Folk Arts Rare Records

Folk Arts Rare Records is a San Diego record shop on University Avenue with a deep, collector-minded approach to music. The store buys collections across formats and genres, from everyday listening records to unusual titles that have become meaningful to serious diggers. They describe themselves less like a volume shop and more like librarians: always listening, sorting, learning, and helping records find the right people.

For sellers, Folk Arts keeps the process simple. The shop recommends calling first at (619) 282-7833, but they also buy collections seven days a week from 10am to 6pm with no appointment needed. For larger collections of roughly 600 records or more, they are generally willing to come to the seller. Condition and the quality of the music matter most, but their interest reaches far beyond obvious hits.

Folk Arts Rare Records on University Avenue in San Diego.

Interview with Folk Arts Rare Records

Folk Arts Rare Records sounds like it is about depth, not just volume. What kind of collection makes you stop and really look?

Any collection that has a sizable amount of interesting, great titles to listen to will always make us very excited and really pay attention to the details. The easy way to describe these instances are non-hit records that have since become iconic amongst collectors.

Being on University Avenue puts you in the middle of a lot of foot traffic. Does that shape what people bring in or ask about?

We have a fair amount of foot traffic, but most of our business comes from people travelling to us. Weather permitting, we absolutely love our two doors wide open, inviting anyone and everyone to walk in and check out what we are building. We identify as librarians.

Inside the shop, where wall shelves and floor bins make Folk Arts feel more like an archive than a quick stop.

Your listing says you look at collections of all sizes and genres. What info should a seller send first so you can tell if it is worth pursuing?

The first thing a seller should do is simply give us a phone call: (619) 282-7833. You do not have to create a list or stress out in any way. We love all styles of music at Folk Arts and can talk you through the situation you are in. And then we can take the next step.

We are generally willing to come to you if you have 600+ records. Otherwise, we are always buying collections of all formats anytime, seven days a week from 10am to 6pm, no appointment necessary. Just bring it all down, the more the merrier. We are very experienced at doing this work and have parking in front of our shop. We have lots of customers that frequently bring in stacks for trade as well. We fully welcome this.

Record bins at Folk Arts, including sections that reflect the shop's wide-ranging taste.

With older or rarer records, what matters more to you: condition, pressing, genre, or the story behind it?

The biggest factors for us are condition and the quality of the music. We have love for all genres of music and are constantly dialoguing, exploring and learning. Every variable is important, but love of music is priority number one.

What is a genre San Diego collectors tend to assume is worthless but really is not?

There are a lot of genres that people pay less attention to and probably should explore more. Some examples are country, easy listening, classical, jazz vocal, flamenco, Cajun, and so many more. I could go on and on.

We are constantly exploring all styles of music. Part of Folk Arts' identity is also exploring random records that do not have very much history online. We are always listening.

A wide look at the Folk Arts shop floor and its deep inventory.

What is the most interesting collection you have bought recently?

The most interesting collection we bought recently was the store stock of Pall Jenkins' recent record store project, as part of a hotel in Hillcrest. He is a friend and wanted to move on from the project. Pall is one of the coolest people in San Diego and is the leader of Three Mile Pilot and The Black Heart Procession. He has been focusing on this awesome gig where he creates impressive, high-quality custom knives. Pall is a really awesome guy, and he naturally had some very excellent records to sell us. We are all about paying serious money for quality collections like this.

A few weeks ago we also randomly bought a few boxes of records that belonged to Jonas Salk. That was a wild, incredible experience. We are also still pricing a sizable CD collection that came from renowned author John Szwed. He is the best writer about music on the planet, in my humble opinion, and it was an absolute privilege to be able to purchase his CDs.

Is there a record you have been hoping to come across but have not yet?

There are so many records we are hoping to come across. The list is endless. Speaking personally, I just got back from a few days off in Los Angeles. I was able to do some record shopping, which I rarely do. I was stoked to find a copy of Masayoshi Takanaka's The Rainbow Goblins. It is such a fun record.

How did you end up specializing in rare finds rather than just general used vinyl?

With many things, this is a very long story. I got my real education at KDVS freeform radio in Davis, CA, 25 years ago. More communities need sacred music spaces like KDVS. They have an extensive library of rare titles and I practically lived there for seven years. I was exploring new things then and I am still doing the same thing now. I miss the place and miss doing a radio show there.

What is a mistake you see sellers make again and again before they contact you?

Sellers are often over-worried about dealing with their estate situation. Folk Arts has been built up to be wildly professional in helping people out on these fronts. Do not make a list, do not stress. Just give us a call, and we will talk you through your situation.

We do not want to take advantage of anyone and love the opportunity to purchase a serious collection. Our offers are always made with no pressure whatsoever. We are all about the opportunity and pride ourselves on being kind, considerate, professional, and respectful. We will never pressure anyone to accept our offer.

If someone is driving in from out of town just to check out your shop, what should they set aside time for?

Folk Arts is a serious destination and frequently has visitors from all over the country and the world. We have an overwhelming selection of all formats and styles of music. You can easily lose yourself here. Folk Arts has a public restroom, and our City Heights neighbors have some of the best restaurants in town. You could comfortably spend an entire eight-hour day here and still have plenty of sections left to explore.

We also have our amazing second location inside of the impressive listening bar, Part Time Lover Hi-Fi, open seven nights a week from 4pm until midnight or later. We call the place PTL and really love our PTL store and project. It is a less overwhelming, more curated selection of amazing records.

The Folk Arts Rare Records sign: always buying records, open every day.

Last updated: 2026-06-26