DEADWAX

Lots of fun, I recommend you go and check it out! Give yourself some time, as his record collection is extensive!

True, they don’t have the inventory of new releases that stores like Reckless or Laurie’s do, but Deadwax has hands down the best $ 1 vinyl bin in Chicago — a ton of classic records and guilty pleasure possibilities that can’t be beat price-​wise.

Three good $ 1 vinyl finds, and I would have bought more if I’d let myself. Friendly counterman, too, who didn’t judge me for my cheapskate purchases.

While the owner is so nice, and we want this record store to be amazing, it just isn’t. Used vinyl is overpriced and the new inventory is small and irrelevant. Worth stopping in, if passing by, but not a destination to travel for.

Deadwax. Thanks for being awesome. I went here for the first time on record store day. It wasn’t super crowded and there wasn’t media coverage. It’s a small store. They don’t have a huge collection of new music but that’s okay. Record stores shouldn’t be like fye right? I found some great records and got a free bowie album just cause the owner is super nice. You heard it, a bunch of fun, nice people work here who will make YOU feel like the judgmental asshole.

Very cool record store. We got about 10 albums out of the 50 cent bin… all in amazing shape. You won’t find much new stuff here, but it has a ton of really awesome classics. The owner was very friendly and helpful.

Not only do they sell vinyl, but they also sell exceptionally reasonable record players and receivers. Who knew?! Also, the owner is amazing and super helpful. AND friendly! While the record collection isn’t really up my alley, this place is definitely a find and worth a stroll through.

One of the best of a dying breed, Deadwax has an incredible selection of LP’s, CD’s and DVD’s. I love coming here to browse around, and I think it’s a pretty safe bet that I never have, or will, left empty handed.
One of my favorite things about this place is the absence of those snooty hipster types you’ll find crawling all over places like Reckless. You know, the ones with such superior knowledge that they can’t be bothered to help us mortals.
The owner works here, definitely knows his shit and is more than willing to strike up a friendly conversation.

One of the best of the last independent record stores in Chicago. There’s hundreds of great used CD’s, LP’s, DVD and unique music related items. It’s not just a brick and mortar store, the owner also sells stuff online too. Unlike a lot of snooty record store peeps, Wilbur, the owner, is friendly, inviting, knowledgeable and truly has a love of his business. If you find yourself in North Center Lincoln Square or shopping at Trader Joe’s (around the corner), hit up the shop It’s truly a great little place.

Certainly not the largest music store in Chicago but very much my favorite. This small shop is well worth a special trip. The owner is extremely knowledgeable about music and very helpful.
While it is true that if you are looking for a specific album, there is a good chance it won’t be there — but that is not what this place is about. The store handles used CDs, DVDs and especially vinyl so if you want the best of the Rolling Stones, you are at the wrong store. That is not what Dead Wax is about. After all, you can get the Rolling Stone’s whole catalog at a Wal-​Mart and probably should if that is what you want. Instead, prepare to browse for hard to find gems that you will have a hard time finding at a new music store.
The real prize of Dead Wax is the owner — who is always helpful, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. If you tell him what you like, he is able to guide you to dozens of things that you probably have never heard of — most of which you could never find at Wal-​Mart.
He knows his stock well and seems to have amazing sources to buy from. He can tell you when something rare or out of print has just come in. Some of the things I have bought on his recommendation have turned out to be nearly impossible to find elsewhere at a decent price — if at all!
Also, while many used music stores sell media in fair or so-​so condition, everything I have ever bought at Dead Wax is pristine! The owner’s standards are very high.

The guy that works here is always nice and pleasant. That is a plus. But i’ve been in there ten times and never found anything worth buying. When you see the rolling stones section you hope for… out of our heads, beggars banquet, sticky fingers, etc. What you get is emotional rescue, black and blue and mick Jaggers «she’s the boss». I would like to write a better review.

Been meaning to visit here for some time, and finally the stars aligned this week so I could stop by.
Definitely like this store, and the record selection in a way seemed to be geared towards collectors (which I’m not). But I won’t hold that against the place. Selection was pretty decent, and IMO, non-​collectors would still like this store (I definitely did). Prices were very fair, and there were a decent amount of somewhat rarer albums within their stock. Love that they had some Stanley Clark and Chick Correa (of Return to Forever fame) solo albums in their stock! CD and DVD selection is a wee bit less in comparison, but also no way terrible, and I wouldn’t hold this against a store that obviously specializes in vinyl.
Will definitely be back sometime, and with the loss of Record Emporium near the Paulina Brown Line stop in the last 2 – 4 years (R.I.P.), I hope this place sticks around for years to come.

Stopped in here on Saturday and had a great experience! Dead Wax is full of obscure CDs and Vinyl records that you would not be able to find anywhere else. That kinda gets me excited! The prices were reasonable, and they have discounted items available for purchase.
I’ll be back Deadwax!

first off i should say that this is not a place for new vinyl, but that doesn’t mean your not going to find greatness here… the owner operator is as friendly as can be, always ready to talk music, and will always compliment you on your purchases never any tude about something he may not like, you can find alot of old stuff and used vinyl this is really one of the shops that everyone should support and keep going and the prices are great
go here!!!

This store is AWESOME. On my last trip to Chicago, we hit up Reckless and a handful of other record shops, but this one was definitely my favorite. I found a few obscure albums I hadn’t seen anywhere else. The selection is very diverse and the owner IS totally cool. It’s a small place, but it’s got SO MUCH to choose from and is a much more relaxing shopping experience than Reckless. I’m coming back to Chicago next weekend and this place will be one of my first stops.

As you all may or may not know I am a big advocate of small businesses, especially ones that are very near and dear to me. I have spent countless hours here, either browsing the mass selections of Cd’s, DVDs, and most importantly vinyl or just chatting it up with Wilbur. I have spent half my life and then some going to record shops all over states and have never I found a more knowledgeable, diverse, kind person then Wilbur the owner. The prices are great and he might even give you one or two free items pending how many you purchase.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Reckless Records, but I always feel kind of rushed and people are either judging me on my selections or they want them for themselves and will give me nasty looks cause I found it first… it’s happened. Deadwax is the kind of place where you chill, make your selections in peace, and Wilbur will probably even recommend something based on your taste… I recommend taking him up on it.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RECORD SHOPS, who knows how much longer we will have them!!!

The owner IS nice; however, the «dead wax» he carries really isn’t all that great. Really just a bunch of moldy oldies. Can’t comment on the CD or DVD selection (I don’t buy em). I guess it would be an okay place to shop if you were in the neighborhood…

The owner truly makes this place. The vinyl selection isn’t as large as other chicago record stores (Dave’s, Reckless, etc.), but what he has is good — I’ve never walked out empty handed.
Every record I’ve checked has been in perfect condition, with an extremely reasonable price tag. I’ve also scored several hard-​to-​find first pressings of albums with original lyric sheets, inner sleeves, and more.
Be aware that Deadwax only sells used vinyl; you won’t find a new section here.

This small store sells used cds, vinyl and books. I don’t have my turntable anymore, so I went right over to the used cds and found that they had a pretty decent amount of indie and alt. rock cds for sale. There are plenty of mainstream rock cds as well. They are closed on Mondays. Tell Wilbur the owner that I sent you in.

Those who miss that particular cluttered, low-​key ambience of Record Exchange, the venerable Belmont store that closed a couple years ago, will be pleasantly surprised to find one of the former employees opened his own place four years ago on Lincoln. Add this to your walking tour of the area’s five record stores (Record Emporium, Hard Boiled, Evil Clown, Laurie’s Planet of Sounds) and you just might be pleasantly surprised by some great used vinyl and CDs.