Local staple! Tiny shop full of hidden treasures if you know how to look. Occasionally you see an unbelievable deal on a used vinyl! I have spent hours flipping through covers here. And the clerk that doubles as a DJ throws down some good stuff! read more

Came into town to visit and found this little record shop that actually had live music happening for customers that were shopping in the store! It's a small but mighty business that was very welcoming and friendly. A great selection of hard to find vinyls as well as other cool stuff! The price is a little steep but if you're looking for something you MUST have, it's worth the price! Next time you are in Santa Cruz be sure to check them out ! read more

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Great vinyl record store! Not sure if he's the owner, but the guy working there has excellent taste in music. He was super kind and let us exchange a Sade vinyl we forgot we had purchased a few days earlier for a Janet Jackson record, which was really appreciated. The shop is very clean, well organized, and easy to browse. Will definitely be back. Parking was a bit challenging, but found a parking lot close by. read more

Redwood Records - Janet Jackson Velvet Rope - Vinyl Records Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Extremely rude staff and even ruder management. Don't ask them any questions unless you want to be ignored. Not a friendly store like they claim to be. read more

Great, organized selection. Easy street parking. Friendly, knowledgeable staff and great music playing. Also there's a super friendly shop dog. Great spot to go if you're shopping downtown. read more

Lovely people! The owner/staff were super nice and awesome! :) Nice selection, and records were very well organized. They have both new and used records as well as a wide selection of genres! read more

I love the one star review. Complaining about pretentious record store staff is like bitching about the bar serving cold beer. If you've been collecting that long you'd have gotten over it by now. Having said that, good selection of current releases from labels and artists both pop and obscure. I like it for foreign, indie, or underground. Some punk and metal too. Worth a visit if you collect a broad spectrum. read more

What's there to say about Metal vinyl that hasn't been said already? I wanted to upgrade the needle on my cartridge and the ones on Amazon were either too cheap or too expensive and I found one here at a great price. This shop has something for everyone the employees here are awesome and helped me find the right needle for my cartridge. I have been coming here for years, but lately making weekly trips to check on their record inventory, or to upgrade parts on my turntable. Rarely do I leave without buying something. When I got home I attached my needle to the existing headshell, then made sure the stylus point and cartridge were lined up properly, with no probelm at all. Then I set my tracking arm counterweight to 2.0 gram. Upon dropping the needle on the 1978 debut Van Halen LP, I immediatley noticed a wider dynamic range, very clear and crisp highs. Although I have a basic setup I noticed a big difference from my speakers too. Overall; there's a reason this shop is so popular and making a bigger names for itself, they got you. Please, support a local business like this - thank you and I look foward to my next visit. read more

Redwood Records - This little stylus packs quite a punch - Vinyl Records Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Stopped by on a Sunday night almost closing. Was in a pinch because of some fraud on my checking account. Needed to raise a few bucks for gas/coffee money until new debit card arrived. Ive always shopped at Meta, but this was my first experience with the redwood boys and they check out too! Gave me a more than fair offer when I probably woulda taken whatever they threw at me. Nice to see some honor amongst vinyl heads. New owners definetely keeping the torch lit and I promise you, you don't want to go to streetlight. Right on Redwood! read more

Redwood records is the best, always friendly and welcoming, amazing selection of new and used records. Can always find something good here. Love coming here while visiting santa cruz. read more

Had to throw up a 5 star after they honored an old gift card from the Metavinyl days. Super cool of them to do that and Jared behind the counter gave me some recommendations in their amazing boutique labels section. Really happy with the 45s I got and will be back every time I'm in town. Thank you!! read more

I've been putting off writing this review for years. You know when you have a favorite spot, one that you want to see do well, but also that you want to keep for yourself? Metavinyl is one of those places for me. I can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon than looking through their $1 bins -they're some of the best in the greater Bay Area. read more

Really nice Record Store/Turntable Store in Downtown area of Santa Cruz. Always try to stop there when I'm visiting my son at UC. A good eclectic mix of LP's that appeal to my taste(60's 70's rock/prog/pop). Good prices on used items. Always leave with a stack of records read more

I go there a couple of times a month. Always end up with a few records. Great place. Staff leaves you to it but always help if you ask. And I usually ask. read more

I got recommended to come here by a different record shop down the street because I had questions about a needle for an inherited record player. The man who helped me was super helpful and helped me on the spot. He even put the needle on his turntable behind the counter just to make sure it worked correctly. As I walked around I was impressed by his record collection for sale and they were at super reasonable prices. I can't wait to go back and have a more thorough look to help support this local business. Great place to stroll through but also they sell some parts and helpful necessities for your vinyl needs. Check them out!! read more

The worst. Overpriced, pretentious, and terrible customer service and attitude. I've been collecting records 25+ years. This is the worst experience and worst shop I've ever been to. Skip it and walk 1 block to streetlight. read more

Small space full of carefully curated music and ephemera. You can feel safe buying used vinyl here as they only seem to stock top grade stuff. Sections of punk, metal, and soundtracks are always interesting. Prices are very good on new vinyl but a little 'hit and miss' on used. For the locals I'm certain the prices are awesome by comparison to Streetlight and LOGO's but for those of us that travel I just have the attitude of "I'm gonna find that for $8 someday!" (and I can't pull the trigger on $15) But I've bought plenty of stuff there and I always try to stop in while in Santa Cruz! See ya again soon Metavinyl! read more

i've seen the guys from here buying records at streetlight and logos for $1-$5 then see the same records at their shop for $15-$30; and i know it's the very same copy because i saw the huge scratch in it when i looked at it at streetlight. LAME. fine for new vinyl, for used vinyl go to streetlight, logos, or bargain barn. don't even get me started on their pretentious attitudes, either. update: with regard to the owner's comments below, i'm happy to forward anyone our email exchange which includes details of the events that i witnessed, and his response. how could this possibly be a personal attack when i've never met him and my only interaction with him is his messaging me to call me a liar (which of course hardly inspires me to take down my review)? the exchange has only worsened my opinion of him, which in turn makes me even less likely to encourage anyone to shop in his store. regardless, if you'd like details, feel free to message me. read more

I have nothing but great things to say about Metavinyl. The selection is always new and fresh, plus the owner Paul is super helpful and informative. Ive have bought Tons and tons of records, sleeves and accessories there without any problems. Not to mention they carry a good selection of any genre your looking for AND have a killer dollar bin! I dig at Streetlight, Logos, and Metavinyl daily and in my personal opinion Metavinyl blows the competition out of the water. read more

This has become my favorite record store. A great selection of new and used LP's. You can also get a cartridge, stylus or entire turntable there. Great prices. I don't know the owners name, but he's super nice and I asked him to pick out a German electronic record for me, and I ended up really digging it. He always has great music playing on a really nice turntable and speakers with fantastic sound. I wish he'd setup a little stand to put album covers on that says "NOW PLAYING", so I could check out what awesome music choices he's playing for the store, without bugging him. A+ Do yourself a favor and check it out. read more

Dope records here. Definitely deserve support for keeping phonograms alive. Good quality used wax for $1 Thanks Metavinyl read more

Nice store, reasonable prices. Good variety. Wish I had the time to look at the lower bins. Worth stopping by.

For those of us who love vinyl and independent record stores, Santa Cruz is a pretty decent place to live. How many communities of any size can boast three record stores in a few block radius? Support them folks because they are a dying breed and we'll miss them if they go away. Anyway, I recently discovered Metavinyl after frequenting Logos for years. Now, I split my business between the two. I bought a fabulous record player at Metavinyl recently and just love it. Not a huge selection of records but enough to keep me coming back. They have new stuff and a decent $1 rack. They also sell accessories. Service is very friendly. read more

As a former Santa Cruz record shop employee, I can say with some authority that there has not been a record store this good in this town for 15+ years. Owner knows his stuff, has great suggestions, makes music himself (which he is happy to talk about), and has the best collection of high-quality vinyl I've seen in a while. No flea market/thrift store/garage sale junk here. Prices are reasonable (a signed, circa-1998 Stone's Throw double LP of Madlib beats for $15; recording of Alan Shepard's 1961 space flight for $5; Klatuu record for $5) and selection is fantastic. If you're looking for a place to name drop or pose, look elsewhere. If you're looking for something to push the limits of your music tastes and want to chat with people seek the same, you've come to the right place. read more

Always my first stop when I go shopping for vinyl in Santa Cruz. They don't have the biggest selection of used vinyl, but they have an excellent selection of new vinyl. They're probably the least pretentious and most helpful people you'll ever encounter at a record store. I've gone in many times and asked for opinions on genres I don't know much about and they've always been super helpful guiding me to a great record. They even take used vinyl out and play it for me to see if I like it! It's the only place I go for needles. They have shows too! I'm not sure what happened to yelper Maggie when she went there, but I've had the exact opposite experience as her. I've even seen records going for $20 - $30 at Logos for sale here for $5. Ya know Maggie, it's possible for 2 different records to have scratches in them right? It also makes a lot of sense to me, that if you find a rare or valuable record underpriced somewhere else, buy it and sell it for what it's worth! read more

I shop at Metavinyl, and I think the place is great. There's a verity of used records from dollar bin to high end of every type, I like to poke around and see what's come in. They have a selection of new and hard to find records that are competitively priced. I would recommend them to anybody on vinyl safari that's coming through Santa Cruz. They have stereo equipment and turntables. The proprietor is friendly and knowledgeable about audio equipment and does some repair/maintenance. I have personally referred many people to Meta to answer turntable questions. From a local who shops there regularly, I highly recommend Metavinyl! read more

Metavinyl is a must-visit if you are heading to Santa Cruz looking for records. It is insanely organized, labeled, and has a killer selection of Indie, rap, and reasonably priced used stuff. Also has some fantastic record players in the back and recently added some new shelves to better organize other genres. Cool place indeed. Check it out for yourself! read more

This record store is so amazing I like to go in there and just sit on the couch or sweet old arm chairs and soak up the atmosphere. There is always a good record on, interesting art on the walls, and you will find records you can't get anywhere else in town. The employees are always friendly, helpful, and happy to give you information about records you might like, or how to improve your listening set-up, just ask! Great selection of new and used records, and they won't sell you any of that scratched-up crap the other stores in town sell! In fact, they will GIVE you less-than-perfect records for free in a bin by the door. Check the front window for the dates of their free in-store shows. Metamusic is a very laid-back, homey, record store...you can't help but feel good (and maybe even cool) when you're there. I highly recommend! read more

Back when this place opened it was Metamusic, and the idea of a full vinyl store stocking new music and some pricey old stuff seemed to me like a recipe for not staying in business. But I was wrong, and the place has evolved into a nice spot for the college crowd. Last time I was in there they played a record for me, then this guy went and got his ipod and they let him put it on in the store; pretty cool. Vinyl is expensive and mostly new, except for the dollar section which is mostly crap but might have something every once in a while. read more

This store may be tiny, but they pack a mean selection of records into their bins. Rock, metal, and electronic sections were the biggest, with a large $1 bin as well. The prices are slightly higher than you'd pay at a chain store, but that's to be expected when you support a small business. read more

Rad little vinyl store. I bought a turntable and records from them a month or two ago. Easy to work with and friendly staff. Thanks for all of the help in answering questions! read more

Love this store. I always leave it with a few records in hand. Staff is very helpful when you ask for help. Otherwise they just leave you to look on your own. read more

What I loved about this place was that they separated the quality vinyl recordings from the rest, along with the desirable titles to make things easy to find. The store is not big so that's also the best way to sell their higher priced stock. Great place to find what your looking for and get quality. Will be back again! read more

Metavinyl is the perfect DIY record store. Albeit small, their collection is top notch and tastefully selected. Highly recommend.

I'll add to the excellent reviews here. One of the very best vinyl store that I have been to, certainly the best in Santa Cruz. Full service, with good technical knowledge of turntables and accessories. Their vinyl collection is exceedingly well kept and organized. Prices are reasonable. Best of all are their used records -- all top notch both in selection but especially in condition. Unlike other places (sorry logos), I've never gotten a bad album here. Fun, funky vibe in this tiny gem of a shop. Must check out if you are ever in Santa Cruz and are into vinyl. read more

Okay, so I was a bit torn about which way to go on this place. The selection here is a bit different than some of the other places that sell records in town... and by "other places" I mean Streetlight and Logos. I've found some LP's here I wouldn't have found anywhere else, such as the Appleseed Cast and a lot of Saddle Creek stuff. They charge an arm and a leg for pretty much everything, however, and you'll get excited about finding a certain record and then feel let down by realizing it's $26. Also, I find the staff to be a bit too elitist for my taste. Hell, I'm already a college student who buys his music in LP form... how am I still not enough of an obnoxious hipster? One time I came in and asked if they sold a needle to fit the player I had at a time, and the clerk looked up, sneered a bit, and said, "Get a REAL turntable." That was a bit obnoxious. One good thing is that if you don't like spending a lot of time browsing, they list their inventory online, along with prices, so you can come in with an idea of the kind of records they have. In the meantime I've bought records from this store twice, walked out disappointed three or four times, and when given a choice I would prefer doing my shopping at Streetlight, and I recommend the same to you. read more

I came here with a friend who was picking up tickets for an event. I left scoring a Eric Clapton/Yardbirds album for five bucks, and with a mental note to go back for the reaaaaally early Floyd stuff when I've got a few more pennies to spare. There are some gems of originals mixed in with the hiphop and reissues. I have to say that I was expecting the place to be too hip for words, but the staff was friendly and it had a supercasual vibe. Some really neat artwork hanging up, too. I have to dock a star though. My sweet Clapton album that seemed like such a score ended up being warped when I got it home. Like, so badly warped it looked a bit like a ruffly hem. More warp than a loom. More warp than the USS Enterprise. Yeah. And the cover was so moldy and damp when I took it out of the plastic sleeve that Clapton's picture stuck to it and pulled right off the jacket. I suppose that's what I get for not checking it out in the store, but what kind of place short of a garage sale sells moldy, damp vinyl? Ick. But IT WORKED and it sounded great, so I only feel a little ripped off. And I really want that Floyd, so I'll most likely stop by on my next trip to SC. Oh, and they have matchbooks instead of business cards! read more

METAVINYL has the best dollar bin(s) I've come across... worth the dig. The store is organized and has fair prices. Always looking forward to visiting the store. read more

A pretty cool selection of hip hop 12". Theres also a lot of re-issues of classic funk and jazz albums here. The 12" are priced pretty high though. Not too surprising for a small music store primarily selling hip hop wax though. There was a dude mixing underground hip hop when I came in. Mostly living legends, o.c., etc. It was cool. They also have some needles and turntable equipment under glass in the front. Cool to browse, don't think I'd really drop 12$ to get the blackstar 12" of respiration that I bought for 6$ when it came out. But oh well. read more

I LOVED this place. I paid a visit in August while in Santa Cruz and was astonished with their bargain bin. It has an enormous selection of records. A big sum of the records were older music from the 60-80's but that was perfect for me. Everything in the bargain bin was a dollar and definitely a steal! I'm never forgetting this place. I'm going to be in SF in a couple weeks and I'm making sure to stop by here before I go back to the valley. read more