7" Singles & 45s
The little record that built pop music — singles, B-sides and deep cuts at 45 RPM. 7-inch vinyl at Wax Trax.
The little record that built pop music — singles, B-sides and deep cuts at 45 RPM. 7-inch vinyl at Wax Trax.
The 7-inch single is where pop music grew up. For decades the 45 RPM single was how music actually reached people — the hit on the A-side, the gamble on the B, the format that ran the jukeboxes and the radio. Punk, soul, reggae, and rock 'n' roll all lived and died on it, and the singles bins are some of the most rewarding (and affordable) digging anywhere. There's a whole history in here that never made it onto an album.
7-inch singles and 45s across every genre — A-sides, B-sides, picture sleeves, and the deep cuts that never made an LP. Heavy in soul, punk, reggae, oldies, and rock. If you collect singles, set aside real time; this is where the rabbit holes get deep.
What's a 45?
A 7-inch single that plays at 45 RPM — the classic single format, usually one song per side. "45" and "7-inch" are used more or less interchangeably.
Why collect 7-inch singles?
Because so much great music — especially soul, punk, and reggae — only ever appeared on 45, including B-sides and one-off singles. They're also some of the most affordable and rewarding digging in the store.
Do I need a special adapter to play 45s?
Many 7-inches have a large center hole and need a 45 adapter (a cheap little insert). We carry them in our accessories section.