Left of the Dial Records

Once again, I return to Left of the Dial, post-​Black Friday (a la what I like to call Beige Saturday) to see any leftover RSD Black Friday goodies. I was not disappointed. I was hoping there would be a copy of Judas Priest’s «Painkiller» EP limited edition buzzsaw-​shaped record, and there it was! I also picked up a liberal amount of jazz albums — with Geoff and CJ both, as usual, eager to help a brotha out.
I especially appreciate the time they take to talk shop with me. Geoff has a knack for remembering rather well my last visit half a year ago and continue conversation. If I was able to return every day, I totally would. Thanks again for being rad and being my local record store.

Bargain hunter here. Anytime I go to a record shop, I have my phone with me, checking on eBay, amazon, and discogs to make sure I’m getting a good deal. Happy to say that I got a good deal on the records I got. He’s got a good selection of Jazz, which is rare for most record stores, plus he had some kyuss and OM records, which is usually stuff you’d have to buy online. Also the owner is a super nice guy, the store is really well kept, and everything is organized very well.

This place is pretty OK, owner is a nice guy. But, as others have mentioned, pricing is a bit steep on used stuff. Owner has mentioned that he uses
to price which probably is the problem:
is an auction results aggregator, which means that the prices he finds are what someone, somewhere paid for an item on an auction website like eBay. Anyone has purchased anything on an auction site will know that something is really «worth» what someone will pay for it. Because someone once paid 50.00 for something they had to have (impulse purchase) doesn’t mean that is what the item is «worth.» Perhaps a better pricing model would be to base the selling price on a formula like «3 or even 4X what was paid for the item.» Say store buys a stack of records, gave the seller 3 bucks apiece. Sticker price would be 9 or even 12 bucks. Make the next purchaser feel that they are getting a deal, plus you’ve (the seller) have tripled or even quadrupled your money. How isn’t anything beyond this gouging? Before someone says that this scheme is crazy, just know that I buy from several record stores that do just that, and I drop cash at those places. Otherwise I would sit at home and shop on eBay all day long. Brick and mortars shouldn’t try to compete on this level. But, collecting vinyl is cool again, and with so many people in SoCal, I guess there will always be someone who WILL gladly pay eBay prices in a small, indie shop. Just not me so much.

A smaller store, but with a good selection at good prices. Owner was a cool and knowledgeable guy. Will definitely go back when I’m in the area.

Great selection of Vinyl. Knowledgeable and friendly staff. Parking is tough on the weekends especially if there is an event going on.

Great store. Lot’s of fun finds in here. The owner Jeff is super friendly and knowledgeable.
Another fun perk is the collection of vintage clothes for sale.
Posters and other neat little items for sale too

Small, intimate and a throwback to days long past. It was a joy to find the shop in a building with awesome character which blends well with the style of the shop. You go inside and it’s like stepping back into time where one or two people worked the store and had the passion to know exactly what they were selling. I found the stock to well laid out and fairly priced for the average records. I’m not a collector in the pure sense so I cannot comment on the pricing for the more rare collectible records but they seemed to be fair based on what I’ve seen in other stores. I brought my kids along with me who had never been in a «record store» of any kind and they were intrigued by the large albums, the cool album art, liner notes and all the rest. I was even able to show them some 8 tracks: D I found some awesome vintage blues and more modern Fleetwood Mac live album plus a couple of others. I’ll be back with a mind for more serious mining for some audio gold and add to my fledgling collection of vinyl. Someone was talking about prices and in both cases I mention here, I was under 8 dollars for each record (live was a bit more being a double album). Thats less than a cheap lunch and certainly more enjoyable. And for 8 dollars each, neither were beat up or abused vinyl. The staff was friendly and you could tell they enjoyed their job. In my case, we had a short conversation about how unusual the blues album was with an two page advertisement for antidepressants inside the cover: D

Great place to buy new and used vinyls. I found a record I was trying to find for awhile, Megadeth’s first record «Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good» on limited edition colored vinyl. The owner played Rush’s «Moving Pictures» record and it was an original, he’s a cool dude.

Today was my first time in this shop but it was pretty cool. They have quite a collection of different genres of music in vinyls and 45s. I myself picked up a Sugerhill Gang vinyl for only $ 4.99. In the condition it was in it was a smart buy. There were no scratches or marks, showing me that they care about their inventory. When I had a question about replacing parts for my record player they referred me to
. It was a nice experience and felt the employees were helpful.

This place is awesome! Great variety for music addicts like myself… totally worth checking out. You will find hidden gems for all genres. Music lovers must in Santa Ana!

This place is great! Left of the Dial has an amazing selection, honest pricing, and a knowledgeable and friendly staff. I can’t say enough good things about this record store, it is definitely worth a visit!
I would like to emphasize that I have been shopping at Left of the Dial for a few years and I disagree with reviewers who are accusing this store of having out of control prices, Left of the Dial has always sold their merchandise at a fair and reasonable price.

This place is the best!
There’s nothing worse than walking into a record store and dealing with smug jerks that snicker when you pick up a Chicago record. Such a relief to find a place I can buy whatever strikes my fancy without the attitude.
The owner is knowledgable and super kind. Never have I seen a record that wasn’t worth its price tag. Great selection with gems hidden throughout. I never walk out without finding something I’m truly excited by.
Parking is always a breeze for me — just remember to bring quarters!
Highly, highly recommend this place!

One of the best record stores in the area love their selection, prices and staff. Found some great records at honest prices highly recommend this spot.

Ive been in here a couple of times and have never bought anything here. Some of the prices are out of control high. I dig for records all over California and have to say. Not really impressed by the selection and prices. Not down to pay $ 30.00 for a beat up Clash-​Combat Rock… really? That vinyl is dime a dozen.
I’ll stick to Port of Sound

Thanks, Unilocal for pointing this location out for me! I have been trying to track down some original vinyls for my father to no avail. I strolled in to Left of the Dial after a day of jury duty and was greeted by a very helpful employee (I forget his name but he acted like he might have also been the owner).
We talked about what I was looking for and he did agree that he does see them come through but that they don’t last on shelves for very long. I told him it was for my dad & he took down my information and said that he would call the second anything came in. That’s awesome! I can’t wait to return to finish my music quest!

I see a number of enthusiasts giving this place glowing reviews, and I probably stick out a bit because I felt their prices were high for a number of used titles I had seen for less elsewhere.
I should say, though, that what they did have had outer jackets in good shape, a sleeve for the jacket, and everything in the store was well kept and organized.
I wound up finding some rare old Sesame Street and Disney records which took me back to my childhood (I now have a couple kids so I wanted to surprise them with something special as they seem to appreciate listening with me). For those pieces, I thought their prices were okay, I got three titles for $ 20. For the rest, though, those kinds of prices in many cases I thought was excessive. We’re talking the pieces in the unsorted boxes on the floor, not the prominent show pieces on displays or anything.
Their staff is also very courteous and helpful, so props to them. There is parking, but not enough for all the shops in the immediate area, so that can be a pain. Bring coin as most everything is metered also.

Great little shop. Carries good selection of indie, rock, and eclectic pressings; his musical taste is varied, & the shop reflects it. Great little used gems, reasonably priced (Classical selection is super nice). Probably my go-​to store for RSD specialties. Good to see him surviving the mp3 debacle & thriving in the ‘newfound’ sensibility trend. Ain’t generation boom trends a wonderful thing? Sold a nice stack of 90’s/00’s platters, got a great price, so if you’re an avid collector, you’ll do fine selling off your dupe’s or overstock! Much easier than selling piecemeal online, much nicer experience than Amoeba or Port of Sound (no hipster attitude, thanks). Not as wide-​ranging or square footage large as those stores, but if you collect records or have an extensive & eclectic taste in music, this store is where you shop; Geoff loves music as much as you do– it’s just like a chef that loves food, the passion & obsession passes on & when there’s only so many dishes made… it’s nice to have a ‘chef’ who’ll do their utmost to get your ‘dish’ in!
what a confusing analogy. or metaphor. whatever.

One of the better place to buy records in Orange County. This place is neat and well organized with record dividers for most artists to make it easier to get in and out fast if you know what you need. The prices are moderate, not cheap, but the selection is good and the quality of the records is very good to mint condition. As a record collector I have too many records and have shopped in most of the record stores in LA, Orange County, and San Diego as well as garage sales, estate sales etc.

This happens to be my favorite record shop. In fact my sister and I refer to the owner Geoff as «our guy». Left of the Dial has an amazing selection of both new and used records in great condition and nothing is ever over priced! What I also love about the store is that the owner is not only knowledgable but super nice and approachable… There is no cooler than thou pretentious air about this store which I LOVE! I always make this spot my first stop when going on a record hunt. I suggest y’all do the same :)

Excellent varied vinyl collection at this store. Top marks from me. It was nice to meet Geoff and pleasure visit his store.