I always take the path of least resistance and go first to Amazon. If something I am interested in is available on LP or CD, I scan down and look at the production information. You can always see who is doing the issue. It is remastered? Is it produced by the original issuer or under license to a known entity like Rhino. Amazon has so much to offer both in new and used. I have been buying more used than new lately and have never had an issue. Plus, I have the power of Amazon's no question return policy should an issue ever arise. Free delivery in most cases. As I said, path of least resistance.
Vinyl Lovers
After a marathon session of ultrasonically cleaning some of my vinyl treasures, I discovered that a few of them had what I'll call "skip-scratches" on various cuts. I have many more to clean (i.e. somewhere around 5 to 6 hundred, mostly original 60s & 70s LPs) and fully expect to encounter more bruised babies along the way, not all of which I'll probably replace with vinyl re-issues or re-pressings. Some of my all-time favorites, however, I definitely will want to replace, providing I can find good quality re-issues/re-pressings. I know there is much to learn about this, and I am just beginning to scratch the surface (no pun intended). For example, there are issues of so called "virgin vinyl", quality of the vinyl mix, thickness of vinyl, recording from original master tapes, if still in existence and in good condition, quality of the actual pressing process, etc., etc., etc.
So, I guess my question for you all who know much more about this than I, is where the best places are to buy the best quality vinyl re-issues or re-pressings. Local record shops are few and far between and most of them don't have much in the way of variety or stock in anything other than used records. I'm familiar with Discogs but, frankly, am reluctant to buy used records on-line because I don't entirely trust the purveyors' ratings and the endemic hassles of possible returns. Most of the re-issues/re-pressings I've purchased, thus far, have been from or through Music Direct. I've noticed that some of their offerings actually come from companies like: Island Records; Impex; RHINO and other sources.
So, what are some of your go-to, solid, reputable standbys?
Thanks Much!
Showing 3 responses by bigtwin
@mijostyn I fully agree with your comment re returns to Amazon. I would say 25% of the vinyl purchased has gone back. However, that speaks to the problems with LP's and to the beauty of Amazon's return policy. I recently bought a Lee Morgan LP issued by Blue Note under their Tone Poet Series. The first copy had a couple of bad pops that Ultrasonic cleaning would not remove. It went back. The second copy was just as bad. It went back. The third copy was a keeper. Again, this speaks to the problems inherent with vinyl, and why Amazon remains my first option as I know there are going to be returns. Cheers. |
@ghdprentice They must do something different is the US as my complaint in Canada is the ridiculous waste in over packaging. First, they put the LP in a special cardboard enclosure, made specifically for LPs and that should be sufficient to protect the package in most cases. Hey, stuff happens. But then they take this prepackaged LP and put it in a box, often with some bubble wrap. I have never had an LP from Amazon arrive damaged. But I still have a high return rate due to Vinyl quality that is unacceptable at today prices. I can't see that changing no matter where the LP is shipped from. But I can see the returns being a bigger problem. To be clear, I am not a shill for Amazon. They just work for me. Cheers. |