78RPM Test Pressings - An introduction to test pressings, and five levels of scarcity.

[@alternateunreleasedshellac505]

Digitally archiving these things is of great importance to me.

[@SteveSmith-qy4ty]

Have a shellac one sided 78 of a victor Duncans and Reed take 1 unissued Light in the Valley from 10/10/1927, same session of the issued take 2. Lady coughs during unissued take and references chapter Luke and catches mistake and says Matthews gospel. Two ladies singing and the song differs somewhat. I heard the story of a night watchman a Victor slipped 100 bucks to look the other way. Who knows? Found it hard to get even the issued take 2 as I think it did not sell well even though its from 1927. I think its a beautiful performance. Thank you as I did not know of all the varieties of test pressings.

[@tdunph4250]

Wow!! This was quite interesting. I just got rid of about 40 78's because I felt it was useless and a waste of space to keep them around. You have a very unique and original kind of channel sir!! 👍

[@MrRom92DAW]

I recently found something fairly interesting that I hadn’t encountered before, a “test pressing” (or one-off/low run) of one of Bing’s early 30’s Brunswick sides… but it felt like the pressing was on styrene, like a 45! It’s fairly thin and has that dull hollow plasticy feeling to it that doesn’t quite feel like vinyl. I don’t know much about the polystyrene injection molding process for records other than it seemed to be more common in the 60’s, so I guess it probably dates from back then.

[@MarkAtnip]

I don't recall having encountered one of those. His later issues on Decca (1930's and 40's) were sometimes pressed on a lighter material for promotional, in-house, or personal use. Bing's personal copies of some of his Decca discs were pressed in multi-colored splatter wax, but I haven't seen Brunswicks like you describe. I will add that to things to look for. If you discover any history behind it, let us know!

[@j.pablop.1998]

Love your videos!! Greetings from a music fan in Chile 🇨🇱

[@MarkAtnip]

Thank you so much! It's amazing to me that anyone outside my immediate circle pays any attention to these; much less those from other countries. Thanks for saying hello.

[@j.pablop.1998]

@@MarkAtnip To me it's a real joy to watch your videos!! I've been a music collector since I was a teenager and I have lots of 78rpm records too. I love watching your videos telling stories behind your records and everything! You are very good at that! Thanks for sharing those stories and beautiful music with all of us 🎶🎵

[@bedfordbanjoshop]

I've got a single-faced, 10 3/4" Columbia test pressing of Grenville Walker and his New York Knights playing "Living in Dreams". The handwritten label states "Columbia Custom-Test" and is dated June 6, 1932.

[@MarkAtnip]

I would like to be cool and say "That's a great record!" but I am not familiar with it (I don't think). It would be interesting to hear if you ever make a transfer or post the audio online.

[@bedfordbanjoshop]

Thanks, Mark. Unfortunately, I don't have a way to do that at the moment. The recorder on my phone does not give good results.@@MarkAtnip

[@joshuapuett]

Another great video! I live near Muskegon, where the Brunswick pressing plants were. I've seen a fair amount of test pressings, I'd guess that the employees were buying the test pressings (or purloining them), and that's how so many got around this area. So far, only "level 1s", sadly!

[@MarkAtnip]

Don't be sad about that. Most people never find test pressings of any kind, and the music on them is what makes the difference. I would rather have a common test of something I will listen to than a less common test of something I won't.

[@MAXthespicyvideomachine]

Is there any way to listen to that Doug record??

[@codex3048]

The output of 1920s-30s material on post-1950 vinylite "ex post facto test pressings" is too large to have been the exclusive work of one collector. This went on for decades, and many, many people were involved. As far as I know, no one's ever written an article about this.

[@MarkAtnip]

EDIT: The information below pertains only to Columbia and Victor (and the other labels they owned) as of around 1960. The source of the Gennetts and Vocalions which were made by Decca employees at around the same time could be related, or they could be an entirely different shebang. - - - Allan Sutton (the legendary discographer) wrote an article in 2012 (I think it was for the Journal of the Association for Recorded Sound Collections) in which he noted that a "benefactor" (who Sutton is aware of, but does not name) enlisted a night shift plant supervisor who could have such pressings made as part of the overnight work. At one point the supervisor was taking out 16 - 19 BOXES of records PER WEEK. He then began securing the assistance of other employees, who also helped in the process, both in terms of disc production and in terms of smuggling out discs. Eventually they were instructed by the security staff (who has apparently been made aware of the scheme) that they should slow down to avoid looking suspicious. Multiple employees were leaving with full cases of discs every evening. Other employees (including the archive librarian who was providing...or allowing the procurement of... stampers) were compensated with discs for ignoring the goings-ons. That adds up to a LOT of rare and expensive material in a hurry. This program was in addition to any copies the employees were stamping out for their own use over years and years. I will try and find that Sutton article for you. Thanks for chiming in, and I hope you have managed to get your hands on a few of these : )

[@codex3048]

@@MarkAtnip Fascinating info, thank you. First I've ever heard of that. I knew that this was going on in the 1990s, but didn't know it was happening as recently as 2012, and in such large volumes. Amazing. I guess it's still going on today?

[@MarkAtnip]

@@codex3048 I clearly didn't type that correctly. lol The copies were being made around 1960. The article was done in 2012. That's why I am not a technical writer : ).

[@codex3048]

@@MarkAtnip Ok, I misread that. Thanks for clarifying. Based on this, probably safe to assume that the largest number of vinyl tests of prewar music date from the c. 1960 period.

[@johnwenck6680]

Love these educational vids you are posting. Very informative. Also, I love the record storage piece behind you in this vid. Can you provide any info on manufacturer, model, etc? I'm running out of space quickly. Thanks!

[@MarkAtnip]

Hello! That storage unit was made by Bassett and was located at an antique shop in South Carolina. For my "usual" storage, I use Ikea shelving units... HOWEVER... when I assemble them, I reinforce the joints with thickened marine epoxy to make them extra strong. I know of many collectors that have used Ikea units for years without problems IF they are attached to the wall and secured, however I wouldn't use one unless it was at least secured to the wall with corner reinforcements and preferably with each joint secured with thickened epoxy. Free standing Ikea units without reinforcement can collapse, especially if hit from the side while bearing a lot of weight on the top shelves.

[@johnwenck6680]

@@MarkAtnip Great information. Thank you so much!

[@johnwilde5518]

Hi I’ve a 78 disc with the Victor imposed on the back and the label says Tarzan Yell - Loew’s State Copy, it has what looks like x2 separate track recordings not linked and I’m under the impression it plays from the centre out but not sure, I’ve never played for fear of damage, can you tell me roughly what year this is, the Victor logo does not have the spider web.

[@MarkAtnip]

Hello John! Can you share a photo of the label (with matrix number) to [e-mail]? There was a Tarzan film for which Victor recorded the soundtrack elements in 1932. That would be my first guess, however there are several other options as well. If the disc is shellac, you should be able to play it on a modern turntable without fear of damage (although it won't sound great, it will at least let you know what is actually on the disc). If the disc is a metal based lacquer, hold off on playing it until we have more info. This should be fun!

[@dogerecords5312]

Where would V-Disc and Party Record test pressings fall?

[@MarkAtnip]

I have only seen a few V-Disc tests including one that was unreleased. They are certainly scarce, and there are some pretty aggressive V-Disc collectors out there who would like to get their hands on V-Disc test press material, especially if it were unissued. As for party records, that's tougher, as a lot of party records look like test pressings. (white label, etc...) I am not sure how one would confirm that a party record is a test or not, unless it actually said "test" on the label. Party records are a fascinating sub-genera of the hobby.

[@zachmc2281]

I believe that I have a Judy Garland Test pressing of an unissued take that I read was lost or taken. This version was never used until the 1970's when a greatest hits album was released. The title is "You made me love you" N0. 976A The date is October 1, 1937. Take A used for Decca 1497. Supposedly she sang this song to Clark Gable at his 30th Birthday party. In addition, it's on a Decca Test pressing label. I believe it was done before she signed with MGM. Is this legit. I can send pics of label to any would be folks that can verify or deny. Any input is appreciated. Thanks

[@MarkAtnip]

Hellllloooooo Zach! I have no idea how your message slipped through the cracks. I just saw it! A lot of rare Decca (along with Vocalion and Brunswick) material was (apparently clandestinely) pressed around 1960. If it is on vinyl or polystyrene, it's probably from this era. If it is on shellac, it could be an early test. Either way it's a really cool disc. If the first issue of this disc was on the Greatest Hits Album in the 70's, then your copy would be one of the VERY FEW available to 78rpm disc copies that exist, and there are some pretty aggressive Garland collectors out there that probably haven't seen a 78rpm copy. If you want to send the label (and let us know what the pressing material is) you can send it to: [e-mail].

[@tsuwaque]

Nice guide! But if these records are so rare, almost nonexistent, why not transfer them and share the music with the world? I was watching the video hoping to hear at least a small sample of one of the last three. Do copyright holders care about century-old unreleased stuff?

[@dogerecords5312]

Strangely enough, some companies do still care about their 100 year old material.

[@MarkAtnip]

I hope not, because I plan on posting some of them. You seem to be a good person to ask: Would you rather have it posted in the video, even if it must be excerpted, or have it posted in full form in comments?

[@shellac4682]

Many tests have been issued over the years on small labels - both on LP and CD, especially those devoted to early jazz. Usually the original companies - when they still exist and actually have this material - have zero interest in reissues unless there's money to be made.

[@tsuwaque]

​@@MarkAtnipI would consider putting it both on KZbin for the sake of easier access, and on some kind of website that provides long-term archival in full, lossless form.

[@alternateunreleasedshellac505]

​@@tsuwaqueI don't know if you remember me, but I just wanted to know about your project.

[@BlackPatti78s]

Not related but is there a video of the Columbia Personal Record in your intro? I would love to hear it.

[@MarkAtnip]

There is not, but since you asked, I'll drop it into the Q&A I am planning on doing soon!