What "New Records" Means at Dusty Groove — and How New Differs from Used

Updated

At Dusty Groove, "New Records" means brand-new, unplayed stock: newly released titles and reissues in formats like LP, CD, and 45. It sits alongside the store's separate used sections (Used LPs, Used CDs, Used 12-inch, Used 7-inch, Used Books). If you want a sealed, current pressing or a fresh reissue, shop the new side; if you want an original or out-of-print copy, shop the used side. The store describes itself as "Chicago's Online Record Store" and says it adds "100s of new titles added daily," so the new inventory turns over constantly.

What counts as a "new record" here

New stock generally falls into two groups:

  • New releases — current albums and singles, listed under sections like New Arrivals, Just Released, and Coming Soon.
  • Reissues and repressings — older music issued again on new vinyl or CD. The page evidence shows an example: Booker Ervin's Structurally Sound offered as a "180 gram pressing," a reissue rather than an original.

Both are new product. "New" describes condition and pressing, not the era of the music. A 1970s album can appear as a new record if it has been reissued.

How new and used are organized on the site

Dusty Groove separates the two at the menu level, which is the fastest way to tell them apart:

New Records Used Records
Where it lives New Arrivals, Just Released, Coming Soon, plus genre menus Used Items, Used LPs, Used CDs, Used 12-inch, Used 7-inch, Used Books
Condition Unplayed, new stock Second-hand, condition varies by copy
Stock Often repeatable while in print; can sell out or go out of print Usually one copy per listing
Formats LP, CD, 45, and more Mainly LPs, CDs, 12-inch, 7-inch

The practical consequence: a used listing is typically a single copy, so if it sells, it's gone. A new listing can be restocked while the title stays in print — but it can also disappear if the pressing sells out.

Finding new records by genre and format

The catalog is organized by both genre and format, so you can narrow quickly:

  • Genres include Soul, Jazz, Funky 45's, Hip Hop, Neo Soul, House, Deep Funk, Brazil, Latin, Reggae, Global Grooves, Rock, Blues, Gospel, Classical, and more.
  • Formats include LP, CD, 45, 12-inch, cassettes, 78 RPM, 8-tracks, and reel-to-reels.

To browse new stock in a specific style, start from the genre menu and look for the new-release and new-arrival entry points rather than the "Used" entries. The site notes that JavaScript and style sheets are required for it to function correctly, so if menus don't respond, that's the first thing to check.

Buying notes worth knowing

  • Reissue quality varies. A "180 gram pressing" signals a heavier vinyl reissue, but weight alone doesn't guarantee sound. Check the label and pressing details in the listing.
  • Coming Soon vs. in stock. Titles listed as Coming Soon aren't available to ship yet; New Arrivals and Just Released are the in-stock new sections.
  • New can still sell out. Popular reissues and limited pressings can go out of print, after which the only copies left may be used.
  • Used is where originals live. If you specifically want a first pressing or an out-of-print edition, the used sections are the place to look, and condition will vary copy by copy.

Selling to Dusty Groove

The store also buys: "We buy new and used LPs, 45s, vinyl records, and CDs," and states it pays top prices for older jazz, soul, funk, hip hop, and other genres in good shape. So the new/used split matters on both sides — you can buy new stock and sell used records back.

In short: choose New Records when you want a sealed current release or reissue with repeatable availability, and Used when you want an original or out-of-print copy. The two are kept in separate sections, so the menu itself tells you which side you're shopping.