Hidden Gem for Vinyl Record Collectors: Som Records

Jaden Foreman
Feb 15, 2024
2 min read

1843 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009 United States

Som Records is a record store in Washington, D.C. that sells rare, new, used, and imported records. If you are looking for a record store that has a great curated collection, Som Records is the store for you!

Som Records has a variety of vinyls including:

-12 Inch single vinyl's

-Reggae

-Hip-Hop

-R&B/Soul

-Pop Rock & Classic Rock

-Pop

-Old records you might not find anywhere else

Som Records' prices vary depending on the vinyl but some can be on the pricey side. If you are buying your first vinyl, I recommend doing your research so that you are not overpaying for a vinyl that can be found cheaper elsewhere.

Reviews

*Som Records is worth a visit, here are some reviews from other customers*

"Some might mistaken this business as another typical record store. While it might mirror similarities with the others, Som Records just feels more inviting than most record stores I have visited! I might be biased from their diverse selection and an owner who is also very friendly and passionate about the product they carry. This isn’t a store that wants $100 for a used vinyl but it is also a place that has rare vinyls for the avid collectors. I am really glad we spent time out of our day to come check Som out and the only regret is wishing we had more time to look around."

"Probably the best record store in DC area. Good location, store employees are always super helpful and knowledgeable. Plenty of variety for everyone’s tastes. Feels and looks like a record store should."

"smallish but well curated selection with good service and pricing."

Great store. Eclectic collection which was pretty surprising. More used than new so prices are good. The owner was helpful and friendly!

*Reviews from the web*

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/372f39_3e55ef6a2c6c4724af0f9a7b78a2615d/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Advice For Shopping At Som Records

Do Your Research collecting records is an expensive hobby, so do your research so that you know you received the best possible deal for what you are buying. *make sure you are not overpaying for used vinyl's*
Inspect Everything You Are Intending To Buy A good portion of Som Records collection is used. Make sure the vinyl is in reasonable condition (meaning no scratches, warping, extreme damage to sleeve, etc)
Look Out For Rare Vinyls Make sure you are not passing up any rare *and expensive* Vinyls. You never know how much it could be worth in the future. *but also don't spend an absurd amount of money on rare vinyls, especially if you are not a collector*
Not Many Recent Albums There are not many recent albums available at this store, and the one's that are, can be very pricey. I personally recommend looking for newer albums somewhere else. *this hidden gem is for finding rare vinyls (but new and many other vinyls can still be found here)*