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Ali Tait
01-08-2014, 10:47
Anyone have any?

Just unexpectedly won a box set of master laquers on ebay. These are unplayed and sealed.

The question is - do I play them or not? What would you do?

These are one offs, but on the other hand are the closest I'll get to the master tape, so I'm very tempted to play them.

Ali Tait
01-08-2014, 10:51
What gets me is that sealed copies of these masters are not much cheaper than I paid for these.

Stratmangler
01-08-2014, 10:54
Interesting dilemma Ali!
Who is the artist?

Ali Tait
01-08-2014, 11:04
Tis this-

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sarah-McLachlan-Mirrorball-45rpm-Lacquers-Box-Set-/171398644358?ssPageName=ADME%3AB%3AEOIBSA%3AGB%3A3 160&ViewItem=&item=171398644358&nma=true&si=T3Bxf41kYj5OKsxaqXIsW6MWfI8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Stratmangler
01-08-2014, 11:36
I understand your dilemma.
I finks I might be looking at alternative playback methods if I were in the same boat.
The lacquers won't be as robust as a vinyl pressing, and who knows, now that the cat is out of the bag the artist might come looking to buy the lacquers off you.

Ali Tait
01-08-2014, 12:35
Aye, think you're right, given the fragility of these from what I've been reading, might be better to leave them unplayed. Bet they sound good though!

Stratmangler
01-08-2014, 12:41
Bet they sound good though!

I'll bet they sound amazing!
I've done a small amount of digging and found this http://www.diversevinyl.com/item.php?id=daaaf02ceb381f7c3ad386572706cd91

DSJR
01-08-2014, 12:42
Lacquers can only be played ONCE or possibly twice before terminal irreversible damage is done. I used to have a Blue Nile one with 'Tinseltown' and 'Regret' on it. Sounded incredible the first couple of plays, but lost the vibe after this. The remastered CD is far better and can be played as often as you like ;)

I'd do some Googling on digitising rare records, the kind of pickup needed etc. Modern home-studio A-D's don't cost the earth and perform really well if you record at the right volume. Playback is apparently indistinguishable to the original record, I'm told by those who have done it!

Macca
01-08-2014, 12:53
Aye, think you're right, given the fragility of these from what I've been reading, might be better to leave them unplayed. Bet they sound good though!

Unless you bought them as an investment you surely have to play them at least once?

YNWaN
01-08-2014, 12:58
. The remastered CD is far better and can be played as often as you like ;)


Or, better still, use the CD is a drinks coaster - perfect table protection forever and 'legacy format' proof ;).

DSJR
01-08-2014, 12:59
Or, better still, use the CD is a drinks coaster - perfect table protection forever and 'legacy format' proof ;).

But the Blue Nile vinyl as originally pressed is so inferior and even a Decca can't bring much of the magic back :(

Ali Tait
01-08-2014, 13:15
I'll bet they sound amazing!
I've done a small amount of digging and found this http://www.diversevinyl.com/item.php?id=daaaf02ceb381f7c3ad386572706cd91

Saw that cheers. Different pressing though.

Ali Tait
01-08-2014, 13:16
Lacquers can only be played ONCE or possibly twice before terminal irreversible damage is done. I used to have a Blue Nile one with 'Tinseltown' and 'Regret' on it. Sounded incredible the first couple of plays, but lost the vibe after this. The remastered CD is far better and can be played as often as you like ;)

I'd do some Googling on digitising rare records, the kind of pickup needed etc. Modern home-studio A-D's don't cost the earth and perform really well if you record at the right volume. Playback is apparently indistinguishable to the original record, I'm told by those who have done it!

Thanks Dave, think I'll leave them alone then.

Ali Tait
01-08-2014, 13:17
Unless you bought them as an investment you surely have to play them at least once?

That's the problem, it was a spur of the moment thing, and I never thought I'd win the auction. I also didn't realise how fragile they are.

Ali Tait
01-08-2014, 13:19
Here's a copy from these masters-

http://www.discogs.com/buy/Vinyl/Sarah-McLachlan-Mirrorball/134202136?ev=bp_titl

Not that much cheaper!

Stratmangler
01-08-2014, 13:26
Ah, the 200g Classic Records pressings.
I heard that they had a lot of problems with the 200g stuff.
I remember DtB having returned several copies of Hot Rats because they weren't the best pressing, and he ended up with a normal weight one which is really nice.

Ali Tait
01-08-2014, 14:02
Is that so? Interesting, hadn't heard that.

Stratmangler
01-08-2014, 14:13
Another check on the Diverse Vinyl website shows just 5 titles from Classic Records, whereas before the 200g pressings appeared there were at least 100 titles.
That speaks volumes I think.

Ali Tait
01-08-2014, 15:00
It does indeed, cheers Chris.

NRG
01-08-2014, 16:03
Thanks Dave, think I'll leave them alone then.

Good move Ali, play them once and it's a good way to loose your $200!

NRG
01-08-2014, 16:05
Ah, the 200g Classic Records pressings.
I heard that they had a lot of problems with the 200g stuff.
I remember DtB having returned several copies of Hot Rats because they weren't the best pressing, and he ended up with a normal weight one which is really nice.

Limited number runs can be problematic apparently, I've read it takes a while for the stamper to fully come up to an even temperature and the fist 100 or so pressings may be below par.

Stratmangler
01-08-2014, 16:16
Limited number runs can be problematic apparently, I've read it takes a while for the stamper to fully come up to an even temperature and the fist 100 or so pressings may be below par.

They didn't have issues with the 180g pressings they used to do.
Both of the Classic Records albums I have are lovely pressings. They're also pre Quiex vinyl, which made an appearance around the same time as the 200g pressings.

Barry
01-08-2014, 17:47
Why did you bid for them Ali?

If it was as an investment, then obviously you don't play them. If to be played then, as Dave has said, a back-up copy needs to be made: either a 15 ips tape or a CD.

Ali Tait
02-08-2014, 12:57
When i bid for then I didn't know how fragile they were, it wasn't with the thought of an investment, however now I do know of their fragility I'll just leave them sealed.

daytona600
02-08-2014, 15:07
http://snvinyl.co.uk/epages/eshop943300.sf/en_GB/?ObjectID=25974380&ViewAction=ViewProduct

Classic Records was bought by analogue productions , have the 200g 33rpm Sarah McLachlan classics myself but i assume the newer 45rpm 200g will sound better

Mr Kipling
02-08-2014, 20:34
You'll have to search out a Finial Laser Turntable in order to play them without damage.

The inventers were an American group BTW who sold the rights to BSR Japan, who changed their name to ELP. Finished product became available with the likes of archieve llibraries buying it. The BBC might have one.

It's a great live album and one of my favourites. Even the standard cd sounds quite good.

Ali Tait
02-08-2014, 21:40
Yes, thought about one of those, only way to play without damage.