Wayback Records

This area is becoming a record hound’s destination. Wayback has been here a few years now, and they are really a great place. The selection is pretty deep, they have loads of imports and custom pressings, and they have a better selection of metal than most. That is great if you’re younger vinyl fans. The older guys who go for older 50s rock n roll and doo wop or bop jazz will have a good time picking through here, and the prices for that stuff is really great for the older stuff and country as well. But a lot of used shops tend to not have any 80s and later heavy metal that a lot of guys and gals look for — Wayback covers that. In addition the selection of memorabilia is way above anyone else for several states distance. If you like looking for lps you’ll have a great time. But if you are looking for a signed guitar or picks or a Monkees autographed lp, you’ll have to travel really far to find anything like this. And the guy who runs the place is a stand up guy.

Dude has a ton of knowledge. Very helpful and friendly. Would definitely return when back in town.

I’m a fan of Wayback because I was able to find a lot of older albums that I had been missing from my collection. In playable, great, shape. They did have a handful of newer items the last time I visited so give it a chance if you don’t find something you are looking for the first time you visit as he’s always adding inventory. I did find their prices more reasonable on used albums than ZZZ (which is contrary to the other review) your mileage may vary. The owner is super nice and gave us a few perks for spending a decent chunk of change there. There is room for two (or more) excellent record shops in Des Moines so if you like ZZZ give Wayback a shot to help fill out your collection.

This record store fairs better as a memorabilia auction/​museum as the selection leaves much to be desired. They do carry a great variety of oldies and more obscure genres than the other stores in Des Moines, but they don’t carry a single piece of new vinyl. Also, the price on some of the older vinyl I peeked at was ridiculous, items I had seen at ZZZ for $ 4 were marked at $ 25! Good for collectors, not so much for the avid vinyl buyer.

Well sure there are are still a few «RecordShops» open around the Des Moines area, and they are fine and dandy, However I do not believe any one else carries all the same collectibles that «Wayback Records» does.
Everyone is carrying vinyl again these days, however who else carries the deep and unusual catalog that «Wayback» does, like Jazz & R&B and in Great condition ??? As well as the best memorabilia collection I have ever seen in many years, since the days of «Crazy Rob» selling at the local antique shows in the late 90s early 2000’s.
They also carry Framed Music Art work for your Walls, CDs and rare Musical Instruments like a 1957 Fender Stratocaster (I heard one of Jackson Browne’s band members purchased this item from them) Beatles, KISS, SlipKnot, Jason Brown & Monkees items galore, Photographs, Autographs, Musicians Guitar Picks and all kinds of related items.
As well as they Trade, Buy & Sell merchandise too, so if you have stuff lying around you don’t care for anymore bring to them for someone else to enjoy. I wish they had a place like this around when I still lived in Des Moines in the 90s.
Overall an unbelievable place, but plan ahead you’re gonna need a good 45 minutes to an hour to see everything !!! Oh and tell em Dr. Rox sent ya.