Weirdest record defect?

That is likely a pressing problem inherent to the stampers used. Earlier or later pressings using different stampers may be free of this defect. Otherwise the problem is in the master lacquer from which the mother and stampers were made.

If possible you could try returning it to Merge Records.

It sounds like a feature, not a defect.

It's pressing defect or it might be entire batch defective

Not surprised with modern pressings

I got a Sundays LP (RSD I think) with all kinds of weird artifacts not present on the CD.

I'd call it defective and send it back.

I have an LP with a hole too small for a spindle.

Early on in all those colored RSD pressings I noticed all kinds of seemingly-QC-related issues.

I’m a decided member of the camp that holds certain tracks/albums on vinyl as certain old pressings still cannot be bested (for my preferences) by the commercially available digital alternatives, but for the life of me I can’t see why anything more recent that was recorded/(re)mastered digitally is worth having as new pressings other than the tactile virtues in sentimentality (or, depending on one’s age, novelty) for spinning discs.

It also makes sense that a new little-known artist would have problematic vinyl (QC-wise) from a competitive/logistics standpoint: they’re likely at the back of the line against big labels for being able to get albums cut on the medium.

If the OP is a query for my own experience in weirdest record defect, it would have to be a Third Man Records album that was pressed in 50/50 yellow/black translucent vinyl. There is a strongly audible click at the yellow-meets-black boundary in every last groove. Both sides. On every copy I heard (only 4, but if that’s not a pattern…). Meaning “CLICK” is what you hear ~66 times every minute that you listen to that record.
New records and the purported technological improvements… yeah.

I have several modern Merge Records with a variety of problems - distortion, volume drop, unbearable background noise. Honestly, while I like their lineup, I’m at the point now where I will get any pressing that’s not Merge for their artists. I have that record but don’t recall the noise - will check later tonight. 

Weirdest record defect - the word sheep in Ella Fitzgerald’s Goody Goody - every version. Or - the sibilance in Slim Gaillards Jump Session - 3 78’s from different times and all have the same. 

I’ve never experienced a pressing defect that showed up every 90 seconds. The ones I’ve heard happen every revolution as the defect comes around again. It may be in the recording itself, although I can’t imagine how it got there. Every 90 seconds?  Strange. 

I wouldn’t say it’s weird as i’ve heard it in very old 70s vinyl and unfortunately had to throw them away. Ye olde PVC infection.

However, i just recently purchased the Cars original album on a 2016 re-issue. From front to back, both sides, there was the background PVC type woosh. Store suggested i clean it which i did.  No dice.

Back she went and swapped it for Black Sabbath’s original 50th anniversary. Haven’t opened it and dropped the needle yet.  Looking forward to it with fingers crossed.

Untame the tiger, excellent album BTW. 

It is rumble generated by the lathe. Many records have this problem. When you have a large subwoofer array this problem is extremely annoying. This is due to old poorly maintained lathes being used to cut lacquers. 

@heretobuy That is a very common problem if you have a spindle that is exactly the right size and not undersized. I keep a spindle hole drill right by my table. Many spindles are undersized.

I think you mean many spindle holes are undersized.

I went to listen to my new "The Best of Roxy Music" (double LP) and found that one record had the same label on both sides. So much for quality control.

Adding to the spindle hole or spindle itself posts, back in the day and perhaps ongoing there was a range although slight between manufactures actual spindles outside dimensions making certain records a tight fit.

It wasn't a defect, but at least one of my records (can't recall which) had a runout groove that maintained a drumbeat for as long as the record rotated.

Thats probably why I invested in a tone arm lift device.

@rettrussell   Just one, singular beat?

It’s been awhile, but if I recall  correctly it was a single beat (coulda been more)

it had to have been a rock album…..70’s (?)

Found this:

https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?t=66028
 

I bought an LP on e-Bay and it has a lot of WOW and flutter.  Any ideas as to why?

That calls for a rubber tone arm….