EVERY DAY
IS RECORD STORE DAY!
A GUIDE TO VINYL RECORD STORES IN MUNICH

Brought to you by HeartFirst Records, a punk vinyl label and mailorder.  

Sometimes friends come to town and ask me about used record stores in Munich. Which ones would I recommend. In the past, I have seen some rather incomplete or outdated lists on the web, but maybe my musical focus is just different. So I have compiled some info here which I hope helps you vinyl fanatics. I have been buying records since the 1980s when I lived in Berlin and when I had little pocket money to spare. Since those days I visited quite a few record stores around the world. The list below is far from complete, it's missing some stores that for some reason I hardly ever visit and don't find worth mentioning. I might add info about those in the future, though. 

What I buy usually falls into one of the following categories:
- Rare (well, more or less hard to find) Punk, New Wave, Industrial, and some Metal.
- Pop and party records for my DJing needs, but only if they are cheap.
- Some records which I already own, to upgrade in condition or to forward to friends.

For more information about Munich stores, also check out the following websites:

- Vinyl hub (excellent resource, brought to you by the fine folks at discogs)
- Recordshops.org/ (great for finding the locations of stores)
- Recordjunkie.com
- Record stores worldwide

HOW THE INFORMATION IS STRUCTURED

This website gives you a description of each store. It's up to you to decide if a store is worth your time and money. I don't pretend to be very objective and have an attitude about vinyl culture, so deal with it. There is also some standard info on the store, such as the following:
- Are any new records in the store, or just second-hand ones?
- Can you listen to the records before buying?
- Does the store also sell their stock online through a webstore?
- Do the workers have in-store online access? I think that this is relevant for pricing.
- Is there a cheapo section? If yes, how much are the cheapo records?
- How long would it take to browse through every section of this store? This only is a rough estimation.
- What is the pricing strategy of the store for used records?
- How much would the following records be, serving as examples: SUPERTRAMP - Breakfast in America LP, FISCHER Z - Red Skies Over Paradise LP, WIRE - Pink Flag LP
- Pricing error rate: How many of the used records are priced too low in the store? (this is what you are waiting for!) But also, how many are too expensive, if any?
- Which are notable vinyl records I bought at each particular store?
- What is the chance of survival in times of dying record stores? Will they still be there when you come back in 3 years?

BLACK WAVE RECORDS

I moved this store's description to the top because this is the coolest of the listed ones.
Running a record store in Munich with new stock, focusing on anything Indie or even Punk, seems like a suicide mission. But Michl from TAKEN BY SURPRISE did rise to the challenge and opened a store that he now shares with a screenprinting place. This definitely is the best Punk record store in town, hands down. There now even is a movie about it. Check out https://vimeo.com/270716787 to see the trailer. The store is located on a long block right behind the famous Augustiner brewery (Westendstr. 49, 80339 München) and carries new and used punk, hardcore, indie, power pop, garage etc. - vinyl only. They also sell  MaximumRocknRoll fanzine and tickets to local gigs.

   

- New records in the store? Mainly new, but also a selection of used goodies.
- Can you listen to the records before buying? YES  
- Do they sell online? The records are also in the webstore of the here TAKEN BY SURPRISE label
- Does the store have online access? YES
- Is there a cheapo section? Yes, boxes in front of the store (if weather permits)
- How long would it take to browse through every piece of vinyl? 15 minutes
- Pricing strategy? Fair DIY prices, slightly higher than online. New LPs starting at around 12 Euro.  
- Price examples: They do not carry that stuff.
- Notable record I bought: None so far.
- Chance of survival: High, as long as the TAKEN BY SURPRISE label is going. Munich needs more places like this!

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OPTIMAL (Kolosseumstraße 6, 80469 München), which is officially called ECHT OPTIMAL, is the mother of Indie record stores in town and has been going since 1982. The modest folks at the store call themselves not only "ECHT OPTIMAL", but also "Deutschlands bestsortierter Schallplattenladen" on their website (they claim to have the best selection of any German record store). They are located in the hip but unhip (because it has been gentrified to death since years) Glockenbachviertel which is located close to the city center. The store is pretty big and focuses mostly on dance and electronic music, but also has a decent selection of new and used Rock and Indie vinyl. Basically they have what is hip in the clubs of different sorts in town. They support small local labels of various musical styles by stocking their vinyl releases and giving them special sections. For example the Munich label TAKEN BY SURPRISE has its own little section there. Often the store is full of DJ types who check out the latest 12"s. Optimal has very knowledgeable staff and know about the different musical styles and what used vinyl is worth. Two or three times a year there is a sale where everything is 25% (or 20%?) off.



- New records in the store? YES, the mix is around half-half.
- Can you listen to the records before buying? YES, they have various turntables (1210s!) for you to check out the vinyl.
- Do they sell online? YES, also on Discogs.
- Does the store have online access? YES
- Is there a cheapo section? NO, there are crates on the floor and cheapo bins in the back, but the records there are cheaper but not really that cheap, like not less than 3.99 Euros.
- How long would it take to browse through every piece of vinyl? Roughly 1.5 hours
- Pricing strategy? Very inconsistent. This place is not great for deals. Some records have ridiculous prices, but on the other hand some are surprisingly cheap. There was a strong upswing of prices in 2012 it seems. Some stuff I see that interests me I might consider buying at their 20% off sale.
- Price examples: SUPERTRAMP: 9.99, FISCHER Z: 5.99, WIRE: 29.99 Euros.
- Pricing error rate: Around 5% are kinda cheap, around 50% is overpriced.
- Notable record I bought: NITWITZ - The Scorched Earth Policy LP
- Chance of survival: High. Optimal is a well-established instituation in the Munich music scene. Also, folks who work there seem to also have other jobs, so I am sure the store will be there for many more years. 

The owner of Schallplattenzentrale has got quite a record empire going for many years, since 1979 to be precise. There used to be two large stores in Munich under the name PHON-X, but one of those closed down and the remaining one changed its name to SCHALLPLATTENZENTRALE.

SCHALLPLATTENZENTRALE – ZENTRALE

Their main store (Zentrale, Fraunhoferstrasse 26, 80469 München) is in a prime location in Glockenbachviertel, not far from the OPTIMAL record store. There used to be two (!) more stores right next to each other in Augsburg (50 km from Munich) where they sold overstocks from the Munich store at 50 Cent, 2.90 Euros and 5.90 Euros. But unfortunately, they had to close down when the building was sold. Now Schallplattenzentrale has another store (Filiale, see below) in Munich at Lindwurmstraße which is sort of their outlet store – note the special opening hours there (the link is below). But this review is mainly about the main store which is chock full of records. Many of them are not even on display but sit on shelves upstairs or in boxes in front of the counter. This sometimes makes it hard to even enter the store. 




- New records in the store? NO
- Can you listen to the records before buying? NO, but they guarantee the records' condition. You can return records if you are unhappy with the condition. But almost everything they sell is VG+ or better.
- Do they sell online? NO
- Does the store have online access? YES, they have. Actually, they didn't until a few years ago. This has not made their prices come down.
- Is there a cheapo section? YES, there is a cheapo section at 1 Euro per LP, this is where CHRIS DE BURGH LPs go and stuff that is in below-par condition. Also, there is a 2.90 Euro section. All Singles are 1.50 Euro, but they are mainly pop crap.
- How long would it take to browse through every piece of vinyl? 2-3 hours
- Pricing strategy? One word: expensive. Apart from the cheapos the prices are consistently high, or even extremely high. Sometimes I feel kinda insulted by some of their prices, because much is findable for so much less elsewhere. Their schtick is that everything is in really excellent condition and they have a lot of special titles because they seem to regularly buy complete quality record collections. Otherwise, they might not buy them in the first place. Or they go to their outlet store or straight to the cheapo bins. Almost everything mediocre is priced by default at 9.90, stuff which is half rare can be 24.90. The owner seems to hate certain musical styles and bands, so those releases end up being somewhat cheaper. Also compilations are moderately priced most of the time. Metal is also relatively moderately priced, but becoming more expensive recently as the owner is a smart guy and has realized that everyone wants, for example, Black Metal originals and certain NWOBHM bands. Original SLAYER LPs are 29.90 or even 39.90 Euro. Unfortunately the owner knows that anything even remotely Punk will probably be wanted, so Punk and New Wave can be especially expensive, starting at 14.90 even for crappy stuff noone wants. Krautrock and nerdy stuff from the 1970s is often priced at 29.90 or sometimes 39.90. Even rather findable KRAFTWERK-LPs are in that price range – and they sell, too. All 12" Singles are always 9.90 or more, waiting for a DJ with money to snag them up. Almost everything at the store is marked way more than you would pay on Ebay or Discogs for example. But because of their quality approach at the store they seem to get away with it. Also buying used records online is not for everyone. If stuff does not sell, they might put it in the other store (the Filiale). My theory is that they have many customers  from other countries that buy stuff. From countries that do not have many second hand stores like this. I regularly see Italians in the store, also this one guy who I think is from Russia. I guess an Oligarch from Russia does not mind paying 39,90 for a nonrare BOWIE LP from the 1970s.
- Price examples: SUPERTRAMP: 2,90 (traditionally in the cheapo bins), FISCHER Z: 2.90 or 5,90, WIRE: 39.90 Euro (I've seen it!).
- Pricing error rate: Extremely low, like 0.5% are too cheap, the staff really knows what recorsd are worth, but 70% I would call too expensive.
- Notable record I bought: I do not remember anything that special, but my friend Kiki bought a LEEWAY - Born To Expire LP here for under 10 Euro. But that was some years ago.
- Chance of survival: High. They have been at it for ages and the owner has extremely good knowlegde of all musical styles and their value. They get away with high prices and constantly get in new stock.

SCHALLPLATTENZENTRALE – FILIALE



The prices at the Filiale of Schallplattenzentrale (Lindwurmstrasse 209, 80337 München) are cheaper than at the Zentrale. Every LP (and 2xLP or LP Box) used to be 8.75 Euro (not really a bargain), then prices went down to 7.90 (not that much cheaper than 8.75), and since January 2015 all LPs and 12" Maxis are 5.90 Euro. Now we are talking! They carry stuff that did not sell at the high Zentrale prices, overstock, but also a lot of stuff that gets put directly in here, mainly because the condition does not meet the high standards of the Zentrale branch. This place has 95% releases that came out before the 90s. Lots of classic rock, sometimes including classics like BOWIE, ROXY MUSIC, etc. They usually have a lot of more wavey releases like TALKING HEADS, DEVO, and B52s (see the picture below – slightly arranged by yours truly to make the photo look more interesting). I find that many of the records in this place rather belonged in the 2.90 bin at Zentrale, but oh well. As I said above, the boss is not into selling the goodies cheap. The Filiale sometimes really has a lot of overstock in, as you can see in the picture below. I think that for years they had at least five copies each of the yellow B52s, STRANGLERS, TALKING HEADS - Remain in Light, POGUES - Red Roses For Me, or DEUTSCH AMERIKANISCHE FREUNDSCHAFT - Alles Ist Gut. All good records.

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BEST RECORDS is located at Theresienstraße in Schwabing (Theresienstraße 46, 80333 München), close to the famous Pinakotheken (art museums). This is probably my favorite record store in Munich because of its atmosphere. If I were to shoot a movie about a record store in town, this would be the one to use. Apparently, Thurston Moore shops here when in Munich. While ECHT OPTIMAL explicitly chose their slightly pretentious name, this store is not called "Best" by choice, but because this is the owner's second name. Christoph Best comes across like the nice teacher you had at school. He is a humble and smart guy as you can tell from this interview about the state of second hand record affairs "Über die politische Ökonomie der Schallplatte" (in German, sorry folks): http://www.heise.de/tp/artikel/39/39462/1.html. Usually by the counter you find some music connoisseurs discussing various topics with the chatty Mr. Best. Opposed to other record stores which usually attract 50-and-over guys with receding hairlines that mumble about their LED ZEPPELIN live bootlegs to the more or less interested owner, folks here actually have intelligent conversations about eclectic musical styles which I do not understand – this impresses me. The small store is chock full of records which are partly in browsable displays, but mainly standing around on the floor or stacked, because it is too much to fit. Roughly 50% of the stock has price tags (there is a sign on the counter that stresses that these are fixed prices), what stands on the floor without a price sticker is usually around 7 to 10 Euro, unless it is really trashed or an obvious gem that the owner has not put a sticker on yet. BEST carries all genres, but has a focus on Soul, Funk, Hiphop, Jazz, Brazilian, but also a selection (to varying degree) of Rock, Punk, Indie and Metal. Also lots of 7"s. In this store you really have to dig around, also in the back room. What also impressed me was that one time I was spending a long time in there looking at everything and I got my hands dusty. I did not even ask, but the owner offered me to wash my hands in the back room. That is customer service, folks! Please do not get me wrong, this store is not the mekka where you can find X-CLAIM originals, but a really great small second hand record store. They do not make record stores like this anymore!



- New records in the store? NO
- Can you listen to the records before buying? YES, turntable by the counter. 
- Do they sell online? NO, but their website went online in 2013, wow!
- Does the store have online access? Intentionally, for a long time it had not. But now Mr. Best will sometimes look up prices on Discogs (and then usually charge you a fair price which is below Discogs prices!)
- Is there a cheapo section? YES, in boxes outside
- How long would it take to browse through every piece of vinyl? Roughly 2-3 hours
- Pricing strategy? The owner knows what stuff is worth, but I have never seen (or bought) anything in here that was not fairly priced. Most expensive punk-ish record I saw in there was the SODS LP For 30 Euros. This is still a fair price. For the longest time the records did not even have price tags, then Mr. Best sold out and now often adds them. Also, he does not bother to deal with prices like 5.90 or 5.99. He has got style and stuff is like 7, 10, or 15 Euro.
- Price examples: I have no clue as those do not have prices usually. My guesses would be SUPERTRAMP: 7, FISCHER Z: 5, WIRE: 25 Euro or more
- Pricing error rate: 10% cheap, hardly anything is too expensive
- Notable record I bought: V/A - Waterkant Hits LP Original
- Chance of survival: I guess high as it is a really cool store that many local folks like and frequently visit. And then there's Thurston Moore...  

(Maistr. 1, 80337 München) is the storefront for the cool local label Gutfeeling that is putting out a good variation of local bands of different musical styles. Besides their own releases they are selling a selection of second hand vinyl at the store which is open Monday through Thursday in the afternoon. I get the impression that the place is always closed, and I am not the only one, but maybe I just come by at the wrong hours.

   

- New records in the store? YES
- Can you listen to the records before buying? YES  
- Do they sell online? YES, http://www.gutfeeling.de/shop/
- Does the store have online access instore? YES
- Is there a cheapo section? YES
- How long would it take to browse through every piece of vinyl? 15 minutes
- Pricing strategy? Fair prices.
- Price examples: They have a wild mix, not sure if my example records I use for other stores are common here.
- Notable record I bought: ACCÜSED - More Fun Than.... LP, Combat Core version. Nothing crazy but the only record I ever bought there.
- Chance of survival: High, since the store is a part-time operation.

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Links with further info about each store:

BEST RECORDS http://www.bestvinyl.de/
BLACK WAVE https://www.facebook.com/blackwaverecordsmunich/
GUTFEELING http://www.gutfeeling.de/recordstore/
M2 MUSIC http://www.m2music.de/
MONO http://www.sechzig.de/
MUSIC AND BOOKS http://musicandbooks.eu/
OPTIMAL http://shop.optimal-records.com/
SCHALLPLATTENZENTRALE  http://www.schallplattenzentrale.de/