Defective new LPs

[richidoo]

I got this LP for Christmas,
http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/91220/Miles_Davis-Milestones-180_Gram_Vinyl_Record
via Acoustic Sounds which has 30 day return policy for defective items. Technical issues have delayed the first listen, but today was to be the big day. I pull it out to clean it and saw something very unexpected!



The label on side two is not adhered to the vinyl. It is not paper, but a plasticky material that has shrunk from the pressing heat, so now it is a bubble with edges stuck down but with 1/8" height so that the record is held up off the platter by the bubble and wobbles on the bubble.

It makes me so happy! I coulda had a V8 CD!

Should I try to remove the label to make it playable? Should I try to fight with Acoustic Sounds for a return after the return period ended?

I also got a Bill Evans LP:
http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/64742/Bill_Evans_Trio-Portrait_in_Jazz-180_Gram_Vinyl_Record
Lots of surface noise.

I've bought only 4 brand new records since I got into hifi 10 years ago. Each had some kind of noticeable defect. In the future I think I'll stick to used records that were pressed back when vinyl was the main act.

[etcarroll]

Oh man, that stinks!

I'd call and raise hell. Tell them you're posting the issue online and offer to send them link to AN, AC, etc. with your complaint.

[sleepyguy24]

Thank God I haven't encountered the issues you have professor. Most new vinyl I have bought hasn't had surface noise or the label issues you show.

Well I found my Acoustic Sounds member ID and submitted 1 star reviews for both pieces of music on your behalf. We'll see if the reviews appear. Their policy on reviews is 3 days before they post. We'll see if they made it through. I used most of your wording on the reviews but submitted it under my user ID. If Acoustic Sounds contacts me I'll let you know what they say.

[richidoo]

Thanks Dean.  I don't really care about the label, I can peel it off, or just play it as is on my Ring Mat. I do care about the surface noise but now I know I have to accept it on new LPs or just buy CDs.

The RTI remastering EQ is very disappointing, unmusical, agressive punchy distracting. People who can EQ a jazz album musically are no longer in the biz. The skill was already gone by the 80s.

Does anybody know where to find original versions of records like this from 60 years ago? I know it will cost a few hundred bucks, but where do I look for them?

Edit: I found them on ebay, some at same price as the new one.

[Scott F.]

Been a little while since I've posted 

A local shop called Euclid Records has an excellent selection of jazz on vinyl.

http://www.euclidrecords.com/

http://www.euclidrecords.com/catalog/category.jsp?id=72&page=30

Their ratings are pretty spot on. Their pricing is average to a little high but many times, they are the only one that carries a decent copy of what I am looking for.

This is just me but I've had such crappy luck with [regular] new releases that I simply refuse to buy them anymore. You are exactly right when you say the people doing the vinyl masters are clueless on what good vinyl sounds like. MP3s sound better than most new vinyl. In turn, I'll stick to buying used, white label promo mostly. I don't require WLP out of jazz though. It typically is mastered pretty well.

[Triode Pete]

Picked up the 45 RPM so called Premium Vinyl Quality Record  Pressing of Getz / Gilberto... Terrible Sound Quality... My original Verve 33 1/3 is SO MUCH BETTER! Too bad it's scratched up a bit...

A recent 45 RPM re-release of Brubeck's "Time Out" is superb, though... The definitive recording for "Time Out", IMHO...

Pete

[richidoo]

I wrote to RTI. Rick Hashimoto wrote back quickly with advice:

"Hi Rich,
Sorry for the problem.  What I suspect you have is a"double label ".
If that is true you should be able to remove it.  My suggestion would be to carefully slit it with an xacto blade - don't cut the label underneath, attached to the vinyl.  Once that is done, it should be easy to carefully, slowly pull the outside label off.
I hope that works for you.  Let me know.
Best regards,
Rick"

I gave it a try today, the extra label peeled right off. It is a paper label with plasticky ink layer. It was only glued at the edges, glue was no stronger than a post-it note.

[richidoo]

I will sell this extra label as a freak unobtainium collectors item souvenir. Hang it on your bedroom wall, or frame it in the living room. Perfect condition, slightly wrinkled proving its authentic double label status. To cover my LP purchase, it is priced at $25, shipped!

[rollo]

Argh ha the Ole double label trick eh !   



charles

[sleepyguy24]

I finally got hit with a defective new LP. I bought a NIN 4 LP set and the 3rd and 4th discs were badly warped. The 1st 2 discs were not warped.