Is There a New Record Pressing Machine Out There?


I bought Wilco's newest Album "Cousin" yesterday and noticed something I have never seen before, the record has no lip. The label area remains raised but otherwise the record is dead flat. It is a very heavy record, probably 200 gm. I believe records had the lip to prevent the tonearm from floating off the edge with changers which were way more popular than manuals back in the 40s, 50s and early 60's. With manuals the flat record is easier to cue by hand. 

128x128mijostyn

Showing 1 response by larryi

The lip served two primary purposes--when tables were automatic changes, meaning one record fell on top of another to play the second, third, etc. record, the lip prevented the playing surfaces from rubbing against each other.  The second purpose was to strengthen the record by reinforcing the most delicate and exposed part of the record.  

I have quite a few audiophile pressings that don't have a lip, and they date back a long time.  There is indeed a new pressing machine being put on the market, but, I don't think it necessarily relates to beadles records.