Best Vinyl Shops - Norcal Edition

Discussion in 'Music and Recordings (vinyl , 8-track, etc.)' started by velvetx, Mar 1, 2016.

  1. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    Figured I would start a few threads focusing on actual brick and mortar record stores.

    Analog Room @ Campbell, CA - @drfindley took me here and at first I was wow I wonder what I am going to find that I am going to like. It was very soon I would realize practically all of it. Brian who is the store owner is a great resource for not only pressings but music in general. He has been collecting vinyl personally for a lot of years and has just started slowly putting out some of his extra stuff. Easily one of my favorite stores and where I have bought all of my records except two of them. Call it what you will but I do my best to try to spend money locally. Has a great collection of Rock, Jazz, and Classical albums.

    Ameoba @ Berkeley, CA - When I visited I was quite overwhelmed by the size of the store. Nothing special here just a lot of records and not too many things which most would consider rare. Lots of people enjoy this store but I don't feel like there is any personal touch.

    Rasputin @ Berkeley, CA - Same as Ameoba but they actually had a bit more rare stuff but like Ameoba they have everything but I like the downstairs closed off section better as it's much quieter and there is someone you can talk to if you need help.

    Stranded @ Berkeley, CA - Pretty fancy I would say as this is a bit more upscale than Ameoba and Rasputin. They have a lot of music I have not heard before but a small shop. Had surprisingly a lot of soundtracks as well as world music.
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2016
  2. calaf

    calaf New

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    Down Home Music @ El Cerrito, CA - Home to Arhoolie Records, has a backroom packed with a good selection of mostly used folk, blues, world music at great prices
     
  3. bazelio

    bazelio Friend

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    I haven't been there in a looooong time, but is Streetlight Records (also in Campbell) still around? I believe it is.
     
  4. bazelio

    bazelio Friend

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    Noticed The Record Man in Redwood City last weekend. Didn't go in.
     
  5. bazelio

    bazelio Friend

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    I don't believe I'd seen it in the past, so this might be new news, but the other day I noticed Fry's had a decent collection of vinyl in a prominent location in the store. I was tempted to get Nirvana Unplugged even though I'm probably a ways off from getting a turn table, phono stage, etc.

    [​IMG]
     
  6. GD__

    GD__ New

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    There is also 1, 2, 3, 4 go records in oakland and also in SF i think. Not a huge shop, but I think they have a pretty good selection with good prices.
     
  7. MuppetFace

    MuppetFace Sultana of Seafoam Green - Moderator

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  8. hamstar

    hamstar New

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    Mill Valley Music, Mill Valley
    Red Devil Records, San Rafael...great store, super knowledgeable owner, well curated/great collection, best for collectors and audiophiles
    Watts Music, Novato
     
  9. PATB

    PATB New

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    The Analog Room, Campbell -- really good selection of new and good condition jazz and classical. Highly recommended for equipment. They sell cartridges at the same cost online, but installs them for you.
    Vinyl Solutions, San Mateo -- prices are reasonable (but of course, not Amazon pricing) and have good selection of new records. My favorite for new records.
    The Needle Groove, San Jose -- this is where I go for used records. The grading seems spot on. The store is small, but I like their selection.
    On the Corner Music, Campbell -- mostly used records. The grading is a little optimistic, but not too bad.

    VG condition regular (i.e., non-rare) records at $15/$12 seems a bit much but appears to be the norm in the above stores. Anyways, I try to buy from them as much as I can during lunch or weekends, as I am grateful there are local stores where I can enjoy browsing vinyl in person.
     
  10. nedifer

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    Great, knowledgeable staff, too. A huge amount of my new music discoveries have been due to Down Home Music. Highly recommended.
     

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