Record Store Day is this weekend – here's how to build your own record collection

For Wolfgang “Wolfie” Schiblhut, finding the ideal location for his record store was a case of third time lucky.

After operating out of locations in Stirling and Parkside, the property at 154 Magill Road proved just right.

“My first two shops had a cafe next door, but I always wanted a coffee station in the shop,” he says.

“Now I have more space so I can make customers a cup of coffee — I'll give it to them for free if they buy a few records — and I have a courtyard where they can put their dogs while they go through records.”

Wolfie's Records is located is just metres away from the legendary Big Star Records, which Schiblhut views as a huge asset.

“In places like Brunswick in Melbourne, you can find ten record shops on the same street,” he explains.

So I love being just down the road from Big Star. In fact, I wouldn't mind if another one opened!

I think it's great for customers — it makes Magill Road a real destination for record collectors, and if I don't have something I can send customers next door.”

Inside the store, you'll find thousands of records (including an impressive selection of classic jazz labels), racks of vintage clothing, CDs, tapes and an entire room filled with vintage stereo equipment.

“I always say a hi-fi needs to sound nice,” says Schiblhut. “But it has to look good as well.

So we have a lot of great-looking speakers with a walnut timber or black polish finish.

Some brands are timeless and we specialise in 70s speakers and power amps that have withstood 50 years.

After we've serviced them, they will probably go for another 30 years. That's the beauty of vintage!”

Record Store Day is Saturday, April 12

Wolfie's advice for budding record collectors:

Start with good equipment

Before spending money on records, make sure you've got a decent turntable. A cheap turntable with a faulty needle can damage the records, and they sound much nicer with a decent turntable, speakers and amp.

Keep them clean

Don't pick records up with your fingers — hold them by the edge and use a brush to get the dust off before playing them. If the record is dirty, cleaning it with a cloth and spray can rub dirt into the groove instead of getting it out, but I have a professional ultrasonic cleaning machine that I offer to customers.

Start small

Prices can vary a lot between pressings, but they sound pretty much the same unless you have really good equipment. So it's a good idea to start with some cheaper records to get a taste for collecting. We've got an entire room of $10 records that might have a little rip in the cover, but they still sound great and there's some very cool stuff in there.

Visit today!

154 Magill Rd, Norwood
I: @wolfies_records
E: wolfgang@wolfiesrecords.com.au