Welcome to Quality Records...plus
What we do : Where we are : Who we are : Sell your collection :
Needles : Accessories : Record Cleaning Service
WE HAVE MOVED
After 16 years, Quality Records...plus have moved from their old store at 263 Glenferrie Road Malvern to a new address at 269. Admittedly it is only four doors away, but we think you will be pleasantly surprised. More space, and all on one floor, means that the treasures are easier to find, and there is more room for extra listening facilities, and even a couch to rest your weary bones. The shop also has a history, for until 1990 is was the site of the legendary Pet Sounds Records Shop, run by David Bland. Many of our customers remember Pet Sounds with affection and the highest compliment among the many we have recieved since opening, is that we have recreated the look and feel of that former icon.
WHO WE ARE
Quality Records...Plus has over it 16 years of existence become one of Melbourne, Australia's, premier independent record stores specialising in the buying, selling or exchanging New and Used VINYL, New and Used CDs, DVDS and BOOKS. We pride ourselves on being a "retro" store, that is, service, range of stock, knowledge, and being prepared to go those extra yards to find and source those hard to get items. Also our store is something of a "destination" - a place to go where our customers can feel comfortable in a relaxed and pleasant store and be happy to spend many hours searching though the treasures. And our pricing makes us one of cheapest in town! Also we will do our best to obtain that hard to get C.D. or L.P. as we import worldwide.
History
Quality Records...plus was started sixteen years ago by Melville Mays and Geoff Brecko. both refugees from the galleys of Batman Records, a Melbourne institution for over 50 years, and with more years than that in the Record Industry between them. When Geoff (known for his flamboyant dress and Harley fixation) finally retired after 516 years in the music industry, his place was taken by Murray Stargatt, who with Mel, spent his formative teenage years in a drug and alcohol induced haze, trying to play Beatle records backwards on a fixed drive turntable! (well, the only part of that which was true was trying to play the records backwards - which is probably the weirdest part!). If he can ever overcome his shyness, we will post a picture of him on this page, otherwise you will just have to visit us to see him in the flesh. Mel started in the industry in the glory days of the late sixties, working for his father, the late Murray Lawrence Mays, who started the original C.R.A.M. (Camberwell Records And Music) and vividly remembers the excitement when the latest L.P. release was likely to be the Beatles Sgt Peppers or the Doors latest opus. Tim also can be found manning the helm (and has been with us on and off for 9 years), and his taste in music, mentored and guided by his Father (Murray) and Godfather (Mel), is impeccable and eclectic, although he is solely responsible for his love of Austrian zither music! (this latter is also a lie, but I couldn't find any weakness in his musical make-up, so was forced to resort to deceit in order to blacken his name.
Tim is watching!
Recent additions to the staff are Max, Mel's eldest son, and now Jem, Mels' youngest, and both could be seen wielding paint brushes during the alterations to the new shop.
~
When Quality Records...plus started 16 years ago, the aim was simple, to make a lot of money!! In addition, we wished to provide a place where music lovers (including us) could browse and listen to music in a relaxed environment, and to offer a wide range of Vinyl and CDs at reasonable prices, a trend away from what was happening in the industry at the time (and still is). The "Quality" by the way refers to service, the quality of the stock, and the condition of same of their used items- records free of gouges and coffee cup rings; C.D.'s that are guaranteed without fault! As to the "quality" of the music, that is up to you! When we started the shop, vinyl was dead, however old habits die hard, and our love affair with the "licorice pizza" led to Quality being at the forefront of the vinyl "revival" - as a stockist of used and new records! It's hard to be cutting edge and "retro" at the same time, but we think we achieved it. And this is where the web site comes in. The list of titles that we can reasonably expect to obtain easily is growing all the time, and as it is sometimes hard to find out what records are available, we hope that our Catalogue will enable the collector to find what he or she is searching for. As you can see from the extent of the catalogue, vinyl is not dead or even suffering all that much.
VINYL : VINYL : VINYL
We were there before the vinyl revolution, and you would have to travel far to find a better range of new records in stock!
WHERE WE ARE
Our (new) store is situated at 269 Glenferrie Road, Malvern, in the City of Melbourne, Australia. Our website is where we (attempt) to maintain a reasonably up-to-date catalogue of New Record Titles that are available in addition to Used Classical Records. Our in-stock catalogues and New Release pages ARE up to date, and you can more info about us and how to order.
Malvern, circa 1900 from the Town Hall Tower. Quality Records...plus is on the corner opposite the first building at the bottom of the picture. the old Fire Station (now and Art Gallery) is still there.
Sell or Exchange
We buy Records, C.D.s and D.V.D.s, as well as books. All types of music and large collections are not a problem - we can call if that is more convenient. So if Granny gave you Brittany for Christmas, or you really have grown to hate that collection of original Blue Note L.P.s, we can offer prices that match the best. You can sell for cash or exchange for an additional 25%.
Services
Needles for turntables : Don't be concerned about availability of record stylii - needles for the greater majority of turntables are available. Let us know the brand and model number and we can have them in stock in a day or two. Also available are generic cartridges - price dependent on quality.
Cleaning and Accessories : We stock antistatic record cleaning spray, brushes and cleaning utilities. There is no worthwhile antistatic cloth available at present which is why we recommended the cloth used in conjunction with the antistatic spray as a satisfactory alternative.
Record Inners and outers : We sell 12 inch "rice paper" inners, and heavy duty opaque protective outers. Price is 20 cents each - less 10% for 100 or more.
Record Cleaning : We offer a record cleaning service using a VPI cleaning machine. Results are not guaranteed, but usually cleaning will greatly increase the quality of reproduction while reducing surface noise. Cost is $4.00 per record with a (usually) two to three day turnaround.
Mel's Dad, Murray. Owner of the original CRAM (Camberwell Records and Music) circa 1967.
Used vinyl
Used records
New vinyl
New records
Vinyl shop
LP
LPs
LP shop
Record Sale
Audiophile
Audiophile records
Audiophile record
Audiophile LP
Audiophile LPs