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Down Home Music Store
4.8 ★★★★★ 96 Google reviews · Guitar & music store in El Cerrito, California
Store established in 1976 carrying CDs, DVDs & LPs of roots music such as folk, gospel & zydeco.
Plan your visit
- Buys & trades used gear they buy, trade, or consign used instruments — bring the case and any original parts, and expect trade credit to beat the cash offer
- Today see hours ·
- Phone (510) 525-2129
- Website downhomemusic.com
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 1–6 PM |
| Thursday | 1–6 PM |
| Friday | 1–6 PM |
| Saturday | 1–6 PM |
| Sunday | 1–6 PM |
What's on the wall
“plus rare and unusual Latin American, blues, zydeco, Cajun , and Tex-Mex recordings.”
“Large vinyl newly arrived used section with some hard to find items.”
“Jazz,folk, rock, country, cajune, r&b, even an lp of Norman Mahler reading Norman Mahler - (pass).”
What players say again and again
“Great selection, nice old vibe and super super friendly staff.”
From the reviews
Small, delightful music store, great staff. Vinyl and CDs, some memorabilia. Jazz, folk, blues are what I go for, but there's other stuff too. Can listen to CD there, probably the records too. Love this place.
Amazing record store - one of the few great ones left I am sure! If you are looking for something obscure in American traditional music (and more) this is The Place To Go.Fun! Knowledgeable staff will help you find what you want.
Pretty vast selection of records. New arrivals seem priced a bit on the high side, but I did find some jems and a clutch of well-priced LPs in the 2nd/main LP room. Super friendly staff.
A classic spot for all kinds of music. I hadn’t been there in about 30 years but it still felt the same. Friendly folks working there with a real passion for the musics they sell. RIP Chris Strachwitz. The store you founded is still going strong.
Selling or trading gear at Down Home Music Store
Down Home Music Store comes up for buying and trading used gear — confirmed on their own site. Two things make the trip go better. First, bring the whole package: the case or gig bag, the original tremolo arm or bridge parts, the paperwork if you have it — a complete rig is worth real money more than a bare instrument, and it saves the back-and-forth of "can you bring the case in?" Second, know that trade credit almost always beats the cash offer, usually by a healthy margin — if you're upgrading anyway, price your old gear as a trade against the new one before you take cash. Either way, expect the offer to be below what the gear sells for on the wall; the gap is the store's margin for setup, warranty, and sitting on it until the right buyer walks in.
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