Pittsburgh's $3-a-pop vinyl treasure trove

Jerry's looks small on the outside...

(Credit: Paul DiComo)

I keep hearing about how the LP is having a comeback, and that's great, but Jerry's Records has been keeping the faith for more than thirty-three years selling used vinyl in Pittsburgh, PA. I spoke with Jerry (Weber) himself last week to learn more about his shop.

It's a big place, with 13,000 square feet filled with LPs and there's a 16,000 square foot off-site warehouse with even more stuff. Jerry says 70 to 80 percent of his inventory is priced around $3. So clearly, he's not dealing in the rarities or the collector market, no, Jerry just likes selling vinyl. In fact, he never sold new vinyl. BTW, the store doesn't buy, sell or play CDs, Jerry's is all-analog, all the time.

But it's BIG on the inside

(Credit: Paul DiComo)

Jerry buys 2,000 to 5,000 LPs a week, cleans each one, and puts them in new plastic inner sleeves. Scratched and beat up records are weeded out, packed in boxes of 100 and given away for free. Sounds like good fodder for vinyl art or sculpture.

There's tonnage of $3-a-pop rock, jazz, blues, country, bluegrass, gospel, E-Z listening, Latin, soul, funk, R&B, folk, comedy, soundtracks, etc. Jerry said, "It looks like I'm going to be the last man standing (selling affordable used LPs), a lot of guys don't want to sell the $3 records anymore. I want people to come here and look at records, that's what it's all about."

Need a turntable, cassette deck or speakers?

(Credit: Paul DiComo)

Jerry says if you really love music and don't have a turntable you're missing out. I agree. So if you're in the neighborhood, drop by Jerry's Records at 2136 Murray Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, or phone: [phone]. Jerry also auctions LPs from his website, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on "View Auctions."

Thanks go out to my friend Paul for shooting the photos.

[thundert00th]

3$ for a record?
now we're talkin :D

[John72953]

There's a place in my town like that. Not quite as large, but he must have at least 30,000 - 40,000 used Lp's (I'm guessing here). All his stock is in the basement and it's a real grungy place. But over the years I've picked up several $3-$5 gems and I still go in from time to time. And when I do, I usually spend several hours browsing. Nothing better on a Saturday morning, with a fresh coffee in hand, and wax nostalgic!

[sleepysurf]

Hah! I lived in Pittsburgh from 1986-89, within walking distance of Jerry's, when it was a little hole-in-the-wall storefront, open only a few hours a day! Those were the days of Wayne Greene's CD Review mag, and a fellow "audiophile neophyte" and I used to browse the incoming boxes at Jerry's for great finds. I left Pittsburgh in 1989, and assumed that Jerry's was long-gone! What a pleasant surprise to read that Jerry's is alive and well! You made my day!

[pubmat]

Vinyl stinks....give it up you wanna be snobs.