Few record stores have the name recognition that Amoeba Music has. With 3 stores across California, this store has reached a near Mecca-like status for record collectors. But is it worthy of such high esteem? Well, yes. It’s widely recognized as one of the largest record stores in North America and possibly the largest independent record store in the US. It’s basically Disneyland for record collectors- complete with crowds of tourists and a wide selection of souvenirs.
What to Expect
Amoeba Music is big. There really isn’t a better word to describe it. The only record shop I have visited that even comes close to Amoeba’s size would be Denver’s Twist and Shout which is probably 2/3 the size of Amoeba.
If you are only interested in cozy, dark little record stores that smell like dust, then this shop is not for you. This is a shop you make a special trip to go to, rather than a neighborhood place you pop into after work. Part of the reason for this “special occasion” status is the location of the store itself. This baby is located right smack in the middle of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For the uninitiated, although this is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world, it is a place that anyone who has visited will tell you to avoid. The Walk of Fame doesn’t even have the tacky, commercialized charm that Las Vegas has managed to create for itself. There is almost nothing of redeeming value on this famous strip of Hollywood Boulevard. Almost nothing.
Once you step around the trash and dodge the people selling bootleg Dodgers merchandise and make your way through the double doors of Amoeba Music, your sense of wonder and awe will be rejuvenated.
Selection at Amoeba Music Hollywood
The size of the selection here can not be understated. The record selection itself makes up about half the interior space, with the other half of the store (which is roughly 4 times the size of a normal record shop) containing CDs, Cassettes, DVDs, T-shirts, Hi-fi equipment, and much more. Most of the records here are going to be new, but that’s still relative to the size of the shop. Even though used records make up far less than half of the stock here, the used record selection alone is still far bigger than most stores.
Genre-wise, this store is designed to do volume so don’t expect a particularly unique selection of records. The pop/rock section is obviously massive and takes up most of the store. But every genre is available here in abundance. The Hip-hop selection in particular is extremely well-stocked as well as the dedicated sections for punk and metal as well as soundtracks.
This is one of the only record stores that you can go to with a list of very specific albums you want and come out with most if not all of them. I found multiple records here that I have been looking for for ages. Not to say these records were necessarily rare but Amoeba is able to handle so much traffic that they are able to keep so many records on the shelves that smaller stores are simply not able to.
Unsurprisingly, the selection of rare records here is pretty hard to beat. The very best stuff is up on the walls throughout the store and, in some cases, behind the counter, and there is plenty of it. It’s common to see records for sale in the $500+ range. If you are grail hunting here, it is definitely worth it to ask employees about the ultra-rare stuff they have in stock.
Prices at Amoeba Music
If you worried about Amoeba using it’s reputation in the vinyl community as an excuse to rip people off you would be wrong. They don’t necessarily need to price things to move quickly here but expect to pay fair market value for new and used records alike.
My Thoughts on Amoeba Music
If you are not fortunate enough to have visited any Amoeba location, there is probably a part of you that is wondering if it’s really all worth the hype. In a word, yes. At least I think it is. It’s massive and a place that every record collector should check out at least once. Even if mega-stores aren’t really your vibe, you will almost certainly find something you have been hunting for.
Selection – 10/10
Prices – 8/10
Vibe -6/10
Records Purchased
The Holy Bible – Manic Street Preachers
Hasta La Raiz – Natalia La Fourcade
Address: 6200 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028