One Bad Apple

Walked into Don’s record shop sometime in June when I moved back to the Bay Area. He has now become one of my greatest friends because of how curtious and caring he is about his customers. Excellent selection of records and a very cool store. I now have about 75 records because of Don, all of them at excellent prices. I come up here every week on average and always find something new. Thanks Don!
PS…you’re awesome too Dawn! :)

A vinyl goldmine, New records, old records, 33 & ¹⁄₃ long playing albums, 45’s, box sets and collectibles, the owner Don is a great guy who keeps a small store packed with great stuff. The new Foo Fighters album, the sound track to Guardians of the Galaxy, I bought a J. Giels Band live album and Aerosmith’s 1^st album, and while talking to Don I told him about Rory Gallagher and how he was my all time favorite guitarist and when a Rory album, Photofinish showed up in a 500 piece record collection he bought, Don contacted me on facebook (with my permission) and I raced down, okay, he held it for me for 2 days so I could buy it.

I was on a business trip in the Oakland area, and as I do sometimes, I looked for a record shop when I had a little free time. I found the reviews on One Bad Apple and decided to check it out. I’m glad I did! It’s a small shop, but the selection is terrific! Most of the selection seems to be rock, and some jazz, but there are other genres as well. Every record I looked at in the upper bins was in excellent condition. Don cleans all records on a professional VPI record cleaner, and he hand selects what is displayed. He also has a lower set of bins where all records are $ 1. I didn’t look through them, but like anything, I’m sure you get what you pay for. The more collectible items were more than $ 1, but priced fairly.
I talked with Don for quite a while. He is very knowledgeable about music, and is a genuinely nice guy. He really seems to love his business and talking about music. He showed me some of records that had just come in today, and when I wanted a few of them, he cleaned them on the VPI while I waited.
If you are looking for some records, tapes, or even vintage gear, stop in to see Don. Chances are you will find something interesting, and you’ll definitely get to meet a really good small business owner.

Pretty rad little shop with a solid dude behind the counter. Good selection including one of the most comprehensive Sammy Hagar sections ever witnessed.

After reading the great reviews online I finally got the time to swing over to this awesome local business this eve. Found some great gems to add to my budding vinyl collection & Don was awesome. He gave me some great pointers on ways to tweak my turntable for the best performance.
Even when conversation strayed from shoptalk, Don was just a genuine guy to shoot the bull about anything and everything with.
Swing by his joint-​have fun digging and taking your own trips down memory lane, and support a cool local business.
~Hurricane~

On a random road trip to Castro Valley I stopped into One Bad Apple to see what was going on at this new local record shop. I’m so glad I did. Don was more than happy to talk «shop,» explain where the listening turntables where, and couldn’t have made the experience of checking out a new record shop better.
I ended up picking up a few records, telling Don about a new artist he might like, and made plans to return soon.

I have to admit how impressed I was with the level of service Don provides. He really cares about others needs and takes the time to listen carefully to offer what he believes would work for the customer. He is the TRUE picture of what «Amazing» service and «Great» business ethics looks like. I commend YOU Don for the personal touch you provide to your business! I will send you my family and friend so they can experience the same level of service I’ve experienced. Thank you again for all you do on a day to day basis. You truly touch lives and I hope you know that!

This record stores is a diamond in the rough. Excellently curated with a great selection of rock, alternative, classics, etc – priced appropriately in terms of rarity and condition. The owner is very friendly and knowledgeable. I was impressed at how thoroughly cleaned and cared for all vinyl is before it hits the shelves. Definitely recommended.

Once again, I cannot begin to express how pleased I am with Don and the business he is running.
It is always a memorable experience.
If you’re looking for an awesome record store — you’ve got to come on in!
Music never dies!
– Until we do; I guess.

Don is an amazing owner, helpful & truly cares about what you are looking for/​need. Great addition to CV!

Went there today, and I must say it had the best environment among all the record shops I have ever been to. Don was very njce, polite, and most of all informative. This store has a huge selection. I love those bowls and pen holders he made out of the old records. Will visit again soon.

Absolutely amazing little shop for records. It has a very nice cozy feel to it. The owner, or cashier (not sure which) was extremely welcoming and friendly. As a matter of fact, as I was hunching down to browse their wide assortment of $ 1 records, he approached me and asked if I would like a crate to sit down on. I was shocked! I’ve been to so many record stores and that was the first time I was ever asked that. I tend to go for the cheaper vinyl in general, so I really appreciated him asking. I found a dope picture disc of the ET soundtrack, from 1982! Only $ 20 which I felt was more than a fair price. Also picked up a 12″ Busta Rhymes single, was very happy with everything about the store– I will definitely be returning whenever I’m in town. Vinyl heads– look no further!!! This is the place!!! Also want to add the guy is extremely knowledgable and he knows his stuff. You can’t get better customer service anywhere else. A++++++

One Bad Apple is small, but they have a great selection of records in excellent condition. The shop is clean & well-​organized, and the people who rang us up were really friendly and cool. I’ll definitely be going back the next time I feel like expanding my collection.

Great selection of records! And very good prices! Store is neat and the atmosphere is very cool and laid back!

I’m very glad that I stumbled upon this great record shop conveniently located in downtown Castro Valley. I recently purchased a turntable and am working on re-​building my collection. I was surprised at One Bad Apple’s nice selection of rock, soul, and pop albums from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. The staff is very friendly and I ended up purchasing eight albums, all at a very good price. While I live in downtown San Francisco, I will definitely stop by the next time I’m in the area.

We didn’t even know this place existed, but saw the sign out front advertising vinyl records so we wandered in after picking up the dog from the groomer a couple doors down. It’s a very cool little shop with a nice collection of LPs, 45s, CDs, and a few t-​shirts. It’s a nice mix of old and new, average and collectable, and they’re planning on regular shipments of brand new records. The owners are really nice and very knowledgeable, and make it one of those stores where you just want to hang out, thumb through the bins, and yap on and on about music and records. I’ll definitely be going back.

Do you love vinyl? Find yourself reminiscing about the first record you ever owned? Secretly wishing that High Fidelity was your life? Well look no further, you have found your new Mecca. One Bad Apple is a record collectors dream.
Amazing collection of rock, pop and oldies. The über friendly and Super knowledgeable music nerd couple who recently opened this shop are awesome! Kinda like those people you want to be your new best friends.
So excited to make an afternoon on thumbin’ through vinyl a regular weekend activity. Just one more bit of awesome as I settle in to my suburban life after 20 years of city living.
Thank you for making the transition Little bit easier One Bad Apple.

I’ve been meaning to stop into One Bad Apple for awhile now. Finally made it in… what an awesome place. Don had a good selection of Tom Petty, so I was happy. I will definitely be in again soon!

If you’re reading this, you NEED to go visit Don at One Bad Apple. Don is one of the friendliest record store owners I’ve ever met. He is very welcoming, has great knowledge about records (especially rock), and most of all he’s a genuine person. As a person who has gone crate digging all around the Bay Area, I’ve probably had the best experience shopping at his store. I found some great records, all of which were VG+, and even his records in the dollar bin were awesome (a lot in really good shape too).
I’m glad we now have a great record store in Castro Valley with a great record store owner. Keep these stores alive and GO GIVE ONE BAD APPLE A VISIT! And thank you Don for being an awesome guy!

Wow. I was impressed by the selection and service by the owner. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a vinyl record. Takes me back in time. I recommend this shop. It’s worth stopping by and taking a look.