Free samples
Music stores with vinyl listening stations.

By Dave Kim

SHOPPING FOR MUSIC can be a trying process, especially if you're buying vinyl and aren't sure what to slap on your trusty Technics. Sure, places like Tower Records will let you listen to hit CDs before you fork over the cash, but what if you want to hear an old flamenco album only available on LP, or you can't remember whether you need Roots Manuva or Nappy Roots for your next DJ gig?

The San Francisco music stores listed below let you sample their wares on public-use turntables. Most cater to turntablists and dance DJs, but some carry a wider selection of vinyl you can try before you buy.

On BPM Music Factory's six self-service public turntables, you can listen to any record in the store – as long as you know what you're doing. Open since 1991, BPM is one of San Francisco's primary DJ outlets for the latest dance LPs and carries pretty much "everything that goes bump in the night": house, techno, drum 'n' bass, ambient, and most other subgenres of electronica. New records only. 573 Hayes, S.F. (415) 487-8680. www.bpmsf.net.

When S.F. legend DJ Mars opened Upper Haight record store Frequency-8, it was the first one in the United States to specialize in trance music. F-8 also carries techno and hard house vinyl and offers three turntables for curious listeners. If they sell it, you can listen to it. Check out new releases, buy records, and listen to samples on Mars's Web site. New records only. 1816 Haight, S.F. (415) 221-4142, www.frequency-8.com.

Groove Merchant lets you listen to everything except rare collectibles, sealed vintage records, and some vinyl gems decorating the walls. There's only one self-service turntable with headphones, so you may have to wait your turn, but the Lower Haight basement shop's extensive hip-hop, soul, electronica, jazz, and Latin American sections should help pass the time. New and used records. 687 Haight, S.F. (415) 252-5766.

You might find that elusive vinyl recording at Grooves in the Castro District, where three turntables are available for customers and everything except the ultra-valuable is fine to test. The shop's two rooms are stacked with vintage and contemporary treats in rock, folk, jazz, international, and classical music. And if you need a human encyclopedia for old world tunes, talk to owner Ray. Mostly used, some new. 1797 Market, S.F. (415) 436-9933.

South of Market's In House Records specializes, as you might imagine, in house. Six turntables have been set up for public use in the small upstairs establishment, and all records are fair game. Some of San Francisco's most prominent house DJs are known to shop here, so bring your autograph book. Also go to the Web site to see live video of local DJs performing in the store's Webcasting booth, the Red Room. New and used records. 988 Mission, S.F. (415) 543-4003. www.throwdown.com.

Open Mind Music has been "feeding vinyl heads since 1994" and is equipped with three public-use turntables. Almost every record in the store is OK to play, even some of the rarer classics. The 10-year-old establishment is famous for its hip-hop, reggae, and house selection, but Open Mind prides itself on carrying a wide range of genres. You'll find everything from vintage electronica to out-of-print eclectic goodies, and the staff know their shit. New and used records. 342 Divisadero, S.F. (415) 621-2244, www.openmindmusic.com.

With more than 50,000 45s to its name, Rooky Ricardo's Records is probably the best place in the city to find soul and oldies tunes. You can listen to anything on three public-use turntables. Finding rare records is one of the shop's specialties, and all albums and 45s are original presses – yet somehow remain affordable. Used records. 448 Haight, S.F. (415) 864-7526.

On Soundworks' four self-service turntables, you can listen to any record for sale except for two extra-special box sets. If you're worthy, you can also use the DJ booth, set up with two turntables for mixing and sampling. Dance music and commercial hip-hop make up the bulk of the store's vinyl stacks. Professional DJs can use Soundworks' record pool for a monthly fee. New records only. 228 Valencia, S.F. (415) 487-3980, www.soundworks-sf.com.

"Small but decked out," Tweekin Records has six self-service listening stations. Sample any record except for some of the 7-inches behind the counter. Tweekin's geared mostly toward house aficionados but also has extensive hip-hop, downtempo, and jazz sections. You can listen to clips and buy records on the Web site. New records only. 593 Haight, S.F. (415) 626-6995, www.tweekin.com.

Apparently Virgin Megastore now trusts the daily hordes to fiddle around with two DJ-friendly turntables. However, you have to bring your own needles or borrow some at the front counter by trading in a picture ID. You can sample most records, but if you look like a reckless minor, they'll probably be watching. LPs are available in the major genres (rock, hip-hop/electronica, and jazz), but the hard-to-find, underground stuff is MIA. New records only. 2 Stockton, S.F. (415) 397-4525.