Red Devil Records

Red Devil Records is a long-running independent shop in San Rafael where jazz and classic rock are leading sellers, followed by punk. The store buys selectively, with condition and demand carrying as much weight as rarity.

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Interview with Red Devil Records

What sells best at Red Devil Records?

Jazz is my favorite music along with punk rock. But now that I’m older I listen to more jazz. I’d say jazz and classic rock are equally the best sellers in the store, followed by punk. For our first many years punk was our number one specialty. But then labels started selling their limited editions online themselves (I don’t blame them), so our punk sales are less than before.

Why do you generally pass on 78s and classical records?

Not even 1% of the 78s people were bringing in were of value so I got tired of wasting time and energy looking at them. I’m sure I’ve missed out on some good ones, don’t really care. ( I did buy an amazing large jazz LP collection that included a couple hundred minty bebop 78s. Another guy called saying he had blues, so I bought his clean Chess ones. Recently a guy came in and I and said I’d pass looking at his 78s. He said he had really nice Johnny Cash ones so I relented. He had pristine Cash and Carl Perkins Sun 78s. Ha. Who know what else I’ve missed but again I don’t care.) Regarding classical, just too much worthless mass produced stuff so I don’t have the desire to look at them. Plus I don’t listen to classical. I tell them I’m interested in RCA Living Stereos. Once in awhile people are surprised, usually not. They usually inherit them or are elderly and just want to get rid of them.

Where do your customers come from?

I’d say about half of my customers are local from Marin, and the other half from the East Bay (Oakland, Berkeley), San Francisco and Sonoma county. A small amount from outside the Bay Area. I just had people from Sacramento today, and had a semi-regular from SF spent four figures yesterday.

What rare records and surprising finds have come through the store?

We’ve been open 28 years and have been lucky to get a ton of rare records here. Right now the priciest is a white vinyl Nirvana Bleach. Also have a UK OG Piper right now, and an OG Giant Steps. Sold a clean Fun House orig yesterday Biggest surprises: a guy brought in a minty OG of the Mankunku Quartet 1968 hard bop/spiritual jazz, South African pressing. He said he wanted $300 for it. I was not familiar with it looked it and bought it. It is fantastic. I now stock the reissue in the store. And Yezda Urfa, a private press 1975 U.S. prog album. So rare (100 made?) I figured it was the reissue. It wasn’t. (Some records I’ve sold for four figures: Minor Threat red vinyl In My Eyes, Lightnin Hopkins Plays the Blues on Herald, UK Dark Side of the Moon, Wayne Shorter Juju. Sonny Clark Cool Struttin, Elsie Bianchi test pressing on Saba (Euro jazz vocal), super clean Butcher covers, Bob Marley Rastaman Vibration promo burlap box set. The mail order poster from Mothers Freak Out.)

How do you judge whether a record is worth buying?

Condition and how desireable the title is are equally important. Sure rarity is important, but if it’s rare but crappy and won’t sell who cares.

How do you approach store credit?

I’m fine with store credit, just don’t push it. A lot of people get store credit.

Should sellers clean their records before bringing them in?

It helps me out a ton if the records are clean and makes my job so much easier. Looking at filthy records is one of the worst things in my job. That all being said, it is very time consuming for them to clean them. If they’re well cared for they are usually clean anyway.

What do sellers most often get wrong about value?

I think it’s people that just think whatever they have is rare no matter what it is. I guess Beatles records in crappy shape would be an answer.

Is there a category that quietly sells better than people expect?

Nothing really quietly sells better.

One last buying story

(One last buying story – very recently a guy came in saying he had three boxes of records that were his elderly neighbors. He mentioned Lena Horne. Must’ve been another one of my lazy days so I said I’ll pass. He was very nice and urged me to please look at them. So I relented. There were pristine Prestige jazz records in the first box. The boxes were huge so there were several hundred. I took almost half of them. So I scored, and he was surprised he got more than a few bucks). Lastly, I’m getting older. As I said the store has been open 28.5 years, and I’m now 68 years old. Am punky and I’m told very youthful for my age, but still I’m 68 and burning out so only want to look at good records now.

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FAQ

What types of records do you accept?

We do not take 78s maybe 45s. For LPs we take rock, jazz, blues and more. We do not take classical.

What criteria do you use to evaluate records?

The main criteria I use is the condition of both the covers and records, how desirable the title is, and if it's rare or not.

What forms of payment do you offer for records?

I can pay cash.

What types of vinyl do you carry?

We carry new vinyl and have a lot of used as well, including a lot of jazz, both inexpensive and a lot of rare records.

How extensive is your jazz record collection?

We have close to 100 rare jazz records on our table, plus over 100 rare jazz ones on the $100 and up shelves.

Can I visit the store even if the owner is on vacation?

Yes, the store is open when I'm gone. You can still visit and browse our extensive collection.

Where can I find your rare jazz records?

Our rare jazz records are prominently displayed on our table and on the $100 and up shelves, providing a range of options for collectors and enthusiasts.

Last updated: 2026-08-26

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