Is there anything more thrilling and joy-inducing than thumbing through rows and rows of records, old and new, with that undercurrent of anticipation for suddenly encountering that one album you’ve been hoping to find for who knows how long? Only you can answer that for yourself. For my part, a close second to that experience is discovering a gem of a record shop like Strictly Vinyl Records. You’ve already gathered that brevity is not my strong suit. But let my use of 50+ words (when 10 would do) emphasize how great this little shop is. The experience is pure joy. You’re greeted with a simple “hello” as you walk in. Then given all the time you want to make your personal discoveries. Like many have notes already, the prices are fair and honest, the record conditions are pretty damn great, and the selection is so *so* good. I just got home and already can’t wait to go back. I’m excited for you to experience this for the first time like I did today. Honestly, I’m jealous. What are you waiting for? Get in there!
Cute little place. Really nice guy. Lots of variation in small place. Open sunday.
Well worth a visit when digging in the East Bay! I go there for Jazz and funk records and always find something I like within my price range. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.
Interesting classical music etc vinyl check it out
Nice little place with a good neighborhood vice. It was pretty lively when I was in there. Importantly, you can listen to the (unsealed) vinyl before you buy it so you don’t end up with a dud.
so we were hoping to open up the world of vinyls and music to my kids, but this isn’t the store. We tried on 2 separate occasions, trying to have a fresh outlook. unfortunately, the owner seemed either apathetic or flat out grumpy. such a disappointed.
3. Whip Records
Address: Peralta Ave, Albany, CA 94706 , Albany , California , United States
The Steinway grand piano really speaks. The room sounds great and having a separate drum booth makes it easy to record full bands. Highly recommended!
I owned a very successful film production company for 20 years and during that time I used Whip Records and David Landon’s expertise many times to score and record music for network TV projects videos the Miss America Pageant, Fox Sports & ESPN multi camera sports shows and 50+ extreme sports documentaries. David always exceeded my expectations, bringing in the projects on time and on budget under very demanding and often unreasonable circumstances with short turn around times. The sound he gets at Whip Records is excellent and can compete with any of the world class studios I have used in LA over the years. David is hard working and professional and a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend Whip Records without hesitation. And he can produce, write, and play multiple instruments which makes it much easier at crunch time. He has an incredible rolodex of talented musicians and in an hour or two can usually get an amazing studio musician to deliver on almost any sound or instrument I need. Really cannot say enough good about this guy. Would use him for any genre.
I am very happy with the results of the recording session at Whip Records today. David Landon is an excellent musician and engineer. Have had the experience in other recording studios, I will travel to CA just to do my next one there. The recording studio has a Steinway grand piano and the sound is unque.
4. Phoenix Song Music
Address: 505 Curtis St, Albany, CA 94706 , Albany , California , United States
I bought a Master Works Custom Russell Cook Psaltery. The quality of the instrument is excellent. The replacement string set was also delivered three weeks later.
Heinz
Switzerland
Delightful folks running a pretty shop in Berkeley. So many more instruments there than I can say possibly name! I brought my mandolin in with some questions, left with answers, and wasn’t charged anything.
Ecellent for worship and for concerts
Needed a replacement Guzheng bridge, thankfully they had it. My only complaint they charged $15.00 for shipping it using a padded envelope.
I am a teacher and have used this company musical wands for transitions in my classroom. The soft sound is perfect!
Unfortunately, for the first time I felt cheated by this company. I was looking for a set of four wands to give my team of second grade teachers as a welcome back to school gift. I thought I had found the set. On the company page they show a set of 4 wands listed as assorted but the customer can’t choose the designs. I was OK with that. Little that I knew that I had to scroll to almost the end of the page and read where it said $15.00 for one.
The price is outrageous for only 1. I would have never purchased this for that price. To top it off, the hummingbird (which was pretty), was damaged with a bent wing on arrival.
I did not return it because I did not want to spend anymore money for shipping and handling.
Please change your misleading advertisement!!
I would use this store as an ongoing resource for guitar strings, percussion supplies and possibly new instruments if it were open either Saturday or Sunday. I’d’ve given it 5 stars if it were.
Never called back after leaving messages and never answers the phone I am out of state and cannot go to the store to ask my questions
8. Guitar Hanger
Address: 1061 Eastshore Hwy, Berkeley, CA 94710 , Albany , California , United States
This was a very stress free and down to earth business to work with along with great customer service. I am glad I found this shop. I definitely agree with all of the positive reviews. Quality is rare these days and you definitely get it here. Thank you sir.
I loved my experience at this quaint and cozy repair shop! I am a viola player and had my bow rehaired, bow-tip fixed and had a new bridge cut for me after mine was beginning to warp again. Jonathan took great care of my instrument, is kind, thoughtful, very gifted ad highly skilled when it comes to string instruments. My entire string quartet ended up going here for bow rehairs and second violinist got a brand new bow tip. All beautifully executed and priced very reasonably. You won’t be find a cheaper quality bow rehair anywhere in the Bay.
Sean is an exceptional repairman and he has other skilled technicians working with him. I’ve brought various saxophones in over the years and he has always performed first-rate work at very reasonable prices and is very easy to work with. More than once he has suggested fixes that I didn’t know were possible and has really kept my and my son’s saxophones operating at top level. A Bay Area resource!
Brought older instrument in to get a piece replaced and to “tune up” the instrument….clean it up, etc. Were told the piece that needed replacement is not available and the instrument “couldn’t” be fixed, rather it should be turned “into a lamp”. Brought it to a different shop and that new shop was able to fix it. Miraculously, the piece that needed fixing was able to be tracked down, the instrument was shined up like new, and it works amazingly. My 14 year old son is thrilled. Too bad because the first experience at this place was decent. Not so much the second.
I don’t often write reviews but this was so poor- it was worth my time.
Disappointing interaction with Sean via phone. Phoned to inquire about a repair service and he acted as though my phone call was a bother. When I said
“Good morning , how are you ” his reply was “yea. Whats up!?!” and not in the “fun cool hip” way. His tone was annoyance. Didn’t seem helpful via phone. Why would I spend my money with such a poor customer service experience via phone.
Customer service is in need of a RETUNE!
This is a Wonderful music school. It is Professional and fun
Svetelina has a love for piano, teaching and humans! There could not be a better combination! The passion is in her eyes and the experience exists too.
I absolutely love this place. I’ve been doing voice here since February and have improved 100%. The people are sooo nice and supportive and voice lessons are my favourite part of the week.
I felt my daughter and I were discriminated by the director of this music school. I took my daughter to be evaluated because she was very interested in playing an instrument. From the moment we walked in the director handed us keys to go to an outside restroom ( which is located pretty far from her office). Even my five year old noted we had to walk far just to wash our hands. When we walked in we noted she washed her hands in a sink that was right next to her counter area ( not sure why we could not have washed our hands there). After the evaluation she told me my daughter was very musical but she would be placed in a waiting list. A waiting list was never mentioned over the phone. I went in April, she stated she would have spaces by May. She told me she would call me back the last week of April so that my daughter could start in May. May came around and I waited for her call but received nothing. I called her office twice to be able to speak with her and she said she would get back to me on the following Monday. She did not get back to me on the following Monday. In this call I noted her tone of voice get irritated and ended our conversation with an “ok by” and hung up. I was talking to her and had a few more questions when she ended the call. I feel if you state you will get back to someone then you should honor your word. I don’t feel I should keep calling back to follow up. The director clearly does not want to give instruction to my daughter. I found out about this school trough a friend of my daughter who is taking music lessons here.I asked her mom if this happened to her and on the contrary she was able to start the next week( my daughter’s friend is from a different race as my daughter). I also noted when she was evaluating my daughter she inquired where we lived. Which I answered “not far” because I felt like it was non of her business where we lived.
12. Spilman Violins
Address: 632 San Pablo Ave, Albany, CA 94706 , Albany , California , United States
One of the coolest guitar shops…..ANYWHere u will see!!!!!
Fatdawg or. Fatty…is one of the coolest. Humans on this earth and owner…operator….!!!!!
Treat yourselves…and just go there!!@!!!
Go to Subway if you want to have a memorable and (if you’ll relax a minute and enjoy the ride) fun experience buying a guitar from someone who gets guitars. It seems people prefer homogeneity over character these days, I think it’s a shame. Subway is a great little community fixture. Unpretentious, laid-back, and they won’t sell you things you don’t need or that don’t suit your needs. Go to Guitar Center if you want the box-store approach, or you want to be lied to or misled for the sake of them making a sale. Subway will buy back your guitar and there’s a 2-week try-anything policy. Very cool.
This place is awesome. Knowledgeable staff, lots of unique instruments & cool vibe.
It was cool and they let you take a guitar home for a week or two for free.
Came here to try out a couple of of guitars. Most of the guitars I played were not in the best playing condition and had some problems. However, the people here were friendly and have to give the store credit for that. It’s an ok spot if you’re looking for a guitar and are willing to go an extra mile in paying for the repair but I do not recommend if you’re looking into buying a solid great guitar unless you’re willing to pay for the expense of the repairs.
This is the holy grail of guitar shops. It’s a horrible mess and it’s utterly fantastic. I walked in, it was silent, no music nothing, and i scanned the guitars stacked 3 high on the walls. Old archtops are hung from the ceiling. The service is beyond garbage but i really don’t care with such a spectacle
Too small to really try out a guitar, lots of loafers. Did not see any amazing vintage guitars, mostly beater guitars in terrible shape. As I was leaving, someone managed to pull themselves away from a very dismal conversation to ask me if I needed any help 🙂
Sorry, a major flunk.
One positive- I did notice a few nice vintage tube amps…
I think small shops with vintage old guitars of various qualities is GREAT… but when then shop has a holdback narcissistic [and/or grandiose] hippie running things, it ruins it. Couldn’t get a straight answer on price on 3 items, and he wouldn’t even open a case to see what a blue guitar pedal was under some things. Just wanted to sell a reissued overdrive pedal for 3x what it was worth. I was pleasant the either time, engaged in chatter, and that was the way I was treated the entire time there. Not heading back. Maybe if this was a free admission guitar museum I would rate it higher, but as a guitar store it was a withholding experience. Stay away until store’s attitude changes.
Same old shack it’s always been. Weird cast off parts that are comically installed. Rectangular pickups in trapezoidal routs? Place is the epitome of a junk shop. It’s like visiting a zoo where the zebra is a spray painted donkey.
14. John F Mello Luthier
Address: 437 Colusa Ave, Kensington, CA 94707 , Albany , California , United States
The equipment they sell is great, and music lessons are the best!
Popped in for a couple sets of strings, and was shocked to see that this dark and shabby shop in a low rent area charged about 2 1/2 times what most shops do. In fact, 2 1/2 times what I could get the same strings for online, and that’s including tax and delivery! I guess since Guitar Center – the only competition for miles – moved, these guys decided they are going to screw their neighbors.
Not Surprising, their strings were old. An employee did immediately try to assist me, though, and also seemed to understand that the owner – who I assume to be the Asian man behind the counter, rudely ignoring me as I walked in – was being foolish about pricing.
Nice beginner ukulele selection
This place has hardly any guitars there Used Guitars are way overpriced it’s like a big cluster mess in that place
18. Down Home Music Store
Address: 10341 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530 , Albany , California , United States
The group that was playing was amazing! It was a combination of African & Spanish music. The gentleman explained the background and history of the music and the 3 drums that were being played. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience!
Great selection of all kinds of Roots music, knowledgeable staff!
What a great adventure to walk in to such a treasure trove of musical opportunity. Overwhelming selection of used and new vinyls. Jazz,folk, rock, country, cajune, r&b, even an lp of Norman Mahler reading Norman Mahler – (pass). Bought 5 albums for $49.00 dollars! Happy Happy!
Amazing record store – one of the few great ones left I am sure! If you are looking for something obscure in American traditional music (and more) this is The Place To Go.Fun! Knowledgeable staff will help you find what you want. Give yourself plenty of time to browse and a budget for all the great things you will discover and want to go home with
Pretty vast selection of records. New arrivals seem priced a bit on the high side, but I did find some jems and a clutch of well-priced LPs in the 2nd/main LP room. Super friendly staff.
Cool record shop featuring CD’s to the left room & vinyl on the right. Looked through the blues, jazz, soul/funk sections & they carry a varied selection at fair pricing. Some of the new cd’s were under $10. Cashier was friendly. He gave me a good deal on the 3 postcards i purchased. Will definitely be back to browse some more.
It is a sardine can (to small). You have to go out side to change your mind.
19. Dave’s Record Shop
Address: 1404 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702 , Albany , California , United States
Dave’s Record Shop is what record stores used to be. It’s what we wish they still were. A great selection of organized, clean records at fair prices. As a bonus, just about everything here is used and can be previewed on a turntable reserved for customers. My favorite place in the Bay Area.
The best record store in the Bay!
Great local record store with lots of vintage rock and jazz. There’s also a wide selection of $1 bargain records and a small but frequently updated selection of new releases. There’s room to spread out to socially distance and the owner is very friendly.
Good single-proprietor record shop. Owner is friendly and willing to discuss records/music. Had a nice selection when I stopped in from out if town.
Quaint record shop. Good music, great staff
Sold some unused lps at a fair price.
They changed their adress without updating their website. Take a bus, walk 5 minutes on one way after 45 minutes in the opposite without seeing this ghost store. Big waste pf time
Goldrush bought my Dad’s guitar collection. An old Fender, Gibson and some acoustic guitars. Didn’t have to take them all over to different guitar stores. He came to the house and we made a deal right on the spot. Hassle free. Thank you Al!
Was very pleased to know that Gold Rush guitars offered a mobile appraisal and guitar buying service. When I called and spoke to Al, he was very professional and knowledgeable and was able to give me details on a few guitars I had. I’m glad that they’ll be able to find new homes!
Thank you for being fair and honest with the offer that you gave me for my grandfather’s guitar collection. We couldn’t be happier to see his Gibson and Fender collection live on with other musicians!
