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New LP's and Warping

I know its a reality of the format. Vinyl can and does warp. I have plenty of records that have warps, they play fine. I've been noticing lately though, that a more prevalent amount of new vinyl is lip-warped. This never bothers me when its a limited pressing of an indie record that maybe sat in a distro for years, it'll play, I'm just happy to have found it.

My complaint is when I spend 15 bucks on a new pressing of Coltrane-Coltrane on Impulse Records and its severely warped. Its annoying, and frustrating. This is actually the first time I've asked a store to return it. They made it right, but probably only because I'm a repeat customer.

So, how do you guys approach this? Do you consider it a "cost-of-war" type thing where you just accept it, or are there some release when you fight for that glass-flat copy?
fightingwords
5 responses Add your response
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rauliruegas
13,052 posts
 
Dear Fightingwords: IMHO and specually for the very high prices that the LP have today I think that warps on it is a " severe " irresponsible on the manufacturers/builders: they almost don't care about.

We pay between 20.00 to 50.00 dollars ( some times more ) for new LPs and they give us those LPs with many " troubles ": warps ( even in 200grs LPs. ), off-center, clicks/pops, even " trouble " on the mastering/re-master.

I know that those LPs today manufacturers ( thank you for that! ) can do it better and I hope that in the short time they really take care about.

The subject is not if the " retailers " change the warped LP, IMHO the real subject is that those LPs must come with out warps and the like, I think we are paying for a better LP finish product.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
johnjbarlow's avatar
johnjbarlow
175 posts
 
That's why VPI has a perephiry clamp.
tjnif's avatar
tjnif
77 posts
 
This is one of the reasons I LOVE my Basis Debut Vac. Turntable.....warped records...., who cares, doesn't matter!!
xiekitchen
821 posts
 
I've had the same prob. with some of the Coltrane 180 gr re-issues on Impulse.. not sure why, what with the heavier vinyl and all. Yeah I just play 'em, my setup tracks 'em fine, but that record warp is NOT good for my speakers and I have to watch the driver excusion and volume.
davidsss
43 posts
 
Warped LPs should be returned. One of the biggest problems is that whole batches can be warped so they give you a replacement and it is just as bad. I often ask if the record can be taken out of the cover and spun, without dropping the needle, on a turntable, to see if it is warped. In this situation I guarantee that, if the record is flat, I will buy it.

Warping is becoming a fact of life, but it just shouldn't be. Would you buy a bike with buckled wheels? I wouldn't and I expect a new record to be flat.

DS
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