Delette Wol on label

[Rootikalist]

Is there any special product to delette the write on the label?

[I-Lion Tafari]

Often thought about it. I don´t know a reliable method. I´m afraid to ruin the label. Once, I could remove felt marker with a cloth and some ethanol. Result was ok. Anoother time it slured the label. And there seems to be no chance to delete ballpen.
WOL is stupid and dump. I would never ever do that and it´s a contempt of the record and the music.

[leggo rocker]

Most of you know where I stand on WOL and WOC. I agree with I-lion, it's an abomination. I'm easier with it if the record is EX or Mint, but usually WOL goes with G- records.

Of the two, I can handle WOL far easier than WOC which to me is 100% inexcusable defacement of artwork. If you REALLY needed to write your name on the cover, why didn't you tuck it inside the opening edge? And if you feel the need to pick out the 'pick out' tracks, then do it on a separate sheet of paper!

I have experimented, using valueless records, with removal of marker pen. Usually, it's not possible, the ink so is well into the paper of the label that removing it will remove the print, and probably the paper label too. You might get lucky if the label has a hard, non-porous finish and the ink hasn't had a chance to seep into the paper. On stuff like the old rough paper labels, like early Trojans, there's no chance.

Generally, if you have WOC or WOL, you're gonna have to live with it. but it is easier to live with than trashed vinyl!

[Return of Jesco]

Speaking of trashed vinyl, what does "a few vinyl drops" mean in the comments on the "More Sugar Minott" Studio 1 album does anyone know?

[Rootikalist]

i make some research on google...but no way , delette ink is not possible.

It's sad! I have some very nice labels with some very horrible Wol on them...but well even if it's horrible it's a part of the story of the record so i accept it.Surely i'll never write on a label or a sleeve

[leggo rocker]

Speaking of trashed vinyl, what does "a few vinyl drops" mean in the comments on the "More Sugar Minott" Studio 1 album does anyone know?

What this means is that there are areas of the vinyl that haven't properly formed. Typically these appear as inverted bubbles. Little dimples or craters on the vinyl. They don't usually have too much effect on play, they'll often pass as soft bumps - especially if you have a good cartridge.

Other times the reference can be to particles trapped within the vinyl. These are usually far more intrusive. I have a early copy of Leggo Dub that looks like it has a bit of roach card pressed into it - And sounds like it too!

I'm led to believe that this occurred because vinyl was recycled during the 70s and early 80s. Often the vinyl was melted down (by vinyl we mean now priceless JA 45s) often witht he labels still attached, and then simply reused for the next pressing run.

Also, pressings need time to work right. The first 500 presses may not be perfect, as the optimum temperature has not been reached until this point. Sadly, most JA producers couldn't afford to throw 500 records away. These 500 often represented the ENTIRE pressing run!

Hence the notorious state of JA vinyl.

In the defence of JA vinyl, I'll say that much of it is excellent. And even that which isn't all that well pressed is at least very well mastered considering the conditions at the time. Modern CD masterings often don't come anywhere near this level, despite the money and technology now available. So really these guys did first class work and I'm not about to get too upset about a few 'drops'.

[Return of Jesco]

Thanks Leggo, informative as ever! I have to say my copy of More Sugar is a-ok as far as Studio 1 pressings go (if you ignore the horrible fuzz guitar overdubs on one track!) I do have a copy of Better Dub where the label has fragmented and splattered all over the legendary "Gready G" though...

[leggo rocker]

If you want to, it is easy to remove those label fragments. As long as they haven't somehow gotten pressed into the grooves, they 'll come off with hot soapy water. Mask off the other part of the label you want to retain though.

Most early Studio One pressings are actually fairly good. They suffer the usual drops etc but the sound quality is excellent. Later Studio One pressings, as we all know, just aren't generally as good. I have some original Studio One Dub LPs and for some of them I have the later repress. On the whole these represses are AWFUL. The sound is thin. The stampers were worn so you're not getting all the information that is supposed to be hidden in them grooves.

[Return of Jesco]

Thing is Leggo on this copy the label fragments really are pressed in, it's pretty weird to see (and listen to). I got it via mail order from Daddy Kool, bashed corners and all, thanks very much guys, but it was already a substitute for something else so I never got round to arguing the toss about it.

[leggo rocker]

Can't say I am so surprised to hear you got poorly packed stuf from DK. That's my exact experience and I have never ordered from there again. I simply won't buy off people who can't pack vinyl properly for the trip.

It's just cheapskate behaviour that shows the people up who don't care as much for the records as they do the money.