sold pretty much his entire CD collection and he was super happy with what they gave him for it. read more

Anybody that considers themselves an ardent admirer of serious music must make the trip out to Santa Monica and pay a visit to record Surplus. Their section for serious music is not very large. But what their selection may lack in size, it amply makes amends for in quality. Rare CDs of music by Shchedrin, Kabalevsky, and Herrmann? Oh they got it all right - and how! Their selection of records too is very choice. What more can you ask for? Perhaps a branch in Highland Park? Ah, to dream... It takes a lot for me to drag myself out to anywhere remotely close to the grotesque dystopia that is the westside. But Record Surplus' treasures quickly make me forget the insane drivers and congested traffic I have to fight through coming and going. And if it can weave that sort of spell on me, than I know for certain that this is one hell of a record store! read more

I've been coming here since I moved to L.A. in 2000. This truly is the "Last Record Store" on the Westside since House of Records on Pico closed a few years back. I don't think it's fair to compare this place to Amoeba in Hollywood: they are 2 totally different animals. Record Surplus is where I go when I have at least an hour or so free to browse the .92 cent CD area: I always find a CD or 2 to add to my collection. Here's what I walked out of there with today: * a 4-disc Virgin Records sampler that contains basically every hit single Virgin released between '87-'97 - there's over 4 hours of music on this! * R.E.M.'s "Murmur" (I've had this on vinyl since high school, but for a buck, why not?) * Hindu Love Gods - R.E.M. side project with Warren Zevon [R.I.P.] * soundtrack to "Dancer in the Dark" with Bjork. All of the above for a $5 bill!? Come on kids, this is a steal. You get 5 compressed MP3 files on iTunes for that much, NOT over 6 hours of music! If you're looking to add some music to your collection at bargain prices, this, in addition to Soundsations near LAX, is the place to come. They're moving to Centinela and Santa Monica Blvd this month -- glad these guys are keeping the torch burning for those of us who like browsing and owning physical music. EDIT 5/19/14: Second Spin in Santa Monica has CLOSED. There are a few new upstarts like Touch Vinyl around the corner from the NuArt Theater and Timewarp on Venice Blvd. I'm not slamming those stores, but I predict they won't be around longer than a year or two more. So yeah, this is the "last record store" on the West Side. My other recommendation for vinyl is Soundsations near LAX in Westchester -- see my review for them also. Also, here's a sampling of my last haul from Record Surplus: * DJ Shadow: "Live! In Tune and On Time" DVD/CD package - in pristine condition for $4.50 (this was probably at least $20 when originally released in 2004 * Sigor Ros: "Takk" - a great release from this Iceland band that I missed back in 2005 * And some vinyl stuff...always get something good here! read more

This really is the last great independent record store. With so much music these days downloaded (either legally or not) or still purchased at larger chains like Virgin or even Amoeba, nearly all of the truly great record stores in LA have vanished. Quick count: Pennylane, Aaron's, Rhino, Streetlight, Pyramid, House of Records, Moby Disc... Precious few remain, and among them the best is still Record Surplus. Brass tacks: the selection is not as consistent or as large as even someplace like Second Spin, let alone a store like Amoeba, but this store is unlike either of those. It truly is something special. With an inventory in constant flux and prices as low as a buck for a multitude of rarities in their attic, it is damn near impossible to leave without having picked something up. Got your $4 DVD of "Stand By Me"? Check. How about your $6 vinyl copy of Laurie Anderson's interview session for "Mr. Heartbreak"? Check. Now... what did you snag in the attic? Oh, a laserdisc copy of "Jurassic Park"? For a dollar, you say? My word! It goes beyond bargains, though. There is such a sense of personality and community about the store. And the staff, while alternately knowledgeable and baffled, is nonetheless NEVER pretentious or rude, which is far more than I can say for the staff at Amoeba. Next time you're in the mood to hit the record shop, consider skipping the usual place and swing into Record Surplus. Who knows how much longer the world will have places like this. read more

This place was a lot better when it was on Pico near Barrington. The staff is rude and the selection stinks. read more

Came in with a friend yesterday. We both agreed if this was the, "last record shop", we would be bummed. Tons of records and a huge shop, but the prices were too high for either of us to want to come back. read more

If you are a vinyl record collector like I am, this place is pretty good. While you may not find what you are looking for right away, this is one of those types of stores you come back every once in a while to find that once in a while gem. They keep getting new stock as it comes in, so selection of records changes over time. The place is rather small actually for a record store, but it has enough. Mostly customers here are browsing through the CDs and DVDs, but for me, I beeline straight for the records. They have a decent selection of mostly older material, and sometimes a newer record if they get it, as it is mostly all used stock. Personally, I've never seen a smaller alternative rock / punk section than this. Like, probably only a milkcrates worth of material. But I actually found some pretty good newer punk rock that I totally did not expect to find. So like I said, once in a while you may find some gems you would not normally expect to find, it depends on your timing and luck. Classical and jazz sections are legit, but you won't find anything mindblowing necessarily. Prices are very fair, and you can find some pretty good deals. Definitely worth trips for collectors, but not so much for those that are looking for newer material or something specific. But it's still great to browse through if you have an interest in music at the very least. read more

I really enjoyed this establishment, they offer a wide selection of records and cd's along with some good blu-ray movies. I was in here for some sound effects on vinyl, they have just about everything. From time to time they sell used record players to that they fix in house, along with high-end new models. read more

Wonderful store. Wonderful selection. Wonderful prices. Wonderful staff. Everything about this place rules. Here is my experience at RS in a nutshell: A few months back I came in looking for a specific release of a popular 80's album that I hadn't been able to locate anywhere else except online. The album was also in great condition. To my surprise, RS had the album at a price lower than the online marketplace I'd found it at. When I arrived to make my purchase, the clerk at the counter asked if I wanted to listen for quality at a station so I did. While I was listening the clerk returned with another copy of the album from the back with a sleeve in even better condition at a similar, low price. I left the store with a great album, in great condition, at a great price all complimented by great service. If that doesn't sell ya on the place I'm not sure what will. read more

I love "Record Surplus" because it reminds me of my days in Seattle back in high school. It's sad that it's hard to find a store to sift through records and CDs to find hidden gems at bargain prices. "Record Surplus" is that place. Sure, Amoeba Music is massive, but it's in Hollywood and even though it's a great independent record shop, it isn't the most personal shopping experience. At "Record Surplus", the owners take the time to have a conversation with you. Plus, they have racks of 90 cent used CDs where you can find the most amazing albums! Highly recommended! read more

I didn't know there is such a nice record store around the favorite part of LA I frequent all these year. Plenty of vocal and jazz. Wonderful place to hang out pick up a few before head for some of the best Japanese cuisine on Sawtelle. However I did not see any original Bluenote RVG, Prestige, Decca ED1 & 2. They must be hiding those from the general public! read more

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This store has high quality cds, Dvds, records, box sets and memorabilia all at very reasonable prices. The great part is that you do not have to go to Amoeba records to get a great deal. Shop staff are friend and you can play all records and cds before purchasing them. read more

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This place is HUGE. i went in to find a few specific records, and even though i only found a couple, i also left with some OTHER amazing finds. this is the kind of place you go in there with an hour or two to spend sifting to find some awesome stuff, but never come out with everything from that list you wrote earlier. that's pretty much what i did. it's still a million times better than going to a stupid thrift store and after a half hour only finding one album you kinda want but not really, but you think you do because it's only a dollar. the prices are great for a specialized record store. and their restrooms are cute with labels "guys" and "dolls" thank God for their restrooms, i didn't want to leave but had to pee SO BAD! i LOVE that they have multiple listening stations! this place rules, i cant wait to go back and widen my record collection. read more

Record Surplus is a pretty good store that is prominently advertised on the front of the building, but each time I passed it I wondered what old CDs I might want to look for here. Today you can buy digital music without too much filler, and save money. And that causes a dilemma for record shops. However, there is still a variety of good music and DVDs available at places like this one. I most recently went here on a hunch after I had tried to find a television series on Amazon. It was either sold-out, not listed, or the sellers had issues. But I got the idea to look here for the TV series I had been seeking. I browsed for a while and felt like 'Oh, well', but then I found exactly what I was looking for! And it was about the same price as what one would find on Amazon, but without the shipping cost and postponed gratitude, delayed enjoyment, etc. I would recommend trading or selling some of those old television series sets that you might have with no plans of really watching again. Some series are popular, I know, since I traded in a season of one and hoped to find a different season later. But that didn't happen. I know there are lots of boxed sets of Charles in Charge, Martin, Grey's Anatomy, etc, etc, etc, etc, that people have no plans of watching again. So trade them at a record shop, give some good karma, etc. read more

I've been shopping for vinyl since well before Amoeba came to town, and this place remains one of my stalwarts. The best: Whatever the price of the record you're buying, you can be sure that's exactly what it oughta cost -- or less. I've gotten so much good stuff here for cheap (or at least cheaper than I'd seen at other stores) I can't even list them all. Important also to mention the multiple listening stations. Also good: I've only sold stuff here once, but I got quite a bit more than I expected in cash/credit. Love the late hours. I'm mostly into hippie music, but for a mainstream store, there's a surprising amount of well-organized classical, children's and novelty stuff. The only knock against it: No "recent arrivals" bin makes it hard to come in and browse frequently without a wishlist. Not a whole lot of new stuff if that's your thing. read more

Record Surplus carries one of the most complete and most amazing selections of used vinyl LPs and CDs in all of Los Angeles. You can easily spend hours and hours browsing through the extensive selection of used LPs and CDs and you will almost certainly find something you like...and the prices are truly reasonable as well. read more

Back up to five well-deserved stars. Their dollar bins in the "attic" are now truly remarkable. What I said about "curated" product applies; these bins are now full of good-to-great copies of standard rock repertoire items. If you wanted to start building a library of fun cheap vinyls, this would absolutely be the place to start. Came away with an armload of two dozen worthwhile goodies. RS is different--and possibly better than ever. PS - they DO have a public bathroom. It's behind the counter but not obvious. Just ask... read more

HUGE selection of vinyl, with several listening stations. Super nice and helpful staff, especially Neil who helped guide me through a selection of music that I would like. They sell turntables sometimes as well, new (Music Hall) and used. There is also a large section of $1 vinyls if you're into that. Well organized too.I often spend hours here perusing through their selection. Parking lot in back, or meter, or residential read more

This place is perfect for a gal like me! Tons of old school records (vinyls). Not much on the new music side as far as vinyl. Parking is pretty easy to find, but I went on a Sunday. read more

With Amoeba, the MUST-GO place for a great selection of vinyls, and CDs! Ok, the selection is not as huge as Amoeba, but price wise, Records Surplus is way more competitive! read more

Record Surplus - The store - Music & DVDs Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I highly recommend this store to buy used CDs for cheap. They have mostly vinyls but they have a decent CD selection. Not as big but much more reasonable prices than Amoeba. The most expensive CD I found was 7 bucks but mostly around the $5 range. They have a 92 cent CD section where we found jems like Jamiroquai, The Three Tenors. In the regular section we found the new N.E.R.D cd for 5 bucks. I found some nice Latin Jazz CDs for under 5 bucks. There's several listening stations you can test run CDs at. They have a used/new DVD section where I found the first season of Twin Peaks! Lots of TV show DVD season sets like Ugly Betty, Sex & The City, Grey's Anatomy, The Simpsons, Cheers, under $30. There's even a small video game section with Playstation and XBOX games. read more

Hands down, my Favorite store for Vinyl now. They have a huge selection, and a great marked down 97-cent section on the second floor. I was able to find a couple of gems, but what I really like about the store, besides the selection is the fact that they don't gauge you. The prices are reasonable for what they consider collectors items. Ask for Neal. read more

I came here on Record Store Day 2013. For the size it has a pretty decent selection, but it is definitely skewed towards Oldies. They don't carry as many new vinyl releases as say, Amoeba. That said, it is probably the best record store on the West Side, and will do in a pinch if you don't feel like driving all the way to Hollywood. read more

I have to say that the place has gotten even better since the move from Pico Blvd. The amount of music and related material is awesome. The people who work in this fine establishment are highly knowledgeable and very polite, no matter what question you might ask them. I highly recommend coming here and buying lots of stuff. It's always priced way below any other store. read more

I stopped by Record Surplus today, without knowing what to expect. I hoped it would be a happy medium, between Amoeba and Best Buy / iTunes. Well, the place is more a one-off than anything else. THEY HAVE A LOT OF VINYL, and a good-size selection in general. The people I dealt with and overheard dealing with other customers seemed knowledgeable about their stock - which is damn important in places like this. They have makeshift listening stations straight out of middle school so you can check your CD, vinyl, or 45 before purchasing it. Honestly, I liked the isht out of this place. Funky and a vacuum, no, a black hole for pretense. Still, the selection is heavy on classical, john denver, jazz, et cetera. This is not the joint for updating your collection with slightly used hits of the last 10 years. This place is better suited to your mom, your dad, or your grandparents (or DJs looking for crazy inspiration on vinyl). Cool joint, not what I needed or was looking for. But I might pop back in if I get jones for tunes from childhood summer car trips, circa 1980. read more

This is my go to place for movies. I am not a record person, but they have a extensive collection of DVDs and Blu Rays! Everything is organized, and categorized, which is helpful if you're looking for a specific movie. The prices are great, cheaper then most places. They also have a 1$ movie section, which I always end up buying a few movies from. They also have a great selection of Blu rays and the prices are reasonable for them. Excellent workers, who are very helpful when need be. This place is awesome, and will forever be the place I buy my movies at! read more

If you're looking for a tremendous variety of records, look no further. Record Surplus sells top quality records (and CD's) of all genres, pricing is ALWAYS more than fair, and the staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. I love that they're open till 10pm most nights, so that allows me time to get home from work, shower, eat, and still get out to shop for records. They also carry supplies like paper inner sleeves and plastic outer sleeves, and even used turntables at times! Don't be afraid to browse their "Attic" (now located on the same floor because of the layout of their current location). You'll find CD's and records in more than acceptable condition, all for $1! Sure, they might not have made the cut to be placed with their regular product, but they're still nicer than most stuff you'd find at a garage sale. The selections are clean and play very well despite (occasional) minor surface blemishes. For anyone on the west side, Record Surplus is essential for music lovers. Even if you're not on the west side, Record Surplus is worth traveling to. By the way, they also have a great selection of DVD's if you've grown tired of Netflix. I have a friend who likes to go with me specifically to this store just for the movies. read more

A few weeks ago I took a look and discovered I'd bought something like 2,000 bargain CDs from Record Surplus over the past dozen years or more. That was at about $1 each. This doesn't count the vinyl and cassettes in the same general price range. Nor does it count the classical vinyl they sometimes leave outside the entrance for adoption, as it were (the prize was an unplayed, near-complete DGG Beethoven Bicentennial set), FOR FREE. The staff are super friendly and helpful. The non bargain selection is good, but not comprehensive, like Amoeba. But on the other hand, there are superb restrooms, unlike Amoeba. And if you want to make your own music, across the street there's a pretty good sheet music (and piano) store. My only complaint is that I've had to cut my weekly visits because I'm running out of CD space. read more

The store space and organization are both great, such as the employees. Though the selection is huge and nice, the prices are much higher than most of LA's record stores. Definitely a to go spot, but beware of your pockets. PS hurray for listening stations read more

I am new to the vinyl world. Went to this place today. Found some good stuff. Their prices are no better or worse than any other. So why am I giving this place a poor rating? This happened... I found an album I wanted but it had no price sticker on it. I took it to the counter and asked how much it was. The guy behind the counter stumbles over his words. First, he says "oh because it has some scratches on it." Then he says "oh 'he' (whoever that is) might have wanted to keep this for himself and it accidentally is on the floor. Sorry, it is not for sale." That's pretty shitty. I mean, you sell records. That's what you do. If something is not for sale, how did it end up out there, alphabetically, in a sleeve? With all the stores in town, I won't go back. read more

Finding a record store is always a plus. They are a dying breed and I happen to be an old fashioned gal that thinks nothings better on a sunny CA afternoon than listening to a vinyl while I work in my garden or read a good book. MP3s and CDs just don't do it sometimes. Hearing the thump of the need and the light static of an old record takes me back to childhood and is still one of my favorite ways to reminisce. I was really excited to check this record store out now that I live on the west side. Amoeba was formerly my go-to, but I can't see myself driving to H-Wood often for record shopping. Record Surplus has a pretty nice selection and definitely has some good deals. Some stuff is pricey, but if you are willing to take your time and look around I think you'll find some steals. My most recent visit I got 7 records for around $30. Can't beat it! read more

This can't be the only record store you visit, but it's a record store you should visit. Used vinyl and used CDs are the draw here. Like most used stores, you might not find what you were looking for, but this store definitely has that "Hey, that looks cool" factor. I've seen record company exec's browsing the aisles here, disproving the criticism that all of them hate music. They do sell a handful of new CD releases at prices lower than Tower, Virgin, or Amoeba. Sign up for their emails to get word of their even deeper discount sales. The upstairs has far more trash than treasure, and I'm not sure if it's still a dumping ground for screener VHS and DVDs like it was, but there are some interesting finds up there. I'm sure someone is interested in amateurish aerobics videos from 1985. Hell, they're probably stopped reading and are out the door right now. Fair Warning: I'm not sure why this particular stretch of street seems to draw meter maids in large numbers, but you WILL get a ticket if you park one minute after the meter expires. A $30 ticket sort of eats into the money you just saved. read more

Being a music lover, I came here on a whim after ending my day early and was in the area. The first time I came here, I spent a good hour in here being enthralled by the reggae and funk section, going through record by record. My mouth literally formed an "O" when I came across oldies that I grew up with and loved (and still love). Because there's typically not a large number of people here, you can occupy the record players for far longer than their 5 minute limit, so do so. It's a joy to go through the records and listen to them song after song. I walked out and grinned from ear to ear over my cheap finds. I returned a second time just to give another look with no intentions of buying anything, but of course, I didn't walk out empty handed and spent more time here than expected. This time, I found the hip-hop and rap section (how come I didn't see it the first time?!), which of course, I drooled over because hip-hop and rap define my life. They have a number of sealed vinyl if you're looking for the unused stuff. Lots of Wu-Tang Clan and A Tribe Called Quest! And also a nice selection of female artists (that good ol' Janet Jackson) and there was also a number of artists I never heard of, but looked up on iTunes on my phone to preview their songs and thoroughly enjoyed everything I listened to. Take your time going through their selection, enjoy the wave of nostalgia it brings. I was able to snag a good number of vinyl for the DJ guy friend and was rather proud of my findings. The people who work here are very nice and they seem genuinely appreciative when you make a purchase. The cashier both times gave me compliments on the selections I made. Thanks man! read more

You can find SO much in the dollar section if you look. I shop there nearly exclusively every time I visit. Erroll Garner, Frank Sinatra, Mahalia Jackson, Nat Cole, Stan Kenton, Ray Charles, and so much more. And if you go the week after the big sales they have where records are 3 or 6 for a dollar, they will usually have milk crates of free LPs at the doorstep to pick up. Found Ahmad Jamal's "Live at the Pershing" in one of these free bins- the essence of space in jazz. If only they had a tip jar. All of us who like vinyl are grateful for these folks. read more

Noble is something else. His name says it all. What a great person. Helpful, knowledgeable, courteous, but most importantly humble. He was patient and thorough. Thank you for your help today my friend and I WILL see you soon. PS: I listened to the entire Bob Marley album and everything sounded flawless. God bless. read more

One of my favorites.... Off Pico in Los Angeles, It kinda has an Amoeba-Type vibe to it. But not too many hipsters like Amoeba. This place definitely have a huge surplus of records. It is really big, and has all-types of genres, I tend to hit up the Soul and some rock sections. But whats unique about this place is the attic, which is upstais, and everything is priced at .92 cents. I found some gems in the attic. They also have several listening stations where you try before you buy. Its definitely worth the drive to Santa Monica. Hit up Record Surplus read more

*ATTENTION* Record Surplus will be moving to a new location at the end of July 2011. Their new address is: 12436 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90025 Record Surplus has a huge selection of used/new vinyl at very affordable prices. I'd say a quarter of my records came from Record Surplus. Can't wait to check out their new location. read more