Record Shak Record Shop

Record Shak brings back great memories of buying vinyl when I was a teenager in the 90’s (I never got into CD’s) and now that I live in the neighbourhood, it’s a great shop to pop into every now and then.
This shop has always had stuff I’ve wanted and there’s music I probably wouldnt have gone for until I was recommended it by the dude behind the counter.
The fact that it’s outlasted Our Price, Virgin, Woolies and soon to be HMV says it all for local record shops and for this one in particular. It also has a community notice board for people looking for musicians, flats to let and lessons etc.

I am definitely no DJ /​MC /​mixmaster funkologist (though that does sound quite cool) but I do like my vinyls. They have a certain retro cool, and I like the sound of them as opposed to CDs, they feel a bit more natural. If you are at all into your records then definitely come here. They have a huge selection of vinyls, with nearly all genres covered. There are some really obscure gems like 13^th Floor Elevators, or if you want something a bit more mainstream like The Clash, they have it all.
As you’ve probably noticed from the two previous bands, they tend to sell older music, especially from the 60s and 70s, but there is a good selection of modern stuff. The main genres you’ll find are rock, indie, jazz and blues, and there is a noticeable lack or RnB and Hip Hop. However despite this the store is perfect for nearly all your musical needs, and if stuck just ask the owner, who has an incredible knowledge of music and is happy to recommend new artists to you, or have a chat about an old favourite.

I had just bought the Grease soundtrack and vinyl and was high on life when I walked into the Record Shak Record Shop, clutching the record for dear life. I was with a friend of mine who’s also really into records. There’s a great range of pop, funk, rock and jazz music, but sadly no hip hop or r&b. There’s nothing new here and its clientele are older record collectors. Not to say I have any objections at all to old records. I’m dying to get my greedy hands on some Elvis. But I’d also like the option of getting some De La Soul or Handsome Boy Modelling School.
It’s on Nicolson Street, right next to the Apothecary. The guy who works there had good suggestions, and an encyclopaedic knowledge of music, without being pretentious about it. Definitely a place to stop by if you’re into your records.

I’ve only had one browse through Record Shak, but it was so perfect I don’t really feel the need to return anytime soon.
They had both 99 Luftbalons and Burning Love by Elvis on vinyl. I left a few pounds poorer but a few orders of magnitude happier.

Record Shak is amazing. I’m convinced almost every record produced under the sun has wound up in one of their boxes — you’ll be hard pushed to find better selection elsewhere. From pschycadelic music to old folk and blues, I lost count of the amount of appealing albums I found when I had a root around.
They have a number of second hand CD’s, but by far and away their biggest strength is their record collection. They had some rare finds in here that I’m gathering were never sold in shops. One notable example was a Dead Kennedy’s demo that looks like a promo copy since I’ve never seen it before.
Because of the good condition of the records and their rarity, they are quite costly. Some were as much as £18 which, unforuntately, takes them out my price range for the moment. But it implies they are of value, and certainly the choice and condition of the records in the Shak speaks for itself.
It may be too expensive for me at the moment, but I will still sing Record Shak’s praises. There aren’t many record stores like this left intact, so we must celebrate what we have left! And with the outstanding albums available in store, it’s an asset to Edinburgh’s music scene.

I don’t know about you but I love record shops that pin sleeves on their walls. It shows that the staff are fanatical about music and usually spend their own pounds and pennies on rare 45s and 33s.
That definitely seems to be the case at Record Shak where they stock everything from jazz, blues, soul and reggae to folk, country, pop and classical. Most of the stock is secondhand vinyl or CDs but if you look closely, you’ll also find some new gems scattered around. Last time I visited, I was lucky enough to find some early Tom Waits albums and an Art Ensemble of Chicago record with some awesome free jazz freakouts.
Local musicians should note they also have a noticeboard advertising forthcoming gigs and bands looking for new singers, drummers and guitarists. Sadly, my own talents don’t stretch that far. (:

It’s amazing that a shop like this can survive not only with the supremacy of large record shops but also the digital music download trend. It shows the persevering strength of such independent shops.
Record Shak sells CDs but specialises in vinyl. In this they have great selection of new and old. It’s an eclectic mix. Expect to find some great surprises but expect to pay fair a amount for them. Having said this you can come away with some real bargain that you’d be paying the same amount for or more online.
The shop has a cool feel inside. The walls are covered in records! It feels unique; the sort of feeling you could only get in an independent shop like it. The staff seem nice and knowledgeable.
A great little independent record store that you’ll keep coming back to rake through.

No matter what new music technology comes out, it will still be fashionable to have a collection of good ol’ vinyl and no matter what anyone says it’s just plain cool.
Record Shak Shop is a rather pricey yet quite decent music store of Edinburgh where you can stock up on your vinyl collection. It doesn’t have your usual top chart tunes so if you are a big music fan you can find a unique piece or two.

Vinyl is something of a novelty buy these days, with the more modern CD decks and computer mixing programmes taking the lead.
Trying to tempt customers back to the traditional format of music is the Record Shack. Stocking rare and unusual records yet keeping a grip on new releases, they offer plenty of choice.
Expect to pay for the novelty, though, vinyl here sells for around £13−20 pounds.

Agree with other reviewers, but would emphasize that this shop is very much more «specialist» than «mainstream». You will have to wait at least thirty years to find Lady Ga-​ga, Susan Boyle or whoever won X-​Factor last week in these bins (and even if you do wait that long, I suspect you will still be disappointed).
They stock new as well as second-​hand CDs. For example, a large fraction of the ECM catalogue (avant-​garde jazz and classical) is usually available. This is the sort of place you would go looking for the latest Varese or Hanrahan.
Also, a good fraction of the LPs are seriously obscure and on that account the prices are sometimes high.

One of the best stores in Edinburgh for vinyl, they always have a great selection, loads of bargains and some rarities for the distinguished collector. The owner really knows his stuff so if you’re looking for something obscure, ask him, he’s an encyclopaedia of knowledge! There’s also a huge selection of CDs and cassettes and a great notice board full of hilarious musicians-​sought ads. Definitely worth a browse! :)

I love this little shop!
Crammed full of the most eclectic mix of music on vinyl, CD and even cassette!
Take the time to peruse the records with no ‘surly faced, spotty, goth teen sporting the latest in eyeball piercing’ «staff» shoving you out the way and enjoy the tranquility that only true musos find rummaging through the Tom Waits back catalogue of dreams.
Forget HMV and Virgin people, this is what a true record shop is supposed to be like.
Especially great selection of Jazz.

This is your old-​style music store. Specialising in records and proud to be stuck in the past. They do offer a range of CDs, but the focus is very much on vinyl. It is a friendly, sweet little shop that is a pleasure to rummage around in. There is still something special about shopping for records, especially in a shop that puts so much care and thought into their stock. You’re not especially likely to pick up a bargain, but then record buying is often more about picking up a memory; re-​discovering a forgotten gem.