I was looking for a place to do a photoshoot and we came across this place. The two gentlemen working there were really nice and let us do our photoshoot inside the store. I also bought some cassette tapes to play in my car and I'm glad I found them here because I know very few places that still carry them. I would definitely come here again. read more

These people are so rude! I stopped by to see what or if they were buying and I was told to bring items back next week. I lugged my boxes in to be told quite rudely that they weren't buying anything. I will never go back! There is no excuse for rudeness. read more

This is a great place. Really. I have been here a few times but sometimes, I can't quite manage to get over here due to my schedule. Either way, to keep this simple and short, this is not your average "mom and pop" record shop. This is something interesting, offering different selections for everyone. As for me, I'm very fond of their classical music section. They do have some rock material, but it's not a big selection since the last time I went. I have found many classical finds here before, and I really need to go back. The welcoming environment and small shop feel helps you avoid anxiety and pressure of big chain stores such as Best Buy and the like. I, for one, support independent stores. Something about it. Can't quite put a finger on it. It's just that when you walk into these kind of stores, you have this feeling of being more at one with the music and appreciating it more. You can probably spend a few hours in here, digging through the selections but isn't that what makes the experience worthwhile? You may find your next musical attraction here. Support independent retail. read more

We needed a new stylus (needle) for our 1980's Denon stereo system turntable. Denon couldn't help, the original is not made anymore. We took the cartridge to Canterbury Records and worked with Rusty, one of those great, extremely knowledgeable people that aren't so easy to find anymore. He had a replacement from audio-technical that fit, and he installed it for no extra charge. It works perfectly, and I'm now listening to an LP of big band hits from the 40's that sounds great. All the staff were nice and helpful, we greatly appreciate this high level of customer service. Thank you Rusty!! Also they have a great selection of LPs and CDs, even some cassettes. read more

I only buy CDs at two places: here and Amoeba. I really adore shopping here, and thus have to limit my trips to stay within my budget. Whether you're browsing or searching for a specific CD, chances are that this place has it in its broad, densely packed collection. In the age of BitTorrent, it's still worth it to drive to your local record store and spend a half hour flipping through the disks, supporting a mom and pop shop while you're at it. Prices on used disks are excellent, while new CDs are decent. It has so much more soul than clicking "buy" online or dealing with the dazed apes that work at Best Buy/Target. When you buy a CD at those big box stores, it's like getting a dog at a puppy mill. You just don't feel any love. If you love the experience of browsing through a wide selection of music but you still have very picky tastes, this is the place for you. read more

I love this place. It looks like something out of the late '70s and you can spend hours digging through the albums, the old movies, etc. The owner and his staff are all friendly and knowledgeable, and you can request an album and receive a kind phone message when it arrives. I'll take these guys over chain stores or iTunes any day. read more

i come here with my friend wally almost every saturday! he enjoys ordering old movies and the staff are always friendly and willing to help! this is the place to go if you are looking for classical, jazz, oldies, country/western, comedy, musicals, and soundtracks! i like looking through their used dvds (only a few blu rays) and vhs tapes, cds, and of course vinyl records! there's also a bin of rare and collectible records by the register that is fun to check out! i don't suggest coming here if you're a novice dj looking for dance beats. i do suggest coming here if you're looking to replace an old merle haggard record. read more

I've seen Goodwill's with better used vinyl selections. On the flipside, I rarely see such a huge inventory of new CD's in stores. They do carry new vinyl but prices are higher than most stores. Would not come back here unless I wake up in 1995 and need to rebuild a CD collection. read more

Ditto on most of these Reviews even the one about them being a bit scared about Colored people cause I'm Hispanic and it took them by surprise when i walked in but whatever I don't care i just wanted some records. They also have this elitist thing going on like "High Fidelity" its funny. Anyway I found some good records bought a old metal album and a Grateful Dead greatest hits record and The Cars "The Cars" Album all on vinyl for a whooping 10 bucks. Pretty legitimate if you ask me. read more

I USED to shop there. The perplexing thing about them is that they sell and advertise music by Black artists (i.e. Jill Scott, Common, Wyclef Jean). However, when a Black person enters their store they act as if you're only there to steal from them. You know that nervous, paranoid, suspicious look? So why the hell do they carry these products? Who for? read more

Never seen such a dearth of records in a record store. There's about 1 aisle of them and the rest of the shop is occupied by overpriced DVDs and mismanaged CDs and VHS tapes. I'll give it a star because they carried a special edition of John Coltrane's "Lush Life". read more

Whether you have specific music you're looking for or you like to discover new music, this is a nice little record shop to explore new and used music. I had 2 hours to kill so I definitely checked out every section. It's not an Amoeba, but if Amoeba had a newborn sibling, his name would be Canterbury. My taste in music varies, depending on my mood. So I was looking for some good Reggae and I found some Peter Tosh vinyls for under $5. Then I was looking for something new that I've never heard of so I snagged a few vinyls in their .50 pile. I briefly looked at their cds, which were reasonably priced, VERY reasonably priced compared to Pennylane. I'll definitely be back here again =] read more

This is a great small record store that beats the pants off of the Best Buy's of the world. There's less of a focus here of pop and rock music and more of world, classical, and jazz music than other record stores but that's definitely a good thing. plus, it's a block away from Vroman's so you can pick up a great odd book there and then come here and buy the perfect soundtrack to that book. read more

THIS STORE HAS MORE CDS THAN RECORDS!!!! The record selection is small and mostly classical or show tunes. They do have new releases on vinyl or reissued albums at 19 bucks plus. The shop employees are not welcoming or friendly. They weren't helpful or even acknowledged me when I walked in. The vinyl they do have is overpriced and can be found at goodwill for much less. Avoid this place. read more

I have been shopping at Canterbury Records for over fifteen years. They have an incredible selection of new CDs. Also, many new DVDs and some used ones. They also have a fair selection of new vinyl and some used vinyl. They are really good about special ordering things for me like CDs. The used vinyl record section is kind of on the smallish side. read more

Not a very big selection of Vinyl. But my other problem is with the customer service. I called and I tried to ask for a specific record a Beatles album on Vinyl in Mono, but the young girl there who was to eager to get off the phone with me just kind of brushed me off saying yea, yea we got it before I could even finish stating what I was looking for. So I drove down there and when I showed up I looked around, and what I wanted was not there, it was the stereo version which I was not looking for. So I drove through traffic, wasted gas driving down there for the wrong record. Maybe if the customer service was better, or maybe if she actually took the time to listen to exactly what I was asking for instead of being rudely cut off mid sentence of my request incidents like this wouldn't happen. I can start to see why people are ordering online now. I've always tried to give actual shops my business but after this I know to stay away from this store. I don't need to deal with an employee like that. read more

This is one of my favorite stores in Pasadena, period! I come here frequently with my 16 year-old, and we both always find something great to listen to. The staff is wonderful. Check it out! read more

I have been to this record shop several times. The vinyl selection is relatively weak. It is hit and miss as to what their inventory will be. The pricing is on the high side ($22+ for just about anything unused). The service is nonexistent. The same guy has been at the counter every time I have been in the store. Not once has he ever asked to help in any way. Even if you buy something you get nothing like a "did you find what you are looking for?" or even a "thank you for coming in". Just a look of being bothered that you interrupted his day in some way. In these days of competing with Amazon, you would think a shop like this would try hard to compete, but it certainly hasn't been my experience. Lesson learned for me...won't be back. read more

SO I was walking down Colorado on a hot summer day and decided to take refuge from the hot breezes in the Canterbury Records store in Pasadena. I also had one particular CD in mind that I had to have, so I walked in and saw to my amazed eyes rows and rows of plastic shiny CD cases. I thought I was dreaming in like a Tower Records dazed and confused kind of way. But I pinched myself and saw that it was still there, so I walked up to the counter and asked for 11:11 by Rodrigo Y Gabriela and the guy behind the counter showed me the way. I found my CD and a whole lot more. I'm in awe that a great CD and record store like this still survives. I will be back again and again. I left a piece of my heart at Canterbury Records in Pasadena. read more

A good selection of jazz/blues and funk/rock. Mom & Pop store, intimate setting, serious business, nerd mode (I brought my glasses just in case). Let's keep it professional. Picked up Ramsey Lewis cd. Still looking for B.T. Express & Gwen McCrae. read more

This place has been here forever and let's hope it's here for a long time. It looks like a mess but the longer you spend in here the more gems you will find, especially if you are looking for obscure non- rock and pop. Their jazz, classical, shows, country, and even merry-go-round organ music selection is impressive. The folks who work there seem to be honestly interested in helping with questions. Highest recommendation if you love music but you're still not sold on listening to music on your computer. read more

A leap of faith is required - in that the reader/customer is still interested in purchasing physical media with music on it. That said, this is the place to do it. Ginormous collection of new and used everything (makes browsing a voyage of hope and discovery) all ridiculously well organized. In the unlikely event you can't decipher the sorting (would that be Parkening, Flamenco or Guitar?) the staff seems to know the location of every piece in the shop. Prices are damned good compared to yesteryear, but not quite as cheap as free, today. Still, the best music shop we've found in SoCal. read more

Walked in there last week, no listening stations for vinyl. One of the dumbest ideas in a record shop history. there is o way to explore music if you cant sample it on a listening stations. Staff are more like comic book or collecting nerds than music lovers. Talking about the rare European release of some obscure record from some horrible band in the late 70's. Then I call again this week looking for a record and I am told we probably wont have it. Cant you check? you are gonna blow off a potential customer cause you probably wont have it? That was there last chance, now I know why I never walked in there before. read more

Nothing but nice things to say about the place. I wasn't pressured, but was certainly helped the moment I looked for a clerk. I found a lot of treasures at a reasonable price. I'll be raiding the place again soon. read more

I've only been in here once, but it was a nice old fashioned record store. Not a whole lot of vinyl for what I was looking for, but they had a little of everything and for the record I did buy, it was a good price. I'll come back next time in in town. read more

What a great place! My dad introduced me to this store several years ago and I've been back ever since. Whats not awesome about saving money on music, finding a vast selection, and supporting a Pasadena mom n pop shop that has been around since the 50's? What is also cool is that if they don't have the particular music you are looking for (they usually have one of almost everything) they will do their best to find it and order it for you. Bonus: my aunt met my uncle at Canterbury in the 70's when they both worked there. 30+ years later they are still married! What's not to love? read more

Few actual records at Canterbury Records, but rack after rack of CD's, mostly all new/sealed product. A handful of vintage vinyl (more unpriced stock, likely cheap, is in boxes on the floor near the door) and a good selection of recent pressings as well--not cheap but those things never are. No dollar bins per se. read more

Its a great place to find turntable needles and belts of any model. Also they have an extencive selection of jazz, classical and world music cd's. Only drawback are their prices. read more

wasn't impressed with this place at all. didn't have any older records that were worth looking thru. not a great selection of music.

With record shops that house Vinyl, CD, DVD, and Blu-ray are becoming fewer and far between, I like supporting shops like Canterbury Records that keep their doors open and when you walk inside, it feels like you're traveling back in time. It's got a wonderful old quality to it and I'm so grateful they have remained open for all of us to enjoy how things use to be and that there still is a need, a want, and a desire for places like Canterbury Records! read more

Kind of an old school, mom-and-pop vibe in here. I'm a vinyl shopper so I can't speak for the rest of their inventory. If you like to buy new records and reissues, they've got a surprisingly diverse rock section. Anything else, whether it be a specific genre or rare used/collectable, and you're out of luck. But I walked out recently with 5 great records: Talking Heads' Speaking in Tongues, R.E.M. Fables, Coltrane's Crescent, Blonde on Blonde Sundazed mono, and the Portishead S/T. Obviously those are all reissues. Prices suprisingly affordable -- $10.99 for the Portishead! It's not the best record shop in L.A. but they do carry some good stuff. read more

To the racially obsessed commentators: At different stores I sometimes feel discriminated against by customer service. Sometimes because I'm Hispanic sometimes because I look too working class Sometimes because I'm too well dressed sometimes because I look too white. You should look at yourself before you impugn other peoples character. I found the proprietors a little dour but they are very nice as it turns out. Maybe they're a small business that gets repeatedly ripped off and they look at every potential scalawag of every ethnicity the same way. You don't know so quit tearing yourselves (and them) up. read more

I love going here to buy CDs. Convenient with easy parking in the back. Never too crowded. They always have a good selection of what I am looking for. read more

In January 2008 or 2009 I sent an email requesting a CD to see if they carry it. January 2010 stll no response so I called the store and spoke to a very rude woman who said they will respond when they respond. So much for customer service. read more

this place is pretty cool. no poobah, but fun fun fun. also loads of boxes filled with ridiculously cheap records. and since searching for records is 90% of the fun, i certainly do enjoy myself here. read more

My rating is solely based on their selection of vinyl records. If you are looking for a great place to dive in, this isnt the store to go to in terms of record selection. Most of the vinyl were new releases and very expenses. It seems they have a large selection of cd's yet forget the licorice pizza. You may want to go Poobah Records. All vinyl and classic stuff, good pricing and a better overall vibe read more

Found this store while looking for a DVD and just now called them to ask a question regarding a DVD I was looking for. The woman who answered was so rude. I asked if they might have the DVD, and she answered in an annoyed tone (as if I were bothering her), "Hang on! I'm already on another line helping another customer." I just said, "Never mind." and hung up. If that's the type of phone service they give then I don't believe I would even WANT to visit the store or give them any business. They really need to train their staff, or at least this particular woman, on customer etiquette, quite a turn-off! read more

I went here with some friends and they were really nice and let us do a photoshoot in their store. The workers were really chill and just let us do what we wanted. I would recommend going in to look through some records and stuff. Really cheap prices, my friend ended up buying some cassettes and ended up liking them. read more

The staff here is great. The prices of the vinyl are decent. There isn't that wide of a selection for vinyls. They don't have turntables here. And the album's under the tables are not for sale. :( read more

Friendly owners, very good prices ($60 with tax for 3 new records, not bad), the CD selection is amazing, the vinyl section could use a little expansion, and I would like to be able to examine the used records, but otherwise I would definitely come back. read more