cktimes.ca Archives for Classic Vinyl


Classic Vinyl

With Allan Day

TEST PRESSINGS/ACETATES/METAL DISC PRESSINGS/PROMO DISCS

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Stones Promo Miss You

Big Brother Holding Company Test Pressing Stones Tattoo You Test Pressing Japanese Jumpin Jack Flash Acetate Jagger Satisfaction Acetate

Collecting vinyl has always been a passion of mine---even though I sold a lot of my collection as most hobbyist do tend to over collect--I just kept my Stones and Blues collection and many of the Garage Bands albums from the 60's ---one aspect of collecting vinyl is the Test Pressing/Acetate/Metal Disc Pressings and Promo Discs---these are amazing little relics to have in one's collection. I have managed to get a few Stones test pressings over the years--I have as yet to get a metal acetate (there are also a lot of counterfeits out there) as they run in the hundred's of dollars, so be sure you are getting the real deal.

I did sell my perfect copy of Janis Joplin with Big Brother and the Holding Company's CHEAP THRILLS---always regretted that so I set out to purchase another perfect copy---well I found a Great Deal on Ebay recently and came upon a Still Sealed Test Pressing from the UK---Test Pressings are literally the first new pressings which come off the record presses. Test Pressings are used primarily to double check that everything is in order, for instance--- have the right lacquers been used---are the A and B sides correct and does the overall sound quality come up to standard?

Note, that because Test Pressings are the first off the presses, they are often subject to a greater degree of blips, clicks, and pops etc. because the whole process generally needs about 70-100 pressings to roll-off before all the grooves are nice and smooth. Hence, when you listen to Test Pressings, be aware that the fidelity, in many cases, may not be up to the standard of a full manufacturing run finished product.

Test Pressings may not be as ideal as finished copies in terms of overall fidelity---what you do have is a COLLECTORS ITEM TEST PRESSING of which there are usually only 20 copies of each title ever supplied---a CHERISHED LITTLE ITEM TO HAVE.

What is an acetate---an acetate is the transitional stage between the master tape and the finished vinyl record---originally acetates were used for home recordings in the days before tape recorders. A machine actually cuts the grooves into the acetate like a lathe. This can be computerized, or done manually by the engineer. The acetate is used to assess whether the music has been successfully transferred to the disc. There may be only one copy made of a particular recording and sometimes more are cut and sent to the studio and band members for approval. These are the collectible ones to find out there in the collecting world as it is unusual for more than a dozen to be manufactured---A RARE FIND INDEED !!!!!!

Spotting an acetate, look for the following---usually 1 sided, with no grooves on the reverse---very heavy---will ring with a metallic sound when tapped, has a second, off-centre hole near the middle and labels are typed or handwritten. Some of my test pressing and acetates have a very distinctive strong vinyl smell to them and a purplish hue that is almost see thru.

In this week's photo's I have included a Tattoo You Test Pressing from the Speciality records Corporation and Mick Jagger's Ext Remix of "Sweet Thing" from 1993----also a Japanese pressing of "Jumpin Jack Flash" (very cool) a composition of a unreleased Jagger/Richards "We Were Falling In Love" on Emidisc Records made in Britain and a broadcast acetate of Mick Jagger at the Tokyo Dome in Japan limited edition no. 16/50

Promo Disc's in the 1950's were released with handwritten white labels (similiar to acetates) and were sent to the people directly involved with the record release and possibly a few might have made their way to radio stations---in the 60's and 70's, promos became more widespread under the DEMO craze with white labels and a big "A" on the A side---sent mainly to radio stations. In the 1980's the Promo disc came into its own---more clubs wanted these discs, radio stations demanded them and the 12" format, disc dance versions gave a new importance to the demand. In the 80's, record collecting was gaining as a hobby and collectors were hot for these instant rarities.

Today, more promos are being distributed than ever before---it is not unheard of for a big name DJ to recieve 200 of these discs a WEEK!!!! The DJ's rate these songs (personal response and performance on the dancefloors) Responses are compiled and make the DJ charts, which is a vital aspect for the recording industry and royalties are paid for this and the release may be in profit before a single record is even sold.

For all you vinyl lovers out there who are looking to protect your investments, check out http://www.bagsunlimited.com/cart/browse.asp?ca...M5QodP1iS_A they have all the cleaners, poly sleeves and paper sleeves you will ever need---I highly recommend the Clear Record Sleeves---they display the front covers with a nice clear view, and they are almost invisible on your record shelf---not like the most popular vinyl sleeves that make albums look blurry after a few months shelf life and bulk up on your record shelf.

Check out this weeks youtubes for your enjoyment Janis Joplin and Big Brother "Summertime" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8npK1q6LY9Q Janis Joplin "To Love Somebody" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkGUt4QYc08&feat...ure=related Janis Joplin with Tom Jones "Raise Your Hand" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ib2b4BOZIQ&feat...ure=related


Hope you enjoyed this weeks column and see you in 2 weeks---contact me at bluesslider88@yahoo.ca or at cktimes with any comments you would like to make about classic vinyl



Allan Day----long time acquaintance of John Gardiner----I presently live in Goderich Ontario, retired (oh yeah) and live for the sound of music, especially from the 60's music explosion---I hope you enjoy some of my articles and they bring back some lost memories of bands gone by. Now I have to let you know that I am a HUGE Rolling Stones fan, collector, historian and I hope to hear any stories you might have on this GREAT Band from the 60's----email me at CK Times and let me know what you have or memories you have of this group. I will include stories and short stories on The Stones each week.