Discs and Deals

This is an annotative guide to local used-CD establishments. It makes no pretense at inclusiveness, but is merely a random sampling. And Smokey Robinson’s mama was right all those years ago when she said, “You better shop around.”

* Auditory Odyssey, 6338 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood (762-0266). One of the high-dollar places to sell your CDs--they pay up to a fiver for used CDs, obviously not Michael Bolton or Winger. They have a good selection that can cost from an affordable 20 cents up to $10. They also carry cassettes and all sorts of other stuff.

* Colours & Sounds, 7013 Reseda Blvd., Reseda (996-8999). Not only are the Dead not dead, but they’re not even sick at this place, which specializes in the soundtracks for the tie-dyed set. A serious head shop, too, with lots of rude and hilarious posters.

* db cooper’s Wholesale Music Exchange, 1724 W. Verdugo Ave., Burbank (563-2222). Probably the most happening used-CD location in Burbank with a wide selection, including many boxed sets that few could afford when they were new. Also vinyl.

* Green Hell Records, 14551 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks (784-5127). Mostly punk stuff. Oh, and rude patches for the strategic holes in those jeans.

* Heavy Rotation, 12354 Ventura Blvd., Studio City (769-8882). Business is booming at this place, and owner Peter Coplon has a mailing list that once a month offers customers two bucks off CDs. Plenty of promos, and the stock is changing daily. Also used video games. Hey, I’m happy. I found a CD by Popsicko--a cool Santa Barbara band that disbanded after the singer was killed in a car crash a few months ago--for $6.

* Moby Disc 14622 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks (990-2970). A huge selection, including lots of promotional copies. The setting, with ambience seemingly by Dow Jones, is corporate. Another location is in Canoga Park.

* Odds & Sods, 7033 Reseda Blvd., Reseda (345-2995). Mostly vinyl, but there are a few hundred CDs in this dusty little dive. If they actually played the raging punk/rap CD by Cypress Hill, it would probably melt half the vinyl.

* The Record Trader, 7321 Reseda Blvd., Reseda (708-0632). This is the used arm of Tempo, a chain that sells new stuff. Anyway, this place is jumping. Not only used CDs, but used videos and used cassettes. Used CDs by crummy, unknown or unloved artists can be as cheap as three for a buck. And there’s nothing wrong with a Tom Petty CD for four bucks, either.

* The Wherehouse (they’re everywhere). Sure they have all the new stuff, plus cassettes and video rentals, but they’ve been in the used-CD business for a few years as well. No haggling over buying prices, however. No matter what you tell them, Milli Vanilli won’t net $5. Call 1-800-WHEREHOUSE to find a location near you.