Amoeba Music

Not My favorite Amoeba, but it’s still one of the greatest record stores in the world! I never leave an Amoeba without finding something I absolutely need, wether it’s an out of print Woody Allen Movie, or some cd I have been looking for, for years, or an Lp that I can’t find anywhere else!
The staff at this store was great, and helpful, and I want their jobs! Actually I don’t cause I would just spend my pay check every week! This is a mecca for music fans, if you are in Berkeley, you must stop!

There’s a real sense of misery emanating from the people that work here. I feel bad for them. I think the prices here usually suck. Every now and then there’s a deal to be had. They’ve gotten greedy and put a big price tag on many things hoping some hipster will think he’s cool if he buys it. It’s their right to do that, but I can’t bring myself to respect that as a business strategy.
There are smaller, independent record stores in the Bay Area that have better prices, better selection, less miserable people working there that deserve your business. This place doesn’t need (or deserve) your support — the other places do.

So yesterday I was rolling around on a whim trying to find the Madonna Record Store Day vinyl. Normally I go to Rasputin’s (the best one around) but i parked close to amoeba so what the hell. I immediately was swept into an area that was soooo dusty etc. as I wondered aimlessly around trying to find the Madonna section, I noticed that there didn’t seem to be any worker in the floor (who was noticeable). After walking pass the same guy many times, I finally asked him if he worked there and he was like,“yea” dude, I’m just here like an animal and you’re just standing there? Never again. Go to Rasputin’s.

If you plan to go to Amoeba you will need to plan on atleast an hour, but probably more. My teen son has recently gotten into vinyl and we had a blast searching for classic rock albums together. If you want it, they got it.

It’s like Disney land for music junkies! If you haven’t been, call in sick or leave work early and go down there!!!
Oh baby do you know what that’s worth, oh heaven is a place on earth!!!

A huge collection of records at decent price! Save from 2 hours to 4 depending on your digging speed :)
I do not give the 5 stars because there is no listening points for vinyl records. I could have bought more if so!
I recommend this shop if you are looking for some records and music related stuff. You will also be at just 1 block from Rasputin Record shop which is nice as well.

I have been to three branches of Amoeba including Los Angeles (possibly) the biggest and the one in the Haight yet the one on Telegraph Ave is the original probably the smallest of the bunch. Yet it is quality of quantity here as the «feel» of the store is excellent. It is very difficult to leave here empty handed. Lots of used cd’s as well as new and heaps of vinyl. I ended up buying a used Ali Akbar Khan cd and the linear notes inside were worth the cost of the cd.
The beauty of going to Amoeba besides the smart selection of posters and the feel of the store is the search for obscure rarities. It is like going to a thrift store and trying to score some new «used» threads. Amoeba has heaps of live, b-​sides, singles, and stuff you would be hard pressed to find anywhere.
In the days of spotify, ipods, and Mp3 players it is refreshing to be in a music store like this.
Bravo for Amoeba Music for fighting the good fight keeping the soul of the Bay Area in check as gentrification hits like everywhere it seems.

Of the 3 Amoeba stores, this one was the first. It’s also the smallest.
The people are cool and helpful, and the selection can be very interesting. Good jazz section, well-​organized Hip-​Hop section.
If you only visit one record store on Telegraph Ave., visit Amoeba. If you have time for Rasputin as well, try out Amoeba first. It’s a good reflection of Berkeley’s unique energy.

Great store. Staff is friendly and prices are fair. Parking is always a pain in Berkeley, but good overall experience.

I was able to make my first extensive visit to this store recently and came away highly impressed.
This Amoeba branch and the Amoeba in San Francisco (I visited both on a recent trip to the Bay Area; I have yet to see the Hollywood store) are so far the most impressive record stores I’ve ever visited, and I’ve been to many in different parts of the United States, including several (Waterloo in Austin, Texas; Twist and Shout in Denver; Electric Fetus in Minneapolis; Sound Garden in Baltimore; Banana’s in St. Petersburg, Fla.) that have national reputations.
The Amoeba in Berkeley is a huge record/​media store filled with CDs, vinyl records and DVDs/​Blu-​rays (movies and TV shows) of all descriptions. I consider myself a collector of all those kinds of discs except Blu-​rays, and there were so many items that interested me that I was practically overwhelmed in the 2 ½ hours I spent in the store. The used CD selection is incredible, with many out-​of-​print items, including choice box sets, in the bins and on the shelves. Just about every genre of music you can think of is represented in the store. I wouldn’t describe the prices as cheap, but I didn’t think anything was overpriced either.
The used/​new CD selection was the most impressive part of the store in my opinion; there’s plenty of vinyl, too, but I didn’t have time to flip through as much of that as I would have liked. The DVD/​Blu-​ray selection was the largest I’ve seen as well, though, again, I ran out of time to look at those items. They also had a music book selection that was pretty solid.
Bottom line: Amoeba is an incredible independent music/​media superstore that tops anything of its like that I’ve ever seen. I’m jealous of Bay Area residents for having two of these incredible stores in their backyard.

Last night I made the plunge…
I have to say that given my high hopes and expectations, I left somewhat disappointed. The place is large, and has lots of variety, particularly across neglected genres for some stores such as jazz, folk, country, and opera vocals. However, the majority of artists I was interested in (rock) had their selections all new, in shrink wrap, and commanding top dollar. I am not the pay-​through-​the-​nose so I can have a brand new copy of everything «collectible» guy; I’m the pay a few bucks for a nice used copy guy. This is not this store’s standard procedure. What little I found on the floor was generally uninspired, and I walked away with a few pieces for a good deal, but no more than any other smaller store I’ve been to.
I’ve heard that I can’t judge the brand by that one spot, and San Fran deserves its own visit (as I’m sure I’ll do for L.A. still), but I just wanted to put it out there so any of you who might feel left out could breathe a sigh of relief… (but don’t inhale deeply while in or near the Berkeley store)… There were about 8 dudes on the sidewalk who’d just set up shop there, like a time warp back to the sixties. They had collections of special rocks and who-​knows-​what-​else. Nobody bothering anyone, just taking up space on the sidewalk and hanging out.
Peace out,

If you’re looking for a specific artist or work and can’t find it at a certain ice cream store up the street, you’re bound to find it (or at least have a much better chance of finding it) at Amoeba. Great diversity and quality of selection here.
Although I can see why people have complained about selling to them, Amoeba’s picky curating is precisely the reason why their cult films don’t just consist of 10 copies of Nicolas Cage’s Wicker Man remake and why their experimental music section includes much more than just the same few Throbbing Gristle and John Zorn albums. It’s not perfect, but it’s certainly a breath of fresh air to know that weird tastes still have a niche here in Berkeley.

The smallest of the Amoeba stores… But don’t let that fool you! Plenty of gems to be found of these shelves!
I was in Berkeley with some time to kill, and a gift certificate in hand, what better place to go than Amoeba? Great staff was ready to help and let me check out records off the wall. I also found a few bargains VS their other locations!
One real downside… LOT’S of dead stock!
Great store to look for that elusive 7″ at though!

I’ve been shopping at this Amoeba location for a few years now and everytime I stop by I always end up leaving with a mountain of used dvds and cds in my arms and smile on my face. The staff is very friendly here and quick to offer assistance, which is good because they know quite a bit about their inventory (Especially the more obscure cult favorites). This place is definitely one of the only stores around that can keep my mind occupied for multiple hours at a time (Sometimes I dig through dvd bins for 2 hours or more and still never come close to seeing everything). Be sure to check this store out if your on Telegraph, and make sure that you rummage through the bargain bins (Tons of movies for $ 1-​$ 4).

Looking for obscure music to gift to your eclectic loved ones who enjoy CDs? Look no further than Amoeba!
I used to find myself in the huge main room seeking out mainstream artists, but now I find myself heading directly to the smaller back room to pick up various hits by artists whose names I cannot pronounce.
Yet, the staff *always* see to know *every single* artist and where they are located in the store. Props to them.
I made out like a bandit, thanks to my Groupon, their low used music prices, and a plentiful selection.

I never come back there. The worst customer service. We wondered around for one hour and no body helped us.
I returned the stuff less the one hour and I have been told there is no return and I can get credit to buy .
Horrible experience !!

You miss CDs when you go in here. They have a big variety of music. I love the world music section. Staff is friendly, chilly and very very knowledgeable.

Stay out of the vinyl section. Ya heard, This is my spot.
And s/​o to Evan who was extremely helpful in suggesting new artist based on the album’s I purchased.

Amoeba is pretty cool, but not on the same level as Dave’s Record Shop a few miles away — had to throw that out there.
Amoeba has a decent selection of crap, a small selection of interesting stuff.
I find the staff okay (kinda cool that there are still folks who can call a VINYL shop their career?!)
This is a tough rating… I’m not in love with the place, but I’m glad they exist.
3.6 stars, rounded up to 4.
PLEASE find me some Oasis LP’s…

I love this store more and more.
First of all the staff is really friendly and helpful. I love the fact that the employees (mostly in their 20’s and 30’s) always make me, an aging Baby Boomer feel welcome.
There are some place that are too hip and snobby to those of us not in the correct demographic groups… Amoeba is NOT one of these places. Yay!
When I walked in I asked if I could leave my bag (containing leftovers from Bongo Burger) and the staffer gently picked up my bag, treating it like a Ming vase (hey no exaggeration) and put it in a numbered cubby and gave me the matching clip.
Everything is well organized with easy to read signs above the aisles and in the sections. What a great collection of DVDs, CDs and Vinyls! I am so impressed that their collection of vinyls is so huge! I even saw the first LP I got as a kid when my dad proudly bought our first stereo — Alvin and the Chipmunks! I played that record at least a thousand times and will forever remember the lyrics to every song including the immortal hits – «Ragtime Cowboy Joe» and the «Christmas Song.» I was tempted to buy it but I let my self control take over (for once)
I actually came in to buy a gift certificate which I did purchase.
Son of Rinky found a couple of items.
Amoeba is the main reason I ever attempt to navigate the ambiance of Telegraph Ave!

Used music shops are not as common as they used to be, especially where I live, so visiting Amoeba for the first time in almost 8 years was like a breath of fresh air and a nice walk down memory lane. The place hasn’t changed much from what I remember — everything is nicely organized and alphabetized. Some stuff was a bit pricy, but I managed to find some really cool stuff nonetheless. The sales associate at the front who greeted me when I came in also rang me up, and she was very friendly and helpful.
Keep in mind that there is only street parking available, so make sure you bring a grip of quarters and dimes to feed that meter!

I love that I can call Amoeba, asked for a vinyl record, find out that it’s completely out of stock/​print then chat for 15 – 20 minutes about that particular band and how gnarly they are. Ok I don’t love the out of stock part but I still like this little shop on Telegraph. In short, it’s very… Berkeley.
My heart churns for Arctic Monkeys’s AM Deluxe LP.
Go indie record stores!

Amoeba is a great place to shop for used LPs! It is easy to lose track of time when picking through the bins for some solid gold hits, but it is never a dull task!
I don’t know how many LPs I’ve bought here over the years, but it is pretty substantial! I do know that my personal carry on when flying is a big-​ass bag of vinyl from here (and Rasputin’s up the street)!
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* I remember buying a super-​clean copy of The Beatles’ White Album here!

Amoeba has been on my mind since I read Vanessa S’s recent review. When the store offered a Groupon, I saw it has some kind of sign that it was time to go music shopping. Perhaps I could add something to my play-​in-​the-​car collection.
The store seems very well organized. It looks like there is something for everyone here in the two large rooms. There were also two people who were old enough to know the artist I was looking for and point me in the right direction. There were also younger employees who were helpful.
I did find some CDs that were just what I was looking for. I’ve been enjoying dead singer’s concerts every since I went.
I suspect that many people would think that a music or record store is anachronism. The ability to download music, burn CDs and share the music for a little cost has really changed the music world. Yet, there it is still something satisfying about going into a store like Amoeba and finding a gem to take home.
I do like to support a local business. I will definitely be stopping at this store again.