Man that Japanese la woman with the obi strip is a holy grail! I found the doors a few years after my grandpa passing and found out it was his favorite band too, and every time I spin a the doors record it feels like he's here with me
One thing to look out for is when the inner paper sleeve has advertisements for other records. If you've picked an album that was released in, for example, 1972 and the inner sleeve is advertising records that were released in 1980, its unlikely to be an original. Seems obvious but was something that I fell for a number of times when I first started collecting. All part of the learning experience though. Great video, keep up the good work!
Only problem with that is vintage owners. Sometimes they ruined the original inner sleeves and just grabbed a replacement. So you could have a 1972 original with a 1980 inner sleeve because the previous owner was careless with their original paper sleeve.
@@Theomite That is very true, and a way to tell is by looking at all of the other hallmarks, including the label because they do change from when initially pressed so best to know one, what the original label was to help you determine and it DOES take some sleuthing to find that out.
"seems obvious but" Literally no "but". If you're seeing a 1972 release and you see ads for releases for 1980, you don't dismiss that as "oh, people in the 1970s were psychics, it's just a silly quirk of the 70s". If I saw an original pressing of Frank Sinatra and saw ads for Taylor Swift, I'd know for sure it wasn't an original lol. Come on bro.
So helpful! I’ve been collecting for 12 years and still don’t always get it right. This is one of your more important videos, Dillon. Thank you!!! ❤️🎶❤️
I just started at 43 years old. Discogs is a great resource however it also prevents you from ever finding a good deal on ebay or record stores bc everyone thinks their records are worth the max. My first buy was Abby Road from 1969. Cant believe how nice it looks. I think garage sales or estate sales might be the only real way to get a deal. Any record can be bought on discogs its just the prices are super high.
A couple of points; 1. Various people have different ideas of what a first pressing is. Are you looking for the first stamper from the first mother from the first lacquer? Or does it just have to be in the year and the country of release? 2. There are many clues that allow experienced collectors to say when a record was pressed. In Decca/London, the ink color changed gradually during the 70s - the silver got duller, and the maroon became more and more washed-out. It is true that many sellers don't know much. An eBay seller once sold me the Speakers Corner reissue of the Zubin Mehta performance of Holst's Planets, thinking it was a Decca original. They don't put any identifiers on the reissues, and it was an exact replica. Even the deadwax was a replica, because Speakers Corner had hired Tony Hawkins, the original Decca mastering engineer, to master the lacquer, so stamped in his Decca engineer code of 'K'.
I've been able to find some records that I probably wouldn't have at all cared for if it wasn't for discogs. Recently picked up a copy of Strange Days by The Doors for $20, it was a bit more than I wanted to pay but it was in great shape and I was getting records for quite cheap that whole day so I went for it. Next day I was putting all of my finds that day into discogs and I got to Strange Days. I'd put in what I was able to make out from the matrix, and there was about 5-6 results. I went through all of the first ones and none of them matched, I got to the last one and it finally matched up. I ended up getting a near mint first pressing worth around $100 for $20.
Thank you very much. Getting back into records 40 years after I first jumped in. This is such a great help to me determining the provenance of a record.
Very interesting video It can be a complicated process sometimes determining what pressing is what but is very rewarding. I remember when I bought an Australian copy of "Beatles No.1" and "Twist and Shout" I found out these particular copies weren't actually on Discogs, I actually had to add them onto Discogs which shows that not every pressing of a record has been catalogued, even for very popular bands, let alone more obscure records.
One of the earliest albums with a barcode is Duty Now For The Future by DEVO from 1979, to the point where they put the barcode in the album artwork itself
Wow, thanks for the info. Literally new to collecting records. Only Got 4 records for the first time ever and I was able to use your information and knowledge to figure out 3 of them are original pressings and one is a reissue. Glad I stumbled across your video cause now I know what to look for when I go to check out records.
This my first video watching of you and I subscribed. Would my guess be wrong to say your from NC? Live there for several years and when I listen to you it sounds like your from NC. And the hurricane story about being at the beach sounds like NC too lol. I’m from Hawaii. Anyway take care
I've been wanting to know this information for so long. When other RUclipsrs talk about vinyl records I think they assume we know what all this means first second pressing and where to find it. Thank you Dylan
I’m going to need to watch this again. This is something I definitely struggle with. I have used discogs to look up albums, but often, especially with older records, I can never find an exact match. 🤷🏻♀️. I do appreciate the tutorial and will keep trying.
Thank you so much for your videos! I just bought my first record player this week and have been in search of my favorite albums. Found an original Canadian pressing of Dreamboat Annie from Heart in my local record store and used what I learned from your video (and Discogs) to ensure it was what I was looking for. Super helpful for this newbie to the vinyl world!
They used color vinyl to categorize earlier records (usually 45s when I see it) into genre. One color (translucent, btw, not solid like most modern color vinyl) meant it was a country/western song, another meant it was a “race record” (literally what they called it… usually blues, jazz genres and related). A few videos around here that go into the specifics.
Interesting info! I'm 62 and never heard of that practice, but then I kinda missed the 45 RPM format collecting/buying & 9,999 out of 10,000 LPs one sees or has seen since the 1960s are black(!)
I just recently found your channel and am learning so much. I am caught up on the current ones and am in the process of going back and watching the older ones. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with a newbie.
Super helpful! Wish I knew these tricks before I started buying. One more I've found useful: sometimes there are Club editions which have a specific code on the jacket somewhere like CRC
Thanks for the video. Yes, Discogs is my main go-to-site, absolutely. Sometimes, you can get a Frankensteined record, where cover and label or matrix don‘t really match. I then file it under the right matrix number, even though the cover might vary. Just had this issue with a twofer with Procol Harum‘s Shine On Brightly, where everything is a UK 1972 reissue on Cube, but the record is the German 1968 Polydor pressing.
This brings up a couple different pressings I have of Turn of the Cards by Renaissance. One is an early pressing from when Sire was owned by Gulf + Western. My other one is from when Sire was owned by ABC. There are also Sire/Warner pressings of it as well. Looking for ABC on the label is key to knowing if you have a first press of the Ramones debut. Ownership of whatever the company was owned by is a good way to figure it out.
I just love your posts / videos dude. I have been collecting vinyl for over 30 years and I am still learning stuff. I did not know about the history of barcodes. I must have been hiding under a rock all of these years.
I have an ebay store selling music. I sell primarily CDs and cassettes. I have picked up some vinyl over the last few years but have been very apprehensive to sell because I just don't trust my grading judgment yet. Your videos are helping me so much.
So glade I found your channel today...you gave me the the resourses to find an album and a piece of music I have been searching for for about 20 some odd years...Thank Uou!
Listen up young bucks (and record lovin’ ladies), because this guy drops pearls of wisdom! The internet makes us all experts, but seriously this guy knows what he’s talking about. See lots of vids from others who don’t, but I’ve been around records off and on since about 5 years old, and I’ve learned a lotta new tricks from him. Thanks for the knowledge brother and keep ‘em coming!
Obi (sash) An obi (帯) is a belt of varying size and shape worn with both traditional Japanese clothing and uniforms for Japanese martial arts styles. Originating as a simple thin belt in Heian period Japan, the obi developed over time into a belt with several different varieties, with many different sizes and proportions, lengths, and methods of tying. it is not Oh Bee Eye, just trying to do my part to help.
Super Helpful. My Late Hubs was an ON air DJ and I am finally tackling his library to catalog and sell so this gives me a realistic idea of what I have (45, 33, 78, CDs. Cassettes, plus his component system and speakers. YIKES But time to reclaim the extra bedroom.
Wow, your knowledge is vast and your best asset is your incredible articulation with no dead air or confusion. Been a collector for 57 years, and will tell you that the greatest album is not "Kind of Blue, Pepper, or Pet Sounds, or the album behind you, "Love Forever Changes!". It is a "greatest hits" album propelled by the greatest bassist that ever lived
I think I figured it out by reading another comment by you. It’s James Jamerson - record is “The Temptations Greatest Hits” - thank you for that. Jamerson was/is the best!!
Great video! It is very hard to find a 1st pressing of Otis Blue or any Otis Redding for that matter. I actually prefer the reissues on certain Jazz and rock records. I think the sound quality is much better but I also love nostalgia behind owning the first pressings too.
Great advice, wish I had seen this when it came out. Glad you mentioned the pink vinyl Floyd Animals album because I have that one. I've done the buy it before you look just two weeks ago, I found a used record store I hadn't been to and I was so exited when I saw a Link Wray from 1990. I just grabbed it. I got lucky. Thanks. 100 thumbs up.
Hey Dillon, longtime viewer, lover of oldschool rock n roll like you. You've inspired me to become part of the vinyl community. Bought my first suitcase turntable and a few records today. Excited to be a part of the community!!! Hope to checkout Noble Records someday. Let me know if you can ship to Wisconsin.
This is excellent advice that I have been using for years. Also use your cellphone to check the sources that he list while in the store. While doing your research some record stores will place a record that you are interested in on hold, some won’t. I have been to some record stores and he is right the owner or worker didn’t know what they had, but some record store owners are incredibly knowledgeable.
Went to a store where the owner actually had the privilege of recording some great folk artists and saw many of them live. Needless to say he was extremely knowledgeable, made the experience 10 times better
Thank you for the information you provided! It's going to be really helpful to me, when I'm shopping for vinyl records! Take care! Keep spinning the vinyl!
Yeah man, I got excited about a Parliament Osmium the other day. Everything about it looked old school. The sticker from the shop said UK pressing and I quickly looked at the back and confirmed. Slid the record out real quick and verified the condition was good. So of course, I bought it. Then later when I was examining further to figure out exactly which pressing so I could add it to my Discogs... There it was. A damn website address right on the label 😂. Turns out it was a release from 2016, lol. Good thing is, it's still worth about what I paid for it. But I definitely learned a valuable lesson.
Yeah I practically burn every inch of the jacket with my eyes looking for websites because I know that no label is gonna skimp on a website address if it existed so I do that too. If it was Parliament, I'd look up the matrix # right then and there.
In norway there is a site called norsike that is dedicated just to norwegian records. I can imagine there might be similar sites in other countries as well? Sometimes I can find things there that are not on discogs or popsike.
Love to read the little messages on the inner dead wax things that say, "ode to a duck" or a "duck is as good as a nudge, Steely Dan albums, Outlaw albums were notorious for these tidbits, I'm 70+, 45's and albums that I bought in 60's and 70's are still in my cabinet, have a 45 I bought that has John Forgety singing and playing on it before CCR thanks for the infro.
I'm 62 and a retired public school music teacher who believes in a tenet we purposed to the kids: life-long learning. And tonight I learned that the empty groove devoid zone at the end of a record is called 'Dead Wax' That's a cool term! I have a few comments to make about my experiences with records but for tonight it will suffice to say that I had mothballed my turntable & related gear since around 1989 when I bought my 1st CD. About a month ago while prepping my house for moving, etc. I got it out & found some records I could get to, esp. one from the early 80s me & some buddies in a working band really liked, played it and I had an emotional/aesthetic/bittersweet/nostalgic experience that I just haven't had in a long while...in regards to music! Wow, remember prepping/cleaning a record & cueing it up!? Semi-ritualistic (kinda like the late afternoon Star Trek rerun sessions with the bong & best friend in college! ;-) That said (I know, I'm boring the piss outa you...deal with it!) I was surprised at how good it actually sounded in 2 ch. audio vs the home theater digital we're all used to hearing! Mainly because my expectation was to hear 'snap-crackle-pop' with the music but because the vinyl was cared for and clean after put away for storage 4 decades ago I thought/felt it was a meaningful 'neato' late-night experience (damn! and I haven't had a bong around in years! LOL!) and that's what ultimately has led me to - your channel!
@@noblerecords would you please do a video on Discogs hints and tips and how to search for specific presses and how to set notifications up etc. I know it’s out there but we like listening to you! Keep up the good work my friend. 👍🏼
@@ricochet243 it’s not that hard. Just look up the band and artist and album name and click on the “all versions” button and literally every pressing shows up.
When I finally cataloged my 45s I came across one Buddy Holly that's a 'Gloversville' pressing. Gloversville? Research turned up that it was pressed in a plant about an hour from my house in a plant that was operative until around '06 that I didn't know existed. Since then I've driven to see the building. Offices now, but vibes, for sure. I found Let it Be at a yard sale, $5. Sounded shite. Turned out a counterfeit. Found the Cure's Three Imaginary Boys in Vermont. Bought it for $50. Turned out to be the $150 pressing. Never selling it, but nice to know. All on Discogs. Vinyl i.d. is fun stuff.
Great video Dylan, cheers. I'm a bit obsessed with the Sex Pistols pressing at the minute, mainly NMTB. It's surprising how much focus, and value comes from those with mis-spelled labels, and mis-credited tracks, where actually the really rare copies are those with the correct labels. NMTB is a minefield in itself! :-o
That Nick Drake record! I want it! I've been so frustrated looking for Nick Drake. I want these albums to listen to. It seems so many want them for collector value that the prices are crazy high.
Thank you i have over a 1000 vinyls im going through of my late fathers everything from jazz classical rock etc etc and my mind is boggled tbh beatles albums and im using the like tp 230 numbers for example to define i will now look at what u have said and see if its easier for me so thank you x
A lot of information I did not know so glad you posted this. Thanks for posting as much as you do, I’m learning a lot and getting a lot of good insights.
One thing I’ve heard is that best sounding original pressing is most likely to be in the country where the recording was made. That’s because the copy of the master tape for other countries is most likely to be at least one more generation later than the pressings in the home country.
Thanks for this video. The deadwax stuff gets complicated. If I can find A1 and A2 or A1 and B1, I figure it's probably a first press, but there are quite a few that certainly seem to be first pressings that have numbers more like T1 or M1. I use Popsike, Discogs, and Gripsweat, but the first and last of these often seem to show a limited selection of transactions, favoring the higher dollar amounts, especially Gripsweat. I rely mainly on Discogs, but I am surprised at how often I have something that is not listed there at all, or they have a column of pressings/issues, but nothing matches mine completely - all the numbers may match, but the image of the label does not, and no other listing matches everything.
I have The Moody Blues "A Question of Balance" Test Pressing with XZAL 100 : 02 in the Deadwax. The label is white with Moody Blues A Question of Balance written in blue ballpoint pen.
I know you did this video a while back now, but it's helped me alot today. I've literally just started getting into records since my work place said we could start listing them on our ebay and the info they provided started a new interest for me (i'm Autistic, it happens 😂) My main interests are Vintage Disney and movie soundtracks - but man, i've found it hard to distinguish which versions are which. This video helped so much and from now on i'll take my time and research the matrix number in the dead wax (which still, is hard when alot of ebay sellers dont provide it in their listings 😂😂😂)
I found secret messages on some of my dad's records this week 😎 it's cool to see them. He passed away unexpectedly 16 months ago. He liked the Damned. The Sisters of Mercy, The Cult etc.
Very Interesting! Thank you. Great tips. Fascinating! I see a lot of YT videos going out from you on this. I love your examples. Love the details. Can you show some more examples on the UK pressings and different countries? And the some of the interesting variations of one album? Can you do some more on different factories? Things like that. Can you do some more on how to spot bootlegs and counterfeits?
i found a white label /promo of Rotary Connections debut;in a paper sleeve (eg printed but not backed on card or laminated) it looked brand new;but on checking the number on the run out it was a first uk press! 2 pounds well spent
Last year I stumbled upon a Rolling Stones with green vinyl. Early album - greatest hits I believe. Not at home now to look at it. I think was like $ 15. Guessing it's a mid seventies release. Also found a - 1st issue - unopened - Dark Side of the Moon - $ 250 - bar code on the back cover - I put it back on the shelf !!! Same record shop.
Dillion, we also have the same issues in the digital world. You have the first generation of CD'S that came out that are AAD. Then there is the Remastered Version, the Vinyl Rip version, the Japanese release, the release with the bonus tracks, then my favorite the SACD version. It just goes on and on, whoever said building your own library was easy has no idea.
just came across sgt peppers the lonely heart club original and first print it was stashed in the cellar at grannys. and yes i did a fair amount of reading before i ended up here. nice like 3gs thanks for info as well
I remember having an Elvis Moody Blue album in the early 80's that was pressed in translucent blue. I thought it was cool, but now everyone is doing it.
Very informative , I just picked that first Dylan album , is sealed , son no way I can tell if it is a first pressing , since I can’t see the label of the writings at the end of the grooves
you might be able to tell without opening it if it is a true cardboard cover and not a white posterboard cover. check the edge where the record comes out, if it's a true 60's Dylan it is carboard, (Pre 69)
The Bob Dylan self-titled debut album with the original “6-Eye” label is considerably collectable which was during the label’s transition to “2-Eye” label. The last Columbia albums to have the “6-Eye” were “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” by Tony Bennett and “‘Moon River’ and Other Great Movie Themes” by Andy Williams also had “6-Eye”. Columbia had the classic “6-Eye” label which dates back to about 1955 during the Mitch Miller era.
I still own the very first album I ever bought (with mom's money, of course, since I was jobless and broke at the time... being 8 years old and all). The disc itself is in prime condition, with only two scratches at the end of side one that are so minor you would never know they were there unless I pointed them out as they do not affect the quality of sound. The clear red vinyl has just the slightest opaqueness, but again it is nominal and unless you saw the original clarity you wouldn't notice. It's a 'Showpiece' of my record collection, which, after 62 years (including the first ten years before I became a serious collector) now numbers well over 10,000 albums. It is not only the oldest album I own as the original purchaser, it is also significant as it is the debut album by a seminal group that shaped my love for eclectic music, and non-traditional vocal stylings, and off-beat, unusual voices (Jim 'Dandy of Black Oak Arkansas, Bob Dylan, etc). It embedded in me a certain sensibility for the rhythmic hook and for a simplistic approach to music. Arranged, conducted, written, published, and composed by Rostom Sipan "Ross" Bagdasarian, It not only reached number 4 on the album charts, it also won a Grammy in 1960. While there was some internal conflict with members of the band, who accused each other of hiding assets from each other and hoarding, professionalism overruled their chattering arguments and confrontations with each other, and Bagdasarian. There were rumors of drug use, specifically amphetamines, but there is on;y circumstantial evidence of this being true. But in the end, they created a sonic Masterpiece with 'Let's All Sing with the Chipmunks' by the Chipmunks with Bagdasarian (using the stage name Dave Seville), which I would argue may actually be the first intra-species collaboration and a seminal Prog album (listen to 'Old MacDonald's Ch-Cha'). Absolute brilliance!
i love how people go on and on and on and on about something that nobody cares about but the person writing it.. your thinking people want to or care to know every detail of your record collection.. you need to find some friends
I have a copy of Wish You Were Here Pink Floyd that I bought on release. It has side one label on both sides of the album. I have Physical Graffiti Led Zeppelin album with nothing on side 4, again bought on release. I thought they may be worth a bit more than normal, but I read recently that they're not! 🙄
Another way to find out what you have is by clues ON the label, for instance, I have I think a 1960 pressing (or a very, very late '59 pressing of A Kind of Blue by Miles Davis. Reading up on the LP, the earliest pressings had the label for side 2 with the tracks reversed, it was corrected in Nov of '59 and I know it can't be from beyond 1960 due to it not having the CBS nomenclature. CBS bought Columbia in 1961/62 and the little white CBS nomenclature began to appear on the 6-eye labels just below the Columbia name for mono pressings, the double arrow for stereo pressings at the 12:00 position (at the top of the label). This was only seen for 1961-1962 only on the 6-eye labels. By 1963, Columbia brought out the 2-eye labels so I knew it had to be a very late 59, or 60 issue. My copy had the corrected side 2 label, the cover still sported Cannonball's last name still misspelled as I think it was never fixed so I was able to narrow it down by those clues. It's also a mono pressing. Agree the label will be a clue to watch out for. If you buy early Steely Dan, they tend to be on the black ABC Records label, such as Can't Buy a Thrill, but if it sports the gradient purple/yellow label, and even there, there are variations on it before MCA bought them out and went with the cloud rainbow label used on Goucho. It came out in 1980 and I think only those pressings didn't come with a barcode as I think in 1981, or was it '82, the barcode began to appear on all LP's and mine does not so likely an original. Now if you have the gradient label ABC, and it has the black note at the top with ABC, it's from 1978 only if I recall right. I tried to get into CVinyl.com, but Firefox won't let me due to being unsecured. So I can't verify off the bat. My pressing of Can't buy a Thrill is a later pressing due to being on the purple/yellow gradient label, not the black ABC, which I think was in use up through 1974 so likely mine is a 1975-77 issue instead. But agree, the matrix numbers is likely the definitive way to find out, but agree, Discogs, Popsyke and CVinyl can all give you clues.
several vinyl lovers are talking about this record company Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab - MFSL. they are known for pressing vinyl records from original master recordings
I have seen a number of your videos and on the whole, they are quite useful. However, it might be worth mentioning in the intro to your videos that you are referring specifically to US releases. Not everyone might be aware of that. It is also worth remembering the SAME release can have many different variants - these can be determined by closely reading the matrix number and comparing to those already listed on discogs. The SAME pressing of an LP can have many different variants. Also, I have found over the last two years or so that I have many records that are not on discogs, They are NOW as I have had to add them!
sweet job !! nice information and knowledge sharing! Nice turn on for many folks who do need it! .......and it was free!! I think a SLANG term video would help out also! LOL, you mention the 1st Press with Bar Code from sellers with a smile......that would burn me up!
It's funny imagining some guy handwriting those little numbers on the dead wax part. You see that on some limited release rave music dubplates but limited could mean like 5,000 records lol
![Eminem - Temporary (feat. Skylar Grey) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZaK9Wi5ho0o/mqdefault.jpg)
Man that Japanese la woman with the obi strip is a holy grail! I found the doors a few years after my grandpa passing and found out it was his favorite band too, and every time I spin a the doors record it feels like he's here with me
Where did you see that Japanese la woman with the obi strip LP ??
@@tonymontana897 9:02
The Doors only sound good on vinyl 🎉😎
I HAVE A PROBLEM! Ive collected vinyl for like 2 weeks and i have already put 300€ into records. Is there an AA group for this...
You’re pretty much screwed. Welcome to the sickness!
@@noblerecords Oh no... 😂
it never ends
@@richardfinlayson1524 I need an "Audiophiles anynomous" group or im gonna be bankrupt...
It is...too late for you, my friend.
The Wax will show you the true nature of the Force. It is your master now.
One thing to look out for is when the inner paper sleeve has advertisements for other records. If you've picked an album that was released in, for example, 1972 and the inner sleeve is advertising records that were released in 1980, its unlikely to be an original. Seems obvious but was something that I fell for a number of times when I first started collecting. All part of the learning experience though. Great video, keep up the good work!
Only problem with that is vintage owners. Sometimes they ruined the original inner sleeves and just grabbed a replacement. So you could have a 1972 original with a 1980 inner sleeve because the previous owner was careless with their original paper sleeve.
@@Theomite That is very true, and a way to tell is by looking at all of the other hallmarks, including the label because they do change from when initially pressed so best to know one, what the original label was to help you determine and it DOES take some sleuthing to find that out.
Some 80s pressings are as good or better.
"seems obvious but"
Literally no "but". If you're seeing a 1972 release and you see ads for releases for 1980, you don't dismiss that as "oh, people in the 1970s were psychics, it's just a silly quirk of the 70s".
If I saw an original pressing of Frank Sinatra and saw ads for Taylor Swift, I'd know for sure it wasn't an original lol. Come on bro.
The major reason I subbed your channel was the fact that you did videos like this to educate the newbies. Thanks bud
So helpful! I’ve been collecting for 12 years and still don’t always get it right. This is one of your more important videos, Dillon. Thank you!!! ❤️🎶❤️
I just started at 43 years old. Discogs is a great resource however it also prevents you from ever finding a good deal on ebay or record stores bc everyone thinks their records are worth the max. My first buy was Abby Road from 1969. Cant believe how nice it looks. I think garage sales or estate sales might be the only real way to get a deal. Any record can be bought on discogs its just the prices are super high.
A couple of points;
1. Various people have different ideas of what a first pressing is. Are you looking for the first stamper from the first mother from the first lacquer? Or does it just have to be in the year and the country of release?
2. There are many clues that allow experienced collectors to say when a record was pressed. In Decca/London, the ink color changed gradually during the 70s - the silver got duller, and the maroon became more and more washed-out.
It is true that many sellers don't know much. An eBay seller once sold me the Speakers Corner reissue of the Zubin Mehta performance of Holst's Planets, thinking it was a Decca original. They don't put any identifiers on the reissues, and it was an exact replica. Even the deadwax was a replica, because Speakers Corner had hired Tony Hawkins, the original Decca mastering engineer, to master the lacquer, so stamped in his Decca engineer code of 'K'.
I've been able to find some records that I probably wouldn't have at all cared for if it wasn't for discogs. Recently picked up a copy of Strange Days by The Doors for $20, it was a bit more than I wanted to pay but it was in great shape and I was getting records for quite cheap that whole day so I went for it. Next day I was putting all of my finds that day into discogs and I got to Strange Days. I'd put in what I was able to make out from the matrix, and there was about 5-6 results. I went through all of the first ones and none of them matched, I got to the last one and it finally matched up. I ended up getting a near mint first pressing worth around $100 for $20.
Thank you very much. Getting back into records 40 years after I first jumped in. This is such a great help to me determining the provenance of a record.
Very interesting video
It can be a complicated process sometimes determining what pressing is what but is very rewarding.
I remember when I bought an Australian copy of "Beatles No.1" and "Twist and Shout" I found out these particular copies weren't actually on Discogs, I actually had to add them onto Discogs which shows that not every pressing of a record has been catalogued, even for very popular bands, let alone more obscure records.
One of the earliest albums with a barcode is Duty Now For The Future by DEVO from 1979, to the point where they put the barcode in the album artwork itself
Wow, thanks for the info. Literally new to collecting records. Only Got 4 records for the first time ever and I was able to use your information and knowledge to figure out 3 of them are original pressings and one is a reissue. Glad I stumbled across your video cause now I know what to look for when I go to check out records.
Thanks for watching 🤘
This my first video watching of you and I subscribed. Would my guess be wrong to say your from NC? Live there for several years and when I listen to you it sounds like your from NC. And the hurricane story about being at the beach sounds like NC too lol. I’m from Hawaii. Anyway take care
I've been wanting to know this information for so long. When other RUclipsrs talk about vinyl records I think they assume we know what all this means first second pressing and where to find it. Thank you Dylan
No problem! Thanks for watching!
I’m going to need to watch this again. This is something I definitely struggle with. I have used discogs to look up albums, but often, especially with older records, I can never find an exact match. 🤷🏻♀️. I do appreciate the tutorial and will keep trying.
Same problem for me....
Thank you so much for your videos! I just bought my first record player this week and have been in search of my favorite albums. Found an original Canadian pressing of Dreamboat Annie from Heart in my local record store and used what I learned from your video (and Discogs) to ensure it was what I was looking for. Super helpful for this newbie to the vinyl world!
They used color vinyl to categorize earlier records (usually 45s when I see it) into genre. One color (translucent, btw, not solid like most modern color vinyl) meant it was a country/western song, another meant it was a “race record” (literally what they called it… usually blues, jazz genres and related). A few videos around here that go into the specifics.
Interesting info! I'm 62 and never heard of that practice, but then I kinda missed the 45 RPM format collecting/buying & 9,999 out of 10,000 LPs one sees or has seen since the 1960s are black(!)
Been collecting since 1954 and never knew how important the #'s in the dead wax were. Thanks !!
Thanks for watching ✌️
It can also be a discussion about which version is best or sounds best
I just recently found your channel and am learning so much. I am caught up on the current ones and am in the process of going back and watching the older ones. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with a newbie.
Super helpful! Wish I knew these tricks before I started buying. One more I've found useful: sometimes there are Club editions which have a specific code on the jacket somewhere like CRC
Thanks for the video. Yes, Discogs is my main go-to-site, absolutely. Sometimes, you can get a Frankensteined record, where cover and label or matrix don‘t really match. I then file it under the right matrix number, even though the cover might vary. Just had this issue with a twofer with Procol Harum‘s Shine On Brightly, where everything is a UK 1972 reissue on Cube, but the record is the German 1968 Polydor pressing.
Exploring the Dead Wax in your vinyl can be fun you would be surprised to see what might be there. Thanks great video.
This brings up a couple different pressings I have of Turn of the Cards by Renaissance. One is an early pressing from when Sire was owned by Gulf + Western. My other one is from when Sire was owned by ABC. There are also Sire/Warner pressings of it as well. Looking for ABC on the label is key to knowing if you have a first press of the Ramones debut. Ownership of whatever the company was owned by is a good way to figure it out.
I just love your posts / videos dude. I have been collecting vinyl for over 30 years and I am still learning stuff. I did not know about the history of barcodes. I must have been hiding under a rock all of these years.
Thanks so much!
I have an ebay store selling music. I sell primarily CDs and cassettes. I have picked up some vinyl over the last few years but have been very apprehensive to sell because I just don't trust my grading judgment yet. Your videos are helping me so much.
Great video
Also I love that forever changes is the only full cover visible
I have an original and the anniversary pressings.
Yeah the barcode is important and thank you for reminding me because sometimes I think that we overlooked that aspect of it
So glade I found your channel today...you gave me the the resourses to find an album and a piece of music I have been searching for for about 20 some odd years...Thank Uou!
Listen up young bucks (and record lovin’ ladies), because this guy drops pearls of wisdom! The internet makes us all experts, but seriously this guy knows what he’s talking about. See lots of vids from others who don’t, but I’ve been around records off and on since about 5 years old, and I’ve learned a lotta new tricks from him. Thanks for the knowledge brother and keep ‘em coming!
Obi (sash) An obi (帯) is a belt of varying size and shape worn with both traditional Japanese clothing and uniforms for Japanese martial arts styles. Originating as a simple thin belt in Heian period Japan, the obi developed over time into a belt with several different varieties, with many different sizes and proportions, lengths, and methods of tying. it is not Oh Bee Eye, just trying to do my part to help.
Super Helpful. My Late Hubs was an ON air DJ and I am finally tackling his library to catalog and sell so this gives me a realistic idea of what I have (45, 33, 78, CDs. Cassettes, plus his component system and speakers. YIKES But time to reclaim the extra bedroom.
Wow, your knowledge is vast and your best asset is your incredible articulation with no dead air or confusion. Been a collector for 57 years, and will tell you that the greatest album is not "Kind of Blue, Pepper, or Pet Sounds, or the album behind you, "Love Forever Changes!". It is a "greatest hits" album propelled by the greatest bassist that ever lived
I’m not a record collector but I am a bassist. Curious of which album you’re referring to?
I think I figured it out by reading another comment by you. It’s James Jamerson - record is “The Temptations Greatest Hits” - thank you for that. Jamerson was/is the best!!
Great video! It is very hard to find a 1st pressing of Otis Blue or any Otis Redding for that matter. I actually prefer the reissues on certain Jazz and rock records. I think the sound quality is much better but I also love nostalgia behind owning the first pressings too.
Thank you for informing the listing of a vinyl inwhich the sellers wants fit the vinyl album!
Never knew about Popsike until this video, so thanks for that my man. No idea why I never heard of it before as I've used Discogs for years.
Thanks for watching!
Great advice, wish I had seen this when it came out. Glad you mentioned the pink vinyl Floyd Animals album because I have that one. I've done the buy it before you look just two weeks ago, I found a used record store I hadn't been to and I was so exited when I saw a Link Wray from 1990. I just grabbed it. I got lucky. Thanks. 100 thumbs up.
Hey Dillon, longtime viewer, lover of oldschool rock n roll like you. You've inspired me to become part of the vinyl community. Bought my first suitcase turntable and a few records today. Excited to be a part of the community!!! Hope to checkout Noble Records someday. Let me know if you can ship to Wisconsin.
Thanks man! Check out the link in our profile to our website, we do ship!
you're doing god's work, my friend. now let's hope every amateur seller on discogs checks out your vids.
ive been watching this channel so much over the past 2 or 3 days and can't stop lmao.
awesome content!
This is excellent advice that I have been using for years. Also use your cellphone to check the sources that he list while in the store. While doing your research some record stores will place a record that you are interested in on hold, some won’t. I have been to some record stores and he is right the owner or worker didn’t know what they had, but some record store owners are incredibly knowledgeable.
Went to a store where the owner actually had the privilege of recording some great folk artists and saw many of them live. Needless to say he was extremely knowledgeable, made the experience 10 times better
Collecting for over 20 years and this is great info which I was not fully aware of!
Glad I could help!
Thank you for your time making this video. I learned a lot.
"I'm not touching the grooves. Please don't come at me" ~ Spit my coffee out, thanks LOL.
Hahaha
It's been tough identifying alot my haul as they are sealed. It's just one rabbit hole after another of research.
Thank you for the information you provided! It's going to be really helpful to me, when I'm shopping for vinyl records! Take care! Keep spinning the vinyl!
Yeah man, I got excited about a Parliament Osmium the other day. Everything about it looked old school. The sticker from the shop said UK pressing and I quickly looked at the back and confirmed. Slid the record out real quick and verified the condition was good. So of course, I bought it. Then later when I was examining further to figure out exactly which pressing so I could add it to my Discogs... There it was. A damn website address right on the label 😂. Turns out it was a release from 2016, lol. Good thing is, it's still worth about what I paid for it. But I definitely learned a valuable lesson.
We have all been there 🤣
Yeah I practically burn every inch of the jacket with my eyes looking for websites because I know that no label is gonna skimp on a website address if it existed so I do that too. If it was Parliament, I'd look up the matrix # right then and there.
In norway there is a site called norsike that is dedicated just to norwegian records. I can imagine there might be similar sites in other countries as well? Sometimes I can find things there that are not on discogs or popsike.
OMG, you're the first person I've heard mention the secret messages in the dead wax!
Love to read the little messages on the inner dead wax things that say, "ode to a duck" or a "duck is as good as a nudge, Steely Dan albums, Outlaw albums were notorious for these tidbits, I'm 70+, 45's and albums that I bought in 60's and 70's are still in my cabinet, have a 45 I bought that has John Forgety singing and playing on it before CCR thanks for the infro.
I love the 6 eye Columbia logo, that is my favorite Columbia logo
Thanks for sharing your knowledge here. Some great tips for me to keep in mind.
I'm 62 and a retired public school music teacher who believes in a tenet we purposed to the kids: life-long learning. And tonight I learned that the empty groove devoid zone at the end of a record is called 'Dead Wax' That's a cool term!
I have a few comments to make about my experiences with records but for tonight it will suffice to say that I had mothballed my turntable & related gear since around 1989 when I bought my 1st CD. About a month ago while prepping my house for moving, etc. I got it out & found some records I could get to, esp. one from the early 80s me & some buddies in a working band really liked, played it and I had an emotional/aesthetic/bittersweet/nostalgic experience that I just haven't had in a long while...in regards to music! Wow, remember prepping/cleaning a record & cueing it up!? Semi-ritualistic (kinda like the late afternoon Star Trek rerun sessions with the bong & best friend in college! ;-)
That said (I know, I'm boring the piss outa you...deal with it!) I was surprised at how good it actually sounded in 2 ch. audio vs the home theater digital we're all used to hearing! Mainly because my expectation was to hear 'snap-crackle-pop' with the music but because the vinyl was cared for and clean after put away for storage 4 decades ago I thought/felt it was a meaningful 'neato' late-night experience (damn! and I haven't had a bong around in years! LOL!) and that's what ultimately has led me to - your channel!
Been thinking about this a lot, like how does he know what pressing it is lol Discogs confuses me sometimes
Haha it’s a good resource, if you can know what to look for.
Video was really helpful, currently looking at my stone roses record Tryna find out info about the pressing now
Awesome, thanks for watching!
@@noblerecords would you please do a video on Discogs hints and tips and how to search for specific presses and how to set notifications up etc. I know it’s out there but we like listening to you!
Keep up the good work my friend. 👍🏼
@@ricochet243 it’s not that hard. Just look up the band and artist and album name and click on the “all versions” button and literally every pressing shows up.
Some really great tips here. It can be quite a minefield record collecting and looking for original pressing etc...
Yep 🤣 thanks for watching!
This was really helpful thanks for posting. I just started watching your videos this evening and was going to ask you this very thing.
When I finally cataloged my 45s I came across one Buddy Holly that's a 'Gloversville' pressing. Gloversville? Research turned up that it was pressed in a plant about an hour from my house in a plant that was operative until around '06 that I didn't know existed. Since then I've driven to see the building. Offices now, but vibes, for sure.
I found Let it Be at a yard sale, $5. Sounded shite. Turned out a counterfeit.
Found the Cure's Three Imaginary Boys in Vermont. Bought it for $50. Turned out to be the $150 pressing. Never selling it, but nice to know.
All on Discogs. Vinyl i.d. is fun stuff.
Great video Dylan, cheers. I'm a bit obsessed with the Sex Pistols pressing at the minute, mainly NMTB. It's surprising how much focus, and value comes from those with mis-spelled labels, and mis-credited tracks, where actually the really rare copies are those with the correct labels. NMTB is a minefield in itself! :-o
Very interesting & informative, Thanks from Canada
The incomparable genius, the legendary, James Jamerson, and that record is: "The Temptations Greatest Hits!
That Nick Drake record! I want it! I've been so frustrated looking for Nick Drake. I want these albums to listen to. It seems so many want them for collector value that the prices are crazy high.
Thank you i have over a 1000 vinyls im going through of my late fathers everything from jazz classical rock etc etc and my mind is boggled tbh beatles albums and im using the like tp 230 numbers for example to define i will now look at what u have said and see if its easier for me so thank you x
A lot of information I did not know so glad you posted this. Thanks for posting as much as you do, I’m learning a lot and getting a lot of good insights.
Thanks for the kind words!
One thing I’ve heard is that best sounding original pressing is most likely to be in the country where the recording was made. That’s because the copy of the master tape for other countries is most likely to be at least one more generation later than the pressings in the home country.
Thanks for this video. The deadwax stuff gets complicated. If I can find A1 and A2 or A1 and B1, I figure it's probably a first press, but there are quite a few that certainly seem to be first pressings that have numbers more like T1 or M1. I use Popsike, Discogs, and Gripsweat, but the first and last of these often seem to show a limited selection of transactions, favoring the higher dollar amounts, especially Gripsweat. I rely mainly on Discogs, but I am surprised at how often I have something that is not listed there at all, or they have a column of pressings/issues, but nothing matches mine completely - all the numbers may match, but the image of the label does not, and no other listing matches everything.
Yeah it’s not perfect by any means, but helps in most cases.
I have The Moody Blues "A Question of Balance" Test Pressing with XZAL 100 : 02 in the Deadwax. The label is white with Moody Blues A Question of Balance written in blue ballpoint pen.
I know you did this video a while back now, but it's helped me alot today.
I've literally just started getting into records since my work place said we could start listing them on our ebay and the info they provided started a new interest for me (i'm Autistic, it happens 😂)
My main interests are Vintage Disney and movie soundtracks - but man, i've found it hard to distinguish which versions are which.
This video helped so much and from now on i'll take my time and research the matrix number in the dead wax (which still, is hard when alot of ebay sellers dont provide it in their listings 😂😂😂)
I also have the album
of The Chambers Brothers
A New Time A New Day
which has the "360" stereo
with two eyes.
I found secret messages on some of my dad's records this week 😎 it's cool to see them. He passed away unexpectedly 16 months ago. He liked the Damned. The Sisters of Mercy, The Cult etc.
The OBI strip alone is enough to buy it, but Japanese pressings are so dang good.
Very Interesting! Thank you. Great tips. Fascinating! I see a lot of YT videos going out from you on this. I love your examples. Love the details.
Can you show some more examples on the UK pressings and different countries? And the some of the interesting variations of one album?
Can you do some more on different factories? Things like that. Can you do some more on how to spot bootlegs and counterfeits?
This is crazy I was just searching for a better explanation on this. Dope!
Thanks for watching
Thank you for this video. Very informative and superb information. Very helpful.
i found a white label /promo of Rotary Connections debut;in a paper sleeve (eg printed but not backed on card or laminated) it looked brand new;but on checking the number on the run out it was a first uk press! 2 pounds well spent
Last year I stumbled upon a Rolling Stones with green vinyl. Early album - greatest hits I believe. Not at home now to look at it. I think was like $ 15. Guessing it's a mid seventies release.
Also found a - 1st issue - unopened - Dark Side of the Moon - $ 250 - bar code on the back cover - I put it back on the shelf !!!
Same record shop.
This is great information! Thank you for sharing your knowledge! Lisa in Connecticut
Thanks for posting
Great information! I have a lot of older records and need to find out what pressings they are.
Don’t forget UK and German also sometimes have that slick laminate covers!
Usually ALWAYS do. Especially UK pressings
Some good tips here !.. good vid, man !
Excellent video. Many thanks for this. Learnt a lot added to my knowledge. Brilliant
Hi, Noob here. Question: US LP print worth more then German LP print?
Dillion, we also have the same issues in the digital world. You have the first generation of CD'S that came out that are AAD. Then there is the Remastered Version, the Vinyl Rip version, the Japanese release, the release with the bonus tracks, then my favorite the SACD version. It just goes on and on, whoever said building your own library was easy has no idea.
just came across sgt peppers the lonely heart club original and first print it was stashed in the cellar at grannys. and yes i did a fair amount of reading before i ended up here. nice like 3gs thanks for info as well
A wealth of knowledge dude this is awesome
Thank you 🙏
I remember having an Elvis Moody Blue album in the early 80's that was pressed in translucent blue. I thought it was cool, but now everyone is doing it.
Very informative , I just picked that first Dylan album , is sealed , son no way I can tell if it is a first pressing , since I can’t see the label of the writings at the end of the grooves
you might be able to tell without opening it if it is a true cardboard cover and not a white posterboard cover. check the edge where the record comes out, if it's a true 60's Dylan it is carboard, (Pre 69)
Great thank you
@Dalton Brendan no, nobody gives a sh*t
@Dalton Brendan ''
Scammers. Get a virus too.
The Bob Dylan self-titled debut album with the original “6-Eye” label is considerably collectable which was during the label’s transition to “2-Eye” label. The last Columbia albums to have the “6-Eye” were “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” by Tony Bennett and “‘Moon River’ and Other Great Movie Themes” by Andy Williams also had “6-Eye”.
Columbia had the classic “6-Eye” label which dates back to about 1955 during the Mitch Miller era.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
My 2008 AC/DC Black Ice LP has a Columbia 6 eye label.
Well yeah there are some reproduction labels, they are usually obvious.
I still own the very first album I ever bought (with mom's money, of course, since I was jobless and broke at the time... being 8 years old and all). The disc itself is in prime condition, with only two scratches at the end of side one that are so minor you would never know they were there unless I pointed them out as they do not affect the quality of sound. The clear red vinyl has just the slightest opaqueness, but again it is nominal and unless you saw the original clarity you wouldn't notice.
It's a 'Showpiece' of my record collection, which, after 62 years (including the first ten years before I became a serious collector) now numbers well over 10,000 albums. It is not only the oldest album I own as the original purchaser, it is also significant as it is the debut album by a seminal group that shaped my love for eclectic music, and non-traditional vocal stylings, and off-beat, unusual voices (Jim 'Dandy of Black Oak Arkansas, Bob Dylan, etc). It embedded in me a certain sensibility for the rhythmic hook and for a simplistic approach to music.
Arranged, conducted, written, published, and composed by Rostom Sipan "Ross" Bagdasarian, It not only reached number 4 on the album charts, it also won a Grammy in 1960. While there was some internal conflict with members of the band, who accused each other of hiding assets from each other and hoarding, professionalism overruled their chattering arguments and confrontations with each other, and Bagdasarian. There were rumors of drug use, specifically amphetamines, but there is on;y circumstantial evidence of this being true. But in the end, they created a sonic Masterpiece with 'Let's All Sing with the Chipmunks' by the Chipmunks with Bagdasarian (using the stage name Dave Seville), which I would argue may actually be the first intra-species collaboration and a seminal Prog album (listen to 'Old MacDonald's Ch-Cha'). Absolute brilliance!
i love how people go on and on and on and on about something that nobody cares about but the person writing it.. your thinking people want to or care to know every detail of your record collection.. you need to find some friends
I had a 1976 Antilles pressing of Nick's first album. I wish I hadn't sold it -- it was special!
I have a copy of Wish You Were Here Pink Floyd that I bought on release. It has side one label on both sides of the album. I have Physical Graffiti Led Zeppelin album with nothing on side 4, again bought on release. I thought they may be worth a bit more than normal, but I read recently that they're not! 🙄
Yeah, just pressing flaws, but cool albums anyways!
Another way to find out what you have is by clues ON the label, for instance, I have I think a 1960 pressing (or a very, very late '59 pressing of A Kind of Blue by Miles Davis. Reading up on the LP, the earliest pressings had the label for side 2 with the tracks reversed, it was corrected in Nov of '59 and I know it can't be from beyond 1960 due to it not having the CBS nomenclature. CBS bought Columbia in 1961/62 and the little white CBS nomenclature began to appear on the 6-eye labels just below the Columbia name for mono pressings, the double arrow for stereo pressings at the 12:00 position (at the top of the label). This was only seen for 1961-1962 only on the 6-eye labels. By 1963, Columbia brought out the 2-eye labels so I knew it had to be a very late 59, or 60 issue. My copy had the corrected side 2 label, the cover still sported Cannonball's last name still misspelled as I think it was never fixed so I was able to narrow it down by those clues. It's also a mono pressing.
Agree the label will be a clue to watch out for. If you buy early Steely Dan, they tend to be on the black ABC Records label, such as Can't Buy a Thrill, but if it sports the gradient purple/yellow label, and even there, there are variations on it before MCA bought them out and went with the cloud rainbow label used on Goucho. It came out in 1980 and I think only those pressings didn't come with a barcode as I think in 1981, or was it '82, the barcode began to appear on all LP's and mine does not so likely an original. Now if you have the gradient label ABC, and it has the black note at the top with ABC, it's from 1978 only if I recall right. I tried to get into CVinyl.com, but Firefox won't let me due to being unsecured. So I can't verify off the bat. My pressing of Can't buy a Thrill is a later pressing due to being on the purple/yellow gradient label, not the black ABC, which I think was in use up through 1974 so likely mine is a 1975-77 issue instead.
But agree, the matrix numbers is likely the definitive way to find out, but agree, Discogs, Popsyke and CVinyl can all give you clues.
several vinyl lovers are talking about this record company Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab - MFSL. they are known for pressing vinyl records from original master recordings
From what I remember, the first LP to have a barcode was Elvis Costello's _Armed Forces_ in 1978.
I have heard that but armed forces came out in 1979
@@noblerecords Yeah, it's like every time you think you've figured it out, there's one potential glitch in the conclusion. It's irritating.
Fantastic information! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us newbies.
Thanks for watching!
I have seen a number of your videos and on the whole, they are quite useful. However, it might be worth mentioning in the intro to your videos that you are referring specifically to US releases. Not everyone might be aware of that. It is also worth remembering the SAME release can have many different variants - these can be determined by closely reading the matrix number and comparing to those already listed on discogs. The SAME pressing of an LP can have many different variants.
Also, I have found over the last two years or so that I have many records that are not on discogs, They are NOW as I have had to add them!
This has been really helpful!! I’ll check out your shop!!
I have a 1962 recording of
Bill Doggett entitled
Oops. Columbia label variants
red label with black featured
six eyes.
sweet job !! nice information and knowledge sharing! Nice turn on for many folks who do need it! .......and it was free!! I think a SLANG term video would help out also!
LOL, you mention the 1st Press with Bar Code from sellers with a smile......that would burn me up!
Super informative! Actually building a collection after years of getting records for gifts, so this is good to know; subbed. :-)
Thanks so much
It's funny imagining some guy handwriting those little numbers on the dead wax part. You see that on some limited release rave music dubplates but limited could mean like 5,000 records lol