Since they were introduced in the late 1940s, vinyl records became and remain a popular way to listen to music. Meticulously created and enjoyed worldwide, Durango has some amazing local record shops to find your favorite LP or 45.
How are Vinyl Records Made?
Overly simplified, polyvinyl chloride (commonly known as PVC) is heated and pressed into predesigned stampers which hold the exact grooves engineered for the songs. Paper labels are also added into the press and after the excess is trimmed from the outside, the new record is cooled and ready for packaging. Originally solely made out of carbin-black PVC, today’s vinyl includes a variety of translucent, opaque, and tinted PVC that can even be used to create special effects like splatters, marble, swirls, and splits.
The record player itself has also come a long way from the late 1800s phonograph which was taken to the next level as a gramophone that introduced flat discs. As the record spins at the predetermined speed, the needle translates the grooves into sounds and naturally follows the album from the outside in.
The most popular vinyl record types are:
78s (colloquially named after their 78 RPM rate) were made of hard rubber and shelac before PVC records
12 inch long plays, the most popular records commonly known as LPs, typically are played at 33 ⅓ RPM and hold entire albums due to their large size and slower playing speed
7 inch singles, spun at 45 RPM (and therefore known as 45s), hold one song per side
Toast Records
Combining the love of music with the love of baking, Toast Records is a small shop in downtown Durango. They host a carefully curated selection of vinyl records as well as daily homemade baked goods.
Classified Records
A niche shop half a block off of Main Avenue, Classified Records hosts a wide range of LPs. Don’t miss out on new arrivals, used treasures, and the occasional free bin find!
Durango thrift stores are another fun place to find a record you’ve been searching for or one you never knew you needed. Whether you like to listen to music on your phone, CDs, tapes, the radio, vinyl record, 8-tracks, or live - Durango, CO has a bustling music scene with plenty of options to choose from.
