new vinyl

[bbbiker800]

Thought I'd just see what others experience is like when buying new vinyl.....

I've just returned to Amazon my replacement pair of Bowie Remasters (180gms). Amazon's speed of delivery and collection of returns is impressive but whilst the 1st lot were packed well - both in mailers placed in a bigger box - the 2nd lot had only one in a mailer and the other just rattled around in the bigger box, unprotected causing sleeve damage. But once more its either pressing quality or post pressing storage quality - the first and replacements (4 in all) all had dishes plus mild warps, one had off-centred spindle hole and one had very noisy grooves. Unacceptable for me. All perfectly fine for someone with a Crossley though I guess they won't be bothered with remasters !

Now, when I order a brand new LP there is never any warning from the retailer that I am contracting into accepting the risk of poor quality LP's. So, in my view I should get acceptable quality. I had the same issue some years ago so Ive been seeking out NM copies of what I fancy from places like Discogs and have had c.95% success i.e the sellers graded their stuff correctly and I've only returned a few of the 40+ i've brought so, on the whole I'm ok with that. Of course I won't pay silly money for 1st presses but new remasters do appeal at an OK cost. So, I had thought that for my birthday I'd treat myself to a few NEW ones - the 1st for say 3 years. And sadly I find that the quality issues are all still here alive and well.

Is it still the same for you or do you have better luck ?

regards richard

[WullieD20]

I think it has to be said that no matter how expensive, or how 'limited' the production run may be, there are faults to vinyl albums that leave me pretty disappointed on many occasions.... Automation and lack of quality control allows poor discs through the system with scratches, warps, off centre holes..... and the list goes on.

How's this for an example of a 180gm / limited edition / high quality disc that slipped through: (:rolleyes:)

https://i.postimg.cc/dZVGJtNb/Saucer-label-2.jpg (https://postimg.cc/dZVGJtNb)

[bbbiker800]

I think it has to be said that no matter how expensive, or how 'limited' the production run may be, there are faults to vinyl albums that leave me pretty disappointed on many occasions.... Automation and lack of quality control allows poor discs through the system with scratches, warps, off centre holes..... and the list goes on.

How's this for an example of a 180gm / limited edition / high quality disc that slipped through: (:rolleyes:)

https://i.postimg.cc/dZVGJtNb/Saucer-label-2.jpg (https://postimg.cc/dZVGJtNb)
That's hilarious!!!.... Never seen anything like it!!

... And I forgot to mention that one of the LPs had lots of vinyl shards over the surface - doh!

[guy]

I think that there has always been a risk in buying new vinyl.

Many years ago I returned a first pressing of Dire Straits "love over gold" to W H Smiths because it kept on jumping.
Shop assistant told me that I should just put a penny on my head-shell (new Rega 2 with ADC XLM at the time, so I told her what I thought of her advice :))

[marf53]

I have found Diverse Vinyl to be very good and get most of my records from there. They are very helpful.

[Jac Hawk]

For me it's a bit of a lottery, like Richard i've bought my fair share of LP's from Amazon and i'd agree with his views, that the packaging is on the whole ok, it's not fantastic but usually it's good enough. Vinyl production is another matter, i can't remember the last time i opened a sealed LP and found it pristine, LP's are usually covered in a mixture of dust, paper and vinyl shards and are unplayable without 1st running through a RCM, add to that warps and hole misalignment as i've said it's a lottery, but something that could easily be fixed by the manufacturers with cleaner packaging facilities and better QC which in my opinion we should already be getting as we are already paying a premium to have the recording on vinyl. Again like Richard i'd rather buy a NM older pressing off discogs going for something that's mid priced usually steers you clear of the piss takers who would badge a used bust bin lid as near mint, they also usually pack the LP really well and are happy to refund if you're not satisfied.

[bbbiker800]

Thats worth knowing Paul; thanks !

[bbbiker800]

For me it's a bit of a lottery, like Richard i've bought my fair share of LP's from Amazon and i'd agree with his views, that the packaging is on the whole ok, it's not fantastic but usually it's good enough. Vinyl production is another matter, i can't remember the last time i opened a sealed LP and found it pristine, LP's are usually covered in a mixture of dust, paper and vinyl shards and are unplayable without 1st running through a RCM, add to that warps and hole misalignment as i've said it's a lottery, but something that could easily be fixed by the manufacturers with cleaner packaging facilities and better QC which in my opinion we should already be getting as we are already paying a premium to have the recording on vinyl. Again like Richard i'd rather buy a NM older pressing off discogs going for something that's mid priced usually steers you clear of the piss takers who would badge a used bust bin lid as near mint, they also usually pack the LP really well and are happy to refund if you're not satisfied.

Agree with all of that Mike and you'd think that Amazon with the volume of returns they must have then, they would complain bitterly to someone that they are wasting money on processing returns and re-deliveries for free (Prime...) and yet with the resurgence of Vinyl and all the special colours and remasters etc etc nothing ever changes. Ho hum !!!

With Discogs I only ever use dealers with 99.8% positive feedback and a decent track record of at least 750-1000 +. I find that safer. They have a reputation to built. I also ask that they double check its really a NM copy with no warps etc. Seems OK so far !

regards, richard

[Pete The Cat]

My bugbear is inadequate packaging and bent corners. Burning Shed deserve recognition for using the best designed mailers for protecting album sleeves.

[bbbiker800]

My bugbear is inadequate packaging and bent corners. Burning Shed deserve recognition for using the best designed mailers for protecting album sleeves.

Cheers worth checking out Pete!

[mikeyb]

At last count I’m just over a third of Amazon Vinyl purchases being returned for various reasons such as damaged sleeves, warped vinyl, poor pressings with flaws in vinyl.

Easy and free return service though.

[Barry]

At last count I’m just over a third of Amazon Vinyl purchases being returned for various reasons such as damaged sleeves, warped vinyl, poor pressings with flaws in vinyl.

Easy and free return service though.

True, but one shouldn't have to go through all the hassle. In the days before the advent of CD, vinyl was the only real source of music, and the pressing plants were churning out tens of thousands of LPs. Obviously there were some that despite passing the manufacturer's quality control, were unacceptable to the purchaser. My local record shop (a family business, now sadly long gone) would always accept returns: in their words "it's the only way the pressing plants will learn".

Not all record vendors were so understanding or accomodating. HMV in Oxford Street were the worse. If you took an LP back they would simply put it on the shop's turntable and say "it plays OK, so there is nothing wrong with it." :doh:

[Pigmy Pony]

[QUOTE=Barry;1265279] My local record shop (a family business, now sadly long gone) would always accept returns: in their words "it's the only way the pressing plants will learn".

Wise words, and applicable to so many things. Tolerating crap quality benefits no one, not even the manufacturers in the long run.

[Martyn Miles]

I bought Analogue Productions’ Beach Boys album ‘Sunflower’ and it was absolutely perfect.
Delivered in a strong cardboard sleeve.

[WullieD20]

I have found Diverse Vinyl to be very good and get most of my records from there. They are very helpful.

I have to agree, having used the team at Diverse for many years..... Always helpful and resolve problems without hesitation.... Highly recommended.


Burning Shed deserve recognition for using the best designed mailers for protecting album sleeves.

Agree here too. Don't think I've ever had to return a single disc and their packaging is excellent. Despite their limited catalogue I would also recommended BS if they have something you are interested in.

[Idlewithnodrive]

I buy quite a lot of vinyl from all sorts of sources.

I'd say the packaging is fine 80% of the time, but the pressings are often atrocious. The amount of warps, minor scratches etc beggars belief; I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't 40%.

Quality is err, variable, if I'm being generous.

[worrasf]

Just returned the only album I've ever bought on Amazon (Kamasi Washington - Harmony of Difference) had the worst warp I've ever seen - packaging was bomb proof and next day delivery but vinyl very thin - almost feels soft.
I usually buy my new vinyl from The Sound of Vinyl and never had a problem. The latest London Grammar arrived last week (Californian Soil) first album I've had on "Eco Vinyl"

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

[da2222]

Just returned the only album I've ever bought on Amazon (Kamasi Washington - Harmony of Difference) had the worst warp I've ever seen - packaging was bomb proof and next day delivery but vinyl very thin - almost feels soft.
I usually buy my new vinyl from The Sound of Vinyl and never had a problem. The latest London Grammar arrived last week (Californian Soil) first album I've had on "Eco Vinyl"

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

Apart from certain audiophile pressings, I'd say at least 90% of my new vinyl purchases in the last 3 years have arrived warped to some degree. QC in pressing is non-existent, packaging or shipping damage is a secondary, minor issue. Don't get me started on the crap quality of recordings too...

[Cas]

Most new vinyl is not analogue anyway, it is just pressed with the digital recording, so whats the point in that other than a money grab ?

[Pete The Cat]

Thought I'd just see what others experience is like when buying new vinyl.....

I've just returned to Amazon my replacement pair of Bowie Remasters (180gms). Amazon's speed of delivery and collection of returns is impressive but whilst the 1st lot were packed well - both in mailers placed in a bigger box - the 2nd lot had only one in a mailer and the other just rattled around in the bigger box, unprotected causing sleeve damage. But once more its either pressing quality or post pressing storage quality - the first and replacements (4 in all) all had dishes plus mild warps, one had off-centred spindle hole and one had very noisy grooves. Unacceptable for me. All perfectly fine for someone with a Crossley though I guess they won't be bothered with remasters !

Now, when I order a brand new LP there is never any warning from the retailer that I am contracting into accepting the risk of poor quality LP's. So, in my view I should get acceptable quality. I had the same issue some years ago so Ive been seeking out NM copies of what I fancy from places like Discogs and have had c.95% success i.e the sellers graded their stuff correctly and I've only returned a few of the 40+ i've brought so, on the whole I'm ok with that. Of course I won't pay silly money for 1st presses but new remasters do appeal at an OK cost. So, I had thought that for my birthday I'd treat myself to a few NEW ones - the 1st for say 3 years. And sadly I find that the quality issues are all still here alive and well.

Is it still the same for you or do you have better luck ?

regards richard


When it comes to mailers, Burning Shed are the best in the business - card that protrudes outwards and protects the corners. All the albums I've bought from them arrive looking like the sleeves have only just been printed and sealed.

As for new vinyl in general, a lot of albums I buy are from small artists with limited pressings and there's an unhealthy obsession with issuing multi-coloured vinyl editions. These conceal a load of surface damage which is very disappointing since when there are only 100-500 copies of an album pressed, your chances of getting a replacement are negligible.

Pete

[Barry]

If it's not available in BLACK vinyl, I don't buy it!

[Pigmy Pony]

I only have about half a dozen albums on coloured vinyl, and that's six too many. I would always choose black given a choice, and if it was coloured vinyl only I'd get it on CD instead.

[walpurgis]

Assuming the pressing is good, I'd think the less filler/pigment particles in the vinyl the better, so presumably the best option would be clear.

[struth]

https://www.yoursoundmatters.com/does-colored-vinyl-sound-worse-than-black-vinyl/

some info here..

[Barry]

Interesting article, and from an informed source - but it won't change my mind: it's BLACK or nothing! ;)

[Roy S]

Helping my other half move, whilst going through stuff turned up some interesting records in amongst the usual tranche of James Last & Frankie Vaughan (top two are still sealed)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51185131056_ef78b21efe_h.jpg

[Barry]

4 out of 4 ain't bad. :)

[rodgerdodger15]

I went to HMV this week for the first time since last year to look at their vinyl. I was shocked to see that nearly all albums were around the £30 mark. So I left empty handed.

[337alant]

Just sold my vinyl collection 500+LPs mainly original A1/B1 copies, just got fed up with the whole LP/ Turntable / Tone arm / £1000 cartridge game
I didn't find new Vinyl to be any better mainly worse
Alan

[Floyddroid]

Good thread Alan. I have bought some crackly f......s lately.

[Floyddroid]

Just sold my vinyl collection 500+LPs mainly original A1/B1 copies, just got fed up with the whole LP/ Turntable / Tone arm / £1000 cartridge game
I didn't find new Vinyl to be any better mainly worse
Alan

Shocked to the core about that Al.

[Phil Bishop]

My experience has been that contemporary vinyl is much more often warped or dished than original vinyl from the 60s/70s/80s, even 90s. It must be something to do with the pressing weight.

However, I have found contemporary vinyl to be very low on surface noise as a general rule.

I generally only buy new vinyl for the pristine sleeves that lend themselves to being displayed.