Where to find vinyl from original master tapes


I need to replace some LP's and just get some I don't currently have.
I have been searching & see that there are many different sources to buy from. When I see "German Pressing" or "Japan Pressing" I wonder where do they get their source music from? I find it hard to believe that Capital, Epic, etc. records would send their original masters around the planet for folks to use.
Leads up tp my main question; Any way to tell if an LP has been mastered from the original tape? Buying from a third generation master seems semi pointless.
Thanks, John
jsd52756

Showing 1 response by jsd52756

Wow, thanks for the responses. What got me on this little quest is my Peter Gabriel albums (1st three) have always sounded like ka-ka. After twenty plus years I finally looked at them closer. All three albums, inner tracks have serious bubbles in the vinyl itself. They look like street paving under the naked eye. I am amazed they even played at all. It would have been easier on the needle if I played double aught sand paper.
At any rate I am on the search for new ones, hopefully someone produced new copies using real vinyl without the whoop-de-doos & gravel imbedded.
Thanks, John