How I Identify a Vinyl Record Pressing

Until recently, Identifying where and when a record was pressed was never easy for. Now I can share how I do it with you :)
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Written & Produced by Rick Coste
You can learn more about Rick and his work at RickCoste.com

[@ChristopherGronlund]

"Yeah -- I know, that was a very bad joke. I couldn't help it." 🤣 A dad joke is the toll we must pay for knowledge!

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

lol. I seem to have an overabundance of them lately.

[@adamlemons7909]

Sweet! Your knowledge and experience never ceases to amaze and impress. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

And thank YOU for watching Adam!

[@noblesavage23]

Solid and insightful. Keep them coming Rick!

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Thank you Robert!

[@jmsafree]

Hi Rick, When I am interested in a used record on Discogs, I go to the all version tab as a start. Then Vinyl, then near mint. I see what is available and then check out the different release pages. Each pressing has a different release page. I can then figure out if its all analog or not. I can also see comments from other folks who have that pressing. I found a great copy of Every Picture Tells A Story, engineered by a fellow maned Gilbert. That record has a great soundstage and it cost me 7 bucks. This method also helped me identify pressings that other folks had problems with (surface noise, pops, warping). The bar code is of course key. When I get the record in the mail, I immediately check to see if I got the correct pressing that I wanted. I used the bar code to search out the Kevin Gray cut of Rumours and Laura Nyro's first album. So I use the data, not to catalogue my records, but to hunt our specific pressings that I am interested in. Time consuming but fun. Joe

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I'm glad you brought that up. I've recently begun hunting for specific pressings to replace some of my older records. Just like you, I start with all versions and focus on Near Mint vinyl first. If I know the pressing I'm looking for I'll pop in the date as well.

[@DannerPlace]

Very helpful, thanks for posting this.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Welcome Dan!

[@neilfisher7999]

Great info Rick! I too bought the High Voltage album back in the early 80's. Sadly I got rid of my original vinyl collection several years ago. I haven't repurchased this one. Instead of trying to recreate everything I used to have, I just started fresh about 5 years ago. I did buy some albums I had in my original collection, but not many. I'm enjoying collecting lots of different things now both old and new music. I guess I should start looking up some of the older titles to see what I actually own. Thanks for doing the hard work to make it easier for me.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Hi Neil! I think if something happened with my collection I would do what you're doing and starting fresh. That being said I think over time I would find myself trying to recreate what I'd lost. That's a really good dilemma you raise. Hopefully it's not one I'll ever face but you never know.

[@neilfisher7999]

I do kick myself sometimes for not keeping those records. I just thought at the time that vinyl was done and it was time to move on. I was only listening to cd's and I have about 500 of those, many were duplicates of what I had on vinyl. Glad I kept the cd's. So now since I have my cd collection that has a lot of what I originally had on vinyl, I'm happy just to play a cd once in a while. I embrace all the formats even though I really like playing a record. Maybe I'll start a "Joy of cd's" channel. 😂

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Love that idea Neil! @@neilfisher7999

[@petrvodkin5001]

Very interesting! Thank you!

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Welcome @petrvodkin5001 !

[@stevebird9510]

I have the High Voltage lp but I also have the original on Albert Procuctions which had a different cover and Title. It was called TNT painted in red on wood.

[@stevebird9510]

@@ChadHarding-dx5re Red , of course 👍🏻

[@spacemissing]

Researching all the worthwhile records I have to determine their exact pressing data would take five lifetimes.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Yeah - I petered out on mine. Really is a Herculean task

[@danielgeiger7739]

Love the multiple tab approach. Had a DUH! moment, why did I not think of that??? Thanks! RE ID-ing records, run outs have been a continuing source of frustration. Occasionally, I just give up and put in the notes field "not sure about version". And sometimes, the version does not seem to be in discogs, or may be a problem that the wax of one record was combined with the inner sleeve of another, and the outer of a third. Oh well. For such records, I don't bother adding a release to discogs, but have added some new titles, particularly of brand new releases, but also some weird classical music. As I generally do not collect versions, I don't bother too much with figuring out the precise version. my 2c

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

It really does get frustrating Daniel. Especially trying to read the runout. I have to constantly tilt the record under the right light to read it. I too have stumbled across some record pressings which are definitely not in Discogs - which is also frustrating when I realize I've wasted the last ten minutes trying to find it.

[@robertfrazier3013]

I find myself using the shapes of the pressing ring(s) that run round the label. Especially when attempting to narrow down different pressing from photos on ebay where you can't see the numbers in the run out.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I never thought of that!

[@UptownReef]

If you simply search for the scribed information on the runout of each record, Discogs almost always will return 1 or 2 results that are exactly the copy and variation you’re holding. Much faster in my experience. I logged all of my records as I cleaned them doing exactly this.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Thanks @UptownReef! I should rely on that more. I'm always afraid the filtered results will somehow miss what I'm looking for. That's my weird hangup.

[@UptownReef]

@@TheJoyofVinylRecords it’s super easy. I rely on it so much now that if the inner groove information doesn’t give me 3 or less results I’m annoyed because I have to look at the notes on each version to determine which one I have.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Thank you for the advice! I will definitely give this a shot going forward. @@UptownReef

[@shanekirschmusic8408]

Nice video!

[@John-zi4ii]

Hello from hudson valley wallkill ny , Thanks for the information on vinyl record pressing identification , it's definitely a science and alot of work, I have a nice size 60s, 70s and 80s record collection that im trying to sell and I at least want to get what they are worth or close too it, but I really do not have the time to invest in identifying the true and full value on what I have, but I'm trying to make the time because I don't want to just give away good money that I might have , there could be a few records I have that are worth alot ?, 😊

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Hi John - yes - I will say it's a lot of work and can get very frustrating. Especially when trying to read the runout etchings. But you're right too - you never know if you have a few gems worth a bit of money there!

[@ronaldarceneaux2975]

Rick, I'm really trying to understand Discogs and how to catalog my vinyl. I have a question pertaining to catalog number on spine. When i buy these Tone Poet vinyl reissues i noticed a B0033798-01 on spine along with A-23. Which is the catalog number? I'm asking because A-23 is on the label as well and so is the B0033798-01 in tiny print. Which one is the catalog number?

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Hi Ronald! That one is on the spine - so the B0033798-01.

[@markkillion8980]

I’m curious. How did you know that an original master disc was used to create the stamper?

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

You know - I’m glad you asked. To be completely honest I don’t recall the source I referenced because I didn’t include it in the video. I did look it up and that’s what it said. I’ll see if I can track it down again

[@stevenmoormann3644]

Can’t find the video where you show how you buy, link please?

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Hi Steven! This should do it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWXNfImug9uEppI

[@gregtapevideo1464]

I try to stay away from club pressings. The masters seem weak. Is there a giveaway on the album jacket I should look for?

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

It's true - club pressings are often inferior. If there's a surefire way I'm not aware of it, but oftentimes the info on the back may reference the music club it was produced for.

[@user-li1mk5nh9x]

I have a new sealed John Lenon Image lp How Can I Tell if it is a .First Pressing LpTy

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Hi Barbara! It is pretty difficult to track that down if it's still sealed. When you open it we will be able to figure it out if you'd like.

[@NoEgg4u]

Taking a clear photo of the stamper code can be challenging. You can be in a well lit room, but your camera blocks the light. Or, your camera is not able to focus that close to the subject. I used to own a point-and-shoot Nikon Coolpix 950, It did a fantastic job with its "Macro" setting. You could get very close shots with great focus. But it still was not simple, because it had no image stabilization. It was really difficult to press the shutter without moving the camera. But when you got it right, you were presented with very up-close photos that were very sharp. Since my iPhone takes very good photos, I have not shopped for a stand-alone camera. But there are probably some very good ones that would do an outstanding job with capturing stamper codes. Anyone have any suggestions (without breaking the bank) that includes image stabilization, or a good mount, or a time-delayed photo that allows you to not be pressing the shutter at the moment that the photo is taken?

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I have still not perfected a way to take a picture of it myself. I still tilt it in the light to try to read it, which is endlessly frustrating.

[@TheReal1953]

Photographing the vinyl surface is extremely problematic. Some unscrupulous sellers know this, take lots of pics and the vinyl looks clean......until you actually buy it online and open the package....yuck. Stay with sellers you've had good experiences with and use the record grading system CORRECTLY.

[@NoEgg4u]

@@TheReal1953 I am interested only in the pressing's sound quality -- not how it looks. How a record looks rarely dictates how it will sound. The only exception is if the record is clearly a visual mess (all scratched up). Most of the time, you cannot hear scuffs, even though they are clearly visible. But countless people do rely on visual descriptions, and your point is well taken. Sellers should not be deceptive in their grading. Alas, I wish that there was a way to grade sound quality. I know of only one seller that grades on sound quality, for each side of each pressing.

[@TheReal1953]

@@NoEgg4u I don't agree....unless the record is 'noisy' from the factory pressing, I've learned to visually inspect records and can predict how they will play 96% of the time. It's a nuanced thing from decades of inspecting the surface and then listening to playback. A lot of people preach that ticks and pops are largely from static buildup. I just don't find that to be a truism. I can see the noise contributors, but you have to keep turning the record on axis and use respectable lighting. Some sellers I trust will not only grade the record correctly but will have cleaned and played it. Then and only then will they give an accurate description of playback. But the clueless rule record sales on eBay. My single-ended dbx noise reduction unit is capable of over 100dB of quieting. No encoding/decoding/pumping.

[@NoEgg4u]

@@TheReal1953You and I are listening for different things. I am basing that off of you using a DBX box for noise reduction. Any box that is added to the signal chain will degrade the sound quality. Some boxes cannot be avoided. You have to have a phono-amp. You have to have a pre-amp. You have to have a power amp. Even in a receiver, those are all there. But adding on another box is sacrilege from my sonic standpoint. If you have to use noise reduction, then something is making noise that should not be making noise. Either some gear or the pressing or a misaligned turntable setting. My best sounding records play with virtually no noise. Years ago, I had noisy vinyl playback. Not terrible -- but noticeable. After dialing in: -- the effective length of the tone-arm -- the cartridge's weight -- the vertical tracking alignment / rake angle -- the anti-skating -- the overhang -- the offset -- the zenith angle and -- the cartridge's azimuth, the noise virtually vanished. If the stylus is not tracing the groove, with precision, it will be rubbing where it should not be rubbing, and you will have noise. Few people know about the above. Fewer, still, make an effort to dial them all in. And even fewer, still, have the tools and the patience and the know-how and the ear to really get it right. I know a professional, and it took him 90+ minutes to dial in my turntable. The improvement made my stereo sound 3x the price. I am not knocking your DBX noise reduction box. If it brings you pleasure, then use it and enjoy. The above is why your visual gradings will not work for what I seek in sonic excellence. No two records have the same sound quality. You can purchase two new albums (the same title), and on a revealing system, they will sound different. They might sound very close. But there will be sonic differences. And in my example, both will have no pressing defects. Both will look pristine. Yet both will sound different. Side one will sound different than side two. I have several titles where I have one pressing for side one, and a second pressing for side two. Visually, they are both clean like new. Again, you and I are pursuing different types of sound quality, and there is nothing wrong with your choice. But it is not my choice. Visual inspections will not tell me what my ears will tell me. Only when the stylus meets the groove will I know if I have a white hot stamper, a dud, or something in-between.

[@TheReal1953]

LOL....dislike Led Zep's III album. Had it twice, tried to like it, gave it away twice. Great info! I did know that a lot is going on in the dead wax script. But, I prefer to keep that a mystery...lol!

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

It’s a mystery best left unraveled 😂