Vinyl Revolutions
New York City, Nashville, Los Angeles, Grants Pass? OK, maybe one of these is not like the other but just because a town is small and has an arts scene that is on the…shall we say underdeveloped side, doesn’t mean it should be completely ignored. Grants Pass is a small town, if you don’t live in the Pacific Northwest, you’ve probably never heard of it. If you have heard of this small southern Oregon town, or even been there, it was probably to hike, river-raft, or fish rather than to go record shopping. That’s where I come in. The first stop on my trip to Grants Pass, Oregon was the densely packed Vinyl Revolutions.
What to Expect from Vinyl Revolutions
Vinyl Revolutions is one of the most unassuming record stores I’ve been to. Not far from downtown Grant’s Pass, the shop blends right in with the realty and insurance offices that surround it. But beyond the creaky wooden door is a shop that is overflowing with records. This is one of those record stores that borders on overwhelming. There are records everywhere. On the walls, in bins, in cardboard boxes beneath the bins and sometimes stacked on the floor. This shop is very small, just a single room, but it is so packed with records that the selection rivals stores twice the size. The owner is likely to be the only one sitting in the shop, sitting behind the counter answering questions, talking music, and spinning some wax.
Selection at Vinyl Revolutions
This is a used record store in the truest sense of the word. 99% of the records that have found their way here were previously owned by someone else. That 1% of new records were displayed on the wall and consisted mostly of repressings of classic albums.
Picture of wall with Doors record etc.
Like all used record stores, the selection is going to range greatly in terms of quality, genre, and price. Most of the records here are on the older side so if you are someone who likes to go digging for records from the 60’s and 70’s this will be a good place to check out.
Picture of Nico Record and Punk Records
The quality of the selection has a wide range as well. There are plenty of records to be had in the $20-50 price range but also tons that are in the $1-10 range. This is really a “diggers paradise” so the quality of finds will be directly related to how much effort you put into digging through the cramped bins all over the store. Look hard enough and you will be rewarded. Organization here is pretty loose so if you are looking for a specific artist or album, you will probably end up frustrated.
Besides records there is also a small selection of cassette tapes as well as some vintage audio equipment for sale.
Pic of audio EQ
My Take on Vinyl Revolutions
I have been in few record stores that were as cramped with records as Vinyl Revolutions. There are records everywhere so you will need to quite literally watch your step. This might sound like a nightmare but the owner knows his shop well and will happily direct you towards whatever kind of music you’re looking for, even if that means telling you to pull out a cardboard box tucked underneath a table that you hadn’t been able to see before. A sort of organzied chaos.
Go into this shop to browse and find some cool records at a great price and you won’t be disappointed. With that being said, if you are interested in more contemporary music and are looking for something specific, this might not be the shop for you.
Records Purchased
album – artist
Address: 221 NW 5th St, Grants Pass, OR 97526