Best Store for Jazz Vinyl in SF?

[dsockel]

If you only had time to visit one store for jazz vinyl in San Francisco, where would you go? Amoeba?

Thanks.

[Unk]

Only one? Yeah, I suppose Amoeba would be the one. But there are several: Jazz Quarter, Jacks, Grooves, Rasputins, Rooky Ricardos, Aquarius...

Don't get me started on the East Bay.

Edited May 8, 2007 by Unk

[Eric]

There used to be a number of very fine stores on Telegraph in Oakland. Have not been there in 4-5 years though.

[GregK]

I was disapointed by the selection in Amoeba when I was there last fall(other than the Monk Mosaic box and the Coltrane Atlantic LP box, which were both much too expensive for me to buy).

[J Larsen]

There used to be and may still be a junk store in North Beach that often had some good vinyl (in addition to a decent selection of reasonably priced instruments). The place is a litte chaotic but I found some good stuff there back in the day. As of about 1.5 years ago it was still there.

There also used to be a book store on Polk near either California or Pine that had a few bins that were worth flipping through. As a teen I found a ridiculously expensive Residents record in there for about five bucks, and there were usually quite a few old looking jazz records, but I was too young too know what they were at the time. I recall the owner being a jazz guy though, so it is probably worth checking out.

Recycled Records on Haight is pretty good for rock and at least used to have a decent jazz section.

Other than that, Amoeba. They killed all the others off.

[J Larsen]

BTW, not sure if this is still the case, but the jazz section (which is really a room) at the original Amoeba in Berkeley used to totally kick ass. The SF store opened after I left the Bay Area, but on my return visits I've never been as impressed with the SF store as with the Berkelely store.

[AmirBagachelles]

Groove Yard on Claremont in Berkeley is a real treat for me when I visit from NY. Condition of stock is first rate (on par with Jazz Record Center in NY), prices are reasonable (better than JRC), owner Rick Ballard a terrific guy. I've never done well with Amoeba's vinyl in terms of rare finds, or great bargains.

[Tim McG]

Streetlight Records is pretty good, too.

The one I frequent is on 24th St. in the Noe Valley District.

[Chuck Nessa]

Another plug for my old friend Rick Ballard at Groove Yard.

[Tim McG]

Where is Groove yard located in Berzerkly?

[Chuck Nessa]

Where is Groove yard located in Berzerkly?

I think he's at 5555 Claremont Ave, Oakland.

[Allan Songer]

Another plug for my old friend Rick Ballard at Groove Yard.

He moved from Telegraph? In any case, great guy--great store.

[Chuck Nessa]

Another plug for my old friend Rick Ballard at Groove Yard.

He moved from Telegraph? In any case, great guy--great store.

He moved 3 or 4 years ago.

[Eric]

Groove Yard on Claremont in Berkeley is a real treat for me when I visit from NY. Condition of stock is first rate (on par with Jazz Record Center in NY), prices are reasonable (better than JRC), owner Rick Ballard a terrific guy. I've never done well with Amoeba's vinyl in terms of rare finds, or great bargains.

Glad to hear he is still around. Delightful place and man!!!

[Allan Songer]

Another plug for my old friend Rick Ballard at Groove Yard.

He moved from Telegraph? In any case, great guy--great store.

He moved 3 or 4 years ago.

Good to know--I'll drop in and see him next time I'm in the Bay Area. I've bought quite a few LPs from Rick over the years--not many in the last 7 or 8 since I don't get up to the Bay Area as often as I used to.

[Unk]

Anyone in the area, wishing to visit Grooveyard, but without a car should know: just two or three blocks from Rockridge BART station. (There's a Dex BN box set on the shelves this morning amidst an expanded used CD section.)

[trane_fanatic]

Open Mind Music in the Haight closed last year. They had some good vinyl, prices were high though.

[Teasing the Korean]

Starbucks' Records and Tapes.

[BruceH]

Streetlight Records is pretty good, too.

The one I frequent is on 24th St. in the Noe Valley District.

Nice store. I go there a lot, or used to.

[J Larsen]

When I was in HS going over to 24th St to hit Streetlight and Aquarius was a weekly ritual. I found some very, very, very cool 7" records in Streetlight over the years.