Revolver Records

I just went here for the first time while out on a hunt for a set of 80s bookshelf speakers. They didn’t have what I was looking for, although they had plenty of nice speakers and other neat stuff. It’s very small, but the atmosphere is nice and the staff is friendly. I ended up leaving with a book after browsing for a few minutes.

I’ve never seen a larger $ 1 vinyl collection than the two Revolver Records locations in town here. This one, however, gives little consideration to the condition of many of these, which even the checkout clerk went so far as to say in many cases belongs in the dumpster. I’d gladly pay $ 1.99 and $ 2.99 all day long for pieces in good condition for the same title than $ 1 for most of the tenderized pieces they had here, but I took a chance on some which looked to be in decent shape. The other location, on 2^nd street, which I visited later the same day is definitely a cut above this spot, and there is more staff there (location is larger and sells a variety of other things as well). Seems the decision maker is there too, I asked if they had any Stevie Wonder, and he guided me to where I’d already looked and only found one album under Misc W. «He’s black, so he’s in Soul». I told him at the other location he was in Jazz, which is why I was double-​checking. I was all but called a liar.
The same clerk who confided the decision maker is a pack rat also didn’t seem to know his own stock. I asked if they had any Styx, and he didn’t think so. Found over a dozen in the dollar bins, already had the ones I found. Asked if they had ZZ Top, Rush, and Paul Revere and the Raiders. Wasn’t sure.
The records playing on the stereo (I’m glad they were vinyl, at least) in a few cases were quite distorted, I would’ve picked something nicer. At least they’re playing what they have available, but they could’ve put a better foot forward than the tired $ 1 Jackson Browne album I struggled to listen to.
The variety is amazing if you have a couple hours to weed through all the filler, the better stuff is all alphabetized, but like other places things wind up in the wrong spot, so patience is a virtue.
With my large stash in hand, I’m guessing 20+ albums, I exited after haggling the price down even further, so victory is mine, assuming they sound ok when I get home…

Great prices and good selection. Really like this store compared to the larger ones in the area. First, staff is very helpful and friendly. Secondly, found a lot of great music that the bigger store should have had but didn’t. Finally, I have not spent more than $ 2 on any vinyl I have gotten from there.

They have amazing stuff in those $ 1 bins! They’ve got a pretty decent selection of records, and they’ll help you find what you’re looking for. I’ve definitely added Revolver visits it to my weekly routine.

All I have to say is $ 1 bin. So far, Otis Redding, Ray Charles and Solomon Burke duo album, Roberta Flack, Slim Whitman (just kidding, I didn’t buy that but it’s probably still there if you’re interested), Buddy Holly, Simon and Garfunkel and Nina Simone — all $ 1. Okay, a few were scratched but I’m not a collector nor am I going to cry over a $ 1 when my favorite track sounds like a bad loop. However, if you’re into impressing your friends with scratched records, you’re in luck because they have tons.
The selection is a bit scant if you’re looking outside of the dollar bins, but the quality is there to make up for it and the prices aren’t ridiculous. The Tempe location doesn’t compare to the Phoenix location either, but the only real local competition is Zia and when I add up the total hours of work I had to do to buy an album there, I always end up giving em’ the olé «it’s not you, it’s me». Plus, their grab bags might as well be called «estate sale reject surprise bags» because I got one for Christmas and the South Pacific soundtrack and holiday compilations don’t qualify as exciting grabs.
The store is small but even in elbow-​to-​elbow traffic, I don’t feel flustered. They also adjust the music volume according to current customer volume which is a big plus since I’m not a fan of having people shout my total to me in a store with only 3 people inside.
Overall, I love this store, I really do. I’ve never regretted a purchase and I’ve never left empty handed. If you don’t like it, give it a week and check the stock again, there is always something. Seriously though, dollar bin, worth the knee-​cramp every time.

Nice compact local record store. They have both vinyl and CD merchandise and a small selection of used turntables, amplifiers, and speakers. My husband had purchased some of his huge record collection here.
Now that my husband has passed away, I am in the process of finding new homes for his many hobbies. I have made 4 trips to Revolver to sell some of his record collection, they carefully look through his records, check each one for condition, and make a fair offer. Once the weather cools off again, I will bring the rest of his collection here.
Whether you are buying or selling vinyl or CDs, this gem at Southern and McClintock is the place to go. Parking is plentiful and the staff is helpful.

Hands down — one of the best record shops I’ve ever had the pleasure of scouting! The genre choice is abundant, the local supply is ample, and the quality of the used and vintage stuff is unsurpassed. Above all this is the pricing of the items, which is undeniably fair! If you’re thinking about getting back into vinyl or if (like me) you’re looking to add to your audiophile collection, this is the place to score. Enjoy!

This place is everything you want from a small, local record store.
Revolver is small, but when you walk in, the atmosphere makes up for it. Immediately, the smell of old vinyl fills your nose (along with some nag champa incense, not bad at all) and the scratchy pops of a record playing over the store’s speakers will lull you into musical nirvana.
I’d never heard of this tiny place, and I frequent this intersection of Southern and McClintock pretty often (what up, Sprouts?). Revolver is tucked away on the southwest corner of the intersection, right behind (south of) Xtreme Bean Coffee. I wandered in tonight in search of inexpensive vinyl to use in an art project and I couldn’t have been happier with the selection. Underneath the main bins of albums, there are many cardboard boxes filled with records for $ 1 a piece. I was expecting some random, weirdo, obscure shit that I’d never heard of (thus justifying the $ 1 price tag), but I was genuinely surprised and delighted at the selection to be had.
I will be back! Great little no-​frills record store.

As a fan of collecting, digging and looking for records, this place is a must. The selection for soul, jazz, hip hop and rare groove is second to none in the valley. Everything is priced to sell– staff knows there stuff. I swing by here at least twice a month.

Hate to do this to the new location but honestly speaking, it’s simply just an average record store. Nothing really stands out about it. The prices are comparable to other record stores in the Phoenix/​Tempe area, the selection is nothing to write home about, and most of the vinyl (not even considering the $ 1 ones) are in fairly poor condition. Understandable when you’re examining a 40 year old vinyl that was average quality to begin with but still, some quality control or better pricing on these records would be much appreciated!
Positives do exist here though! The staff is always friendly and the two times I’ve been to this location have led to interesting conversations with really musically knowledgable guys. Also it’s in a fairly low key location which means you’ll have almost the entire store to yourself when you’re browsing. No pressure.
It’s worth a visit though! The world needs more local record shops so try and stop by to support the cause. Even an average real record store beats the hell out of an F. Y. E!

FIRST, loved this place plenty of help. Well organized GREAT PRICES cool gear and we found some 80’s metal and KISS records we have been looking for and not at ridiculous prices. Reminds me of ROADS TO MOSCOW in the 80’s! This place may put some price gougers out of business (Zias on University)