Three Guys Walk Into A Record Store - A Visit To The Infamous The Record Collector On Melrose!
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- Опубліковано 28 лип 2023
- Michael (@poetryonplastic) and Jim (@recordcollectornews) visited one of the most infamous record stores in Los Angeles.
/ @poetryonplastic
/ @recordcollectornews
recordcollectornews.com/ - Розваги
Life is WAY too short to deal with a business owner who treats some of his potential customers in such an aggressively poor manner. Great video, and thanks for the heads up regarding which record store to avoid when I'm in Los Angeles.
YES!!! HE's a sad lad...pompous! I was there 25 years ago! Finally I'm vindicated! And I think you mean the Canfield guide.
Correction: at 6:20 I meant to say George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra, not the Columbia Symphony*
Michael, if he knew about your background, you would have been given the grand tour. He is a classical trained violinist. At least that is what he told me. Henry, the "archivists" is a gentle soul. Not sure how he handles it. All records will be over priced, you are paying for the experience. Once he learned I was a retired professor, I got his life story ( it was a slow day). He also wanted to know all about starting a low powered FM station as he hates KUSC (they compress for the car drivers who are in fact the majority of their listeners), Terry
@@wlsallnightJim told him about Michael and they chatted.
So the guy pretty much takes all the fun out of record shopping.😎
That’s the fun
I've been there many times, dating back to the days in the 80s when he was in another location on Highland. We always have a good conversation. He likes talking to classical musicians, especially those who know L.A. classical history. He does seem to have EVERYTHING; it's uncanny. And yes you generally pay full price. You go there when you want specific things and you know it's going to cost you. He's a "different" guy, but he has always been nice to me.
I was there in February, passed the sniff test and got to actually browse in the high end jazz section for an hour or so. Went home with an OG Eric Dolphy Outward Bound on New Jazz for a fair price. ~Jason
The soup nazi of vinyl, love it. These kind of shops fascinate me. The idea that he's been building up that collection for so many years and has all this knowledge in his head is amazing. And probably had the same assistant the entire time. But funny how he seemed to charge $50 for like everything. Seems like that could definitely work in your favor sometimes. Would love to browse that place. Good one!
Who doesn't know the principal oboe of the LA Phil in the 1930s? Out! Out! Out of my store!🤣 This is a great conversation, guys! A classic event.
After he played the 78s through his JBL floor speakers from '62, I wept; then Sandy charged me a hundred bucks for the Schnabel & Dobrowen Concerto 4 Beethoven HMV and I believe I have found at least 2 copies since at around ten to twenty bucks a piece. Also, a prize should be given out to Sandy's helper, Harry or Henry, I can't remember, but he's the perfect sidekick for their chicanery of mind control.
Awesome vid! Thanks guys!
Just read about the owner putting the shop and collection up for sale, searched to see if anyone I knew had visited, and there you are! Fun vid! And These are the kinds of characters that are too good to miss out on meeting if you get the chance!
Don't be a stranger!
That was a great video: three people talking about their record pickups and who clearly love the music on the records they grabbed. I'd be hard-pressed not to turn around and leave immediately if I walked into a record store and there were no prices. That has to be tough for a lot of people, but if you know roughly what things should go for - and all of you did - it can be okay. Glad you all had a good experience there.
Cheers, Tom
Thanks
Great pick-up by all. Nice job everyone! -- Mike
Hi Rob. I saw a clip from Fox 11 News which was posted on UA-cam yesterday. The Record Collector shop on Melrose is up for sale. The asking price for the building is $4,995,000. The 500,000 records in the shop are not included in that price.
I have been bombarded with messages about this. Thanks.
From your description, I would never go into that store. I want to enjoy the experience of a record store and look for whatever comes to mind without worrying about some egotistical douche judging me. I’ve been in those types of stores and it ruins the entire experience. Thanks for the heads up.
I’ve been there 3x. The owner wasn’t a total tyrant to me bc I knew what I was there for and knew enough to be dangerous. Others that came in didn’t get the same experience. And the assistant is literally cast out of a black & white timely film 😬
Thanks for publicly exposing that jerk!
Great video guys. I used to go into his store in the early 2000's- about 20+ years ago -and he was very helpful to me. I was allowed to browse - even the shelves - and occasionally I would ask about some LPs that had eluded me for a long time and he would go to some shelves in the back of the store, down narrow hallways, and pull out remarkable finds. I haven't lived in LA for a long time but am visiting this fall so you have motivated me to go back. I am so happy to hear he is still there.
Same experience here, except going way back to the Seventies.
Henry knew where everything was, and was very helpful.
If you ever go to there, tell Sandy that Jim Miller -- friend of Don Hodgeman's sent you. You'll be 'in like Flynn'.
Great video. That is a different type of record store for sure.
It sure is!
Last time I went was when the store was still on Highland, so over 20 years ago. Not a pleasant experience. You are brave souls to enter the lion's den!!! But you got some great records - Michael, major score on the Walton!
I went there once. He was watching the store remotely and had his assistant Henery hold up the record and he would tell him a price on speaker phone. He started screaming at Henry and berating him over and over. I had to leave. NO RECORDS FOR ME!
I could see that
What a great episode, sir!!!
Glad you enjoyed it
His cheap records are expensive but his expensive records are a good buy.
Man, i gotta see this guy. You should try to get an interview.
There was a failed documentary about him that fell apart for unknown reasons. I was contacted because they asked to use my Yelp review for the project. I followed up some time later and they said the project was shelved. Wonder why! 🧐
Great video Waxed ! Thoroughly enjoyed it despite only knowing the biggest names on the records ..
Excellent
Awesome finds! Definitely adding this spot to my next LA record store trip. Great video!!
Be careful.
Nice, enjoyable outing for The Three Amigos...I would have said The 3 Musketeers, but Jim is the only one who looks the part, though Michael might be passable as D'Artagnan, and let's face it, people, Rob could only be cast as Cardinal Richelieu.😇
Awesome video… sounds like an adventurous and exciting place to shop for rekkids!
This bloke sounds like the one who used to run Haggle Vinyl in Islington in the early 2000s. I would often take record covers up to him to buy the record and then he would pretend he couldn’t find the record because he didn’t like the look of me. However, he had some great stuff in that shop. In a way, shame it isn’t there anymore.
You went! You did great Waxed. And yes the Ahmad sounds amazing. Have one on the wall rn. Arnoldo and I actually listened today actually. Totally agree with you about Chico on Impulse. And Jim, I recently sold a copy of that Howard McGhee record and I kinda feel the burn. It’s really really good. Hot and classy.
Love your videos Waxed. Very professional. And…love that San Francisco album! Mine has a huge gouge out of it sigh….❤❤❤
Thanks
You guys look like you just got back from the soup kitchen without Elaine.
I know!!
Great video Rob
Thanks
I'd ask for Suburban Lawns with the hopes of a segue into rare garage 45s.
Yea. I wandered in there once killing time, and wasn’t prepared for that guy. Lol. There’s no prices on anything and it’s amazing if anyone actually gets to buy anything. It’s like he’s trying to place the records in the right collection. You really have to negotiate a price and let him know you’re the right person to buy that record. Incredible jazz collection those. Best I’ve ever seen in one place in person. Good video guys. Reminded me of that one time 5 years ago. Lol. I walked away empty handed, but had an amazing experience anyway.
Nice classical finds Michael!
Crikey....that store owner sounds like a barrel of laughs !!!
I'd probably walk into his store,say hello,look at him and have a shotgun pointed at me 😁 $100 for a classical LP 😮😮😮 you generally can't give them away over here !!!
Wow, what a coincidence! I just picked up that Howard Mcghee on OJC CD! Its great!
CLASSICAL 🙄 i was thinking he would be into New Wave, Punk 80s Stuff. Talking Heads, Ramones, Pink Floyd, Depeche Mode that sorta stuff. well he really shocked me there.
I enjoyed watching this one. If I ever make it to LA I'm going...........and probably getting thrown out! 🤣
There was a jerk who ran a junk store in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania called "Atomic Warehouse". He was just like that! Thankfully he and his over-priced junk records (and everything else) are now belly-up!
I have 2 copies of the first Lambert Hendricks and Ross record on Columbia. One has the back cover upside down Rob.
Looks like a fun adventure. Too bad you couldn’t have a hidden camera. Love 2,3,4’. I have an OG stereo
As long as the dude didn't include ebay shipping! lol.
I went into the Highland location once in the early 1990s.
Not a shopper-friendly store in any sense, and the one record I asked for, yes it was there,
but the price was WAY out of line.
I hope he still has the same copy 30 or more years later. He can keep it. He's a major dick.
I so want to go into that store!
When the is your US tour?
So many great record stores in Los Angeles, why waste time in a place like this.
Michael, later on get a "beat up" version of that first record really cheap, but has a good jacket! And your good!😊
What would happen if you videoed in the store?? Enjoyed this video. I hope you three do some more videos together.
I don’t think I would live to tell.
Must be the place I went. Looked like some kind of tax dodge or 'running joke'. I asked him about a price and he called someone, who appeared to be no one, and had a one way phone converation. The price was only about 10$ over the market rate, but as a dealer I offered 30% of the market rate. I asked him why he was selling 10cent Lp's for 15$, forget his response. Left empty handed, fascinating experience.
It looks like its at or near the location of Aron's Records, where I bought MANY used records in the late '70s.
Just left this mad mans store and HAD to leave horrible reviews google & yelp for his horrible customer service. He will ruin your experience!
Michael could play young Roger Waters in the upcoming Pink Floyd movie.
You want a Price NO RECORDS FOR YOU
Sanders loves talking music, hifi, LA, what a character. Be polite and thoughtful, you'll get a tour.
We were and he sorta did.
Exactly
Sounds like records you think you got to have go there and see if he has them. He could help
Fill in my collection holes
Some bookshop owners do this in the UK. I am guessing they don't want to deal with what they think are people who are "time wasters or people scoffing at prices and ask for discounts. I know a number of record shop owners who do the same. Interesting video. Thanks.
God discussion fellas ✌🏻
God?
@@theboomerscalper That was a good operation, you guys gathered some good intel. Thank you from the troops.
I have that same exact pressing of the Hutcherson/Land SF record. Bought it for $20.
Gees!
Did this posting ever bring back mems from a long-ago past!
Good going guys but, there was (is) another side to The Record Collector and Sanders Chase about which I posted just a moment ago as an answer to another's comment, this following, which a wider audience I think might enjor (or NOT?)
Ha! Good old Sandy Chase!
I bought classical 78s from he and Henry (knew where 'everything' was!) beginning sometime in the later Seventies.
He and Music Man Murray and his wife were my other destination for some really nice finds. (Classical piano, Arthur Lyman exotica and George Wright pipe organ.)
Sandy played (or plays) some instrument (cello, brass?) in the L.A. Philharmonic. His Mom, forgot her name, had been a student of the mighty Joseph Lhevinne's (not Rosina's) at Julliard in New York, and later a teacher of piano in the Hollywood area.
Funny story attending:
Once, after Sandy having heard the news that Music Man Murray had taken me to lunch somewhere, Sandy inquired thus of myself: "Murry took YOU to lunch?" To which I answered innocently in the affirmative plus opined that MMM was really nice guy and seller.
Not long then, after GUESS WHAT?
It was off to Musso & Franks on the Boulevard (famous eatery in Hollywood started back in the Teens) for . . . LUNCH!
They were competitors of a sort and each was not going to be bested by the other. I only came to realize this dynamic until much later.
Yeah, Sandy is a prickly character at times but respect and knowledge of what you're doing are KEY to getting along with him.
The GOOD old days of shellac Chase-ing and collecting.
If Neil or Bob go in there, they're going to overpay.😅
If the store owner knows he has the goods, then it's tough turkey for the buyers.
Very interesting record store, awesome you all got some rare things.
How is his selection of rock, hard rock or metal (80’s metal, not extreme stuff)
Ed
I was afraid to go look. I understand he doesn't have much of that.
So it sounds like it intimidates you then he steals your money.
Sounds like the guy has a few issues.
He wouldn't get a satoshi out of me, but I'd go in there just to mess with him if he's got a reputation like that.
Some strange cats around in this wacky world of record collecting
Interesting video Wax, what would bother me would be if he had several copies of the same title and the guy picks one out and gives it to you i want to look for the best copy myself. i wonder if you went in and handed him a 50 and said i want to shop what would he say.
He would kick you out
Sounds like the place hasn’t changed since my last visit years ago. If Henry told you about Hugh Laurie and Michael Jackson shopping there, bonus points. Did Sandy remember + recognize Jim from back in the day?
He remembered Jim
I'm just here to annoy Rob. Brave adventure!
I'd rather have a root canal than visit that store.
If Sting goes in there he's going to overpay.😅
@theboomerscalpe I have not seen you this subdued in like never!!! Sanders has record collectors on their very best behavior or they leave empty handed. Sounds like a vinyl goldmine in there, but I have zero patience to “Billy Goat Gruff” my way into this store.
Was this store formerly Ray Avery’s Rare Records in the sixties? Ray Avery was the famous jazz photographer. I use to shop there in the sixties. Anyone know?
I dont
@user-fg4fr2bz5y Avery’s store was in Glendale, California.
@@edwardevans652 this was before he opened the Glendale store. The original store was on melrose in the sixties.
ROUND SOUND WEST, Oceanside - suggest do a history. Reliable mail order to N Europe, 90s. When finito ?
I gotta go there next week. Seems expensive though?🎉
No!
I wonder if he has some rare Latin records? Maybe I’ll go there someday and see, Thanks for the heads up about the owner…..👍
I didn’t notice any. Be careful!
There was the soup nazi and now the vinyl records nazi.
I was hoping he had a copy of the godz godzundheit
Metal?
@@theboomerscalper the NYC art band. Godzundheit has unforgettable cover and an unforgivable cover of whiffenpoof song. Baa baa baa for minutes on end. Other godz is Cleveland metal band for bikers
Went there several times over my years in LA, first time was around 1980. Henry worked there then. Show Sanders some respect and he’s not a bad dude. Certainly no worse than some of the guys at Rhino or Aaron’s. But don’t go there for deals go there to find things that don’t often pop up. Great video Rob.
Ha! Good old Sandy Chase!
I bought classical 78s from he and Henry (knew where 'everything' was!) beginning sometime in the later Seventies.
He and Music Man Murray and his wife were my other destination for some really nice finds. (Classical piano, Arthur Lyman exotica and George Wright pipe organ.)
Sandy played (or plays) some instrument (cello, brass?) in the L.A. Philharmonic. His Mom, forgot her name, had been a student of the mighty Joseph Lhevinne's (not Rosina's) at Julliard in New York, and later a teacher of piano in the Hollywood area.
Funny story attending:
Once, after Sandy having heard the news that Music Man Murray had taken me to lunch somewhere, Sandy inquired thus of myself: "Murry took YOU to lunch?" To which I answered innocently in the affirmative plus opined that MMM was really nice guy and seller.
Not long then, after GUESS WHAT?
It was off to Musso & Franks on the Boulevard (famous eatery in Hollywood started back in the Teens) for . . . LUNCH!
They were competitors of a sort and each was not going to be bested by the other. I only came to realize this dynamic until much later.
Yeah, Sandy is a prickly character at times but respect and knowledge of what you're doing are KEY to getting along with him.
The GOOD old days of collecting shellac.
It's not like he's getting rich off the prices.
Hello good sir, Do you have any Nickelback?
Get out!
Instead of the soup nazi you found the record nazi😂
Does the store only sell Jazz? Any rock? Anything new?
No all. I was afraid to leave the Jazz section.
there is rock. Beatles. Probably overprice and not his "thing"
he says he doesn't have anything past the 80s
@@diamond_marimba no
Sanders the Soup Nazi😂😂😂😂
...I walked in cold knowing absolutely nothing about this shop. I had a great time joking with the owner of the store, and the assistant was funny as hell. No prices? Doesn't scare me. I'm well aware of the market. From our banter he could tell I knew what I was talking about. He charged me what I thought were fair prices for the condition of the records I wanted and there is so much stuff there I wish I had more time to dig. Go in with a positive attitude as opposed to being a stuck up audiophile snot nose and it might be a better experience.
10:57 Pronounced FINE-AS ....Newborn. Finian s Rainbow = an early Coppola film, that s not FI-NE ...
Suggest do a similar on DISCONTINUED RECORDS. Burbank or G dale. When did it go out of biz ? Just a narrow counter on where you laid down your wantlist - real cramped quarters 4 customer. The warehouse in the back was hangar-size, but off-limits COSTomers. Also on Melrose was a similar store in 86,,there,, you could browse but all genres were mixed in alpahbetically. That was idiotic. Who was the owner of DISCONT ? Then do another 1 on LEON LEAVITT.
@poetryonplastic I told you he would have the SAX, It's such a great shop. Now that you are in LA , If you want to go to some places that have an even better selection I can take you. Generally the good classical is private and not out on the shelves.