All Kinds of Music--for a Song : Phi Beta Records in Studio City boasts an encyclopedic inventory, at prices that are a positive note for your budget.

STUDIO CITY — When the earth shook in January of last year, it also shook loose the jobs of many, including Rob Ke vorkian and Harold Abramowitz’s employment at Record Surplus, which was destroyed in Sherman Oaks.

The San Fernando Valley natives persevered--with a little help from their parents and the knowledge gleaned from their collective nine years’ experience in record retail--and opened their own shop in December on Ventura Boulevard. Phi Beta Records stands on the very block where Kevorkian rode his skateboard some 20 years ago.

The store carries every type of music in every format. You’ll find rock, country, jazz, blues, classical, New Wave, New Age, children’s, international and even spoken word on CDs, LPs, cassettes and laser discs. All merchandise is guaranteed--if there is any problem, it can be returned. And the deals are truly exceptional.

The average price of merchandise is $7 for CDs, $2 to $3 for LPs and $3 for cassettes, many of which are still factory-sealed or are new manufacturers’ cutouts. (A cutout has a hole in the jacket, marking it as a remainder.) New releases sell at half of list price.

The four-CD “Frank Sinatra Reprise Collection” lists for $65, but Phi Beta’s sticker reads $32.99. “The Three Tenors” (Carreras, Domingo and Pavarotti) CD is $7.99, instead of $16. The two-CD set of the Beatles’ “Live at the BBC” lists for $27 but sells here for $14.99.

If you neglected to get the original cast recording of “Phantom of the Opera,” fill that gap with a double cassette that costs $6.99; it lists for $17. If your offspring have never heard the wondrous range of Yma Sumac, her “Mambo” album on Capitol is only $3.99. And what a treat it is.

Phi Beta Records also has many rare pieces in its inventory. Bill Haley’s original “Rock Around the Clock” (1956) on a Decca LP sells for $75. If you think that’s high, consider that the collectors’ book puts its value at $150. Jimmy Reed’s original “Rockin’ With Reed” (1959) on the VeeJay label carries a collector’s price of $100, but it’s $30 here.

The video inventory is of pretty good size, and new videos are sold at about half price. But the average price for videos is $5 to $6, and you’ll find such classics as 1942’s “Now, Voyager” for $3.99 (used) and 1994’s “Gettysburg” double-video (new and factory-sealed) selling for $7.99.

Both owners are very knowledgeable about all types of music, not just today’s hits, so the quality of service in this well-organized shop is superb.

Geri Cook’s Bargains column runs every Friday in Valley Life!

Geri Cook can be heard from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturdays on KIEV 870-AM.

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WHERE TO SHOP

What: Phi Beta Records.

Location: 12180 Ventura Blvd., Studio City.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Cards: MasterCard and Visa.

Call: (818) 985-1150.