Vintage Sounds — Local services in Houston

Can't say enough about this place ... genuine antique record players ("We don't sell knockoffs!") dating back to the late 19th century, along with tube-type radios, bunches of old recorded cylinders and 78's, crank and rotary phones, and pretty much everything else related to the name of the establishment. It's run by a couple who's been in the business for well over 30 years. If they don't know something about this stuff, it's not worth knowing. They'll spend as much time with you as you like, describe every piece in detail, demonstrate their operation, and let you roam this little shop to your heart's content.

Bob (retired chemist, PhD) and Kathy are wonderful people who genuinely love what they do, and are anxious to pass along the knowledge they've gathered over several decades. Prices are fair, considering that the pieces have been rebuilt to working order (an art in itself ... Bob's specialty) and restored aesthetically, without detracting from their original state. You can spend anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, knowing that what you've got is the real thing. They also throw in a couple of extras, depending on the piece.

My new 100% wireless sound system now occupies a prominent place in my home, fiercely guarded by Nipper, the "His Master's Voice" dog. The shop is only open Friday through Sunday at the Market Place Antiques Mall on I-10 west between the Beltway and Wilcrest. You owe it to yourself to pay this...

My wife and I are new to record/vinyl collecting. We stumbled across this place and we bought 7 or 8 records from the 70's-80's. We got them home and we found that most were total trash. As in too bad of shape to be sold. We looked at the "receipt" the guy gave us and all it said was "7 records $149" My wife tried contacting the owner to see if she would make things right. She never responded. Bottom line the records are twice the price and half the quality of other places we've since been to....

Owners are great and will give you a history lesson about early sound recording technology. They have been in business for over thirty years and are very knowledgeable. They gave me a good deal on a Victor reproducer. Drop by sometime. You will learn something and have an...