Roots Archives Forum

Why Are Original Presses So Valued?

Sorry to ask but i seem to own a lot of Represses

For me I can only answer in this way. Alot are better sound quality, second many are pressed on different labels with different mixes (ie.. Sylford Walker - Chant Down Babylon on Stars & Gumari 1)The Gumari 1 different dub mixes on the b-side. Also alot of represses or reissues are not the original mixes (ie.. Sylford Walker - Jah Golden Pen) the reissue has back up singers that are not present on the original issue, & Sylford sounds alot older!! (re-recorded?) So thats where I leave my opinion.

Thank you rasdragon

Much Appreicated, Respect Mi Lion

the latest ive heard is that
reggae fans in the UK want only
reggae on vinyl, and they are
willing to pay.

Hi Mikey Bim

Being a reggae fan living in the UK and having bought over 100 albums in the last 2 months of which only 3 were vinyl I am not sure if that is true.
Then again, maybe I am in the minority!

Hi Mikey Bim,

I have to agree to a large degree with 6anbatte. I have also bought about 150 titles this year and all have been on CD.

I personally prefer CD as it just happens to be a more convenient way for me to have and store the music.

However, there is a large amount of reggae fans, who are not necessarily in the UK, who only want to deal in original vinyl and are not even keen on re-presses.

I used to collect vinyl from about 1978 - 1992 and I have to agree that there is something much more special about vinyl both in sound quality and packaging.

It is something special in this age of digital technology to have the music in the original format in which it was intended to be heard.

There is no greater feeling than to be holding an original pressing of an album that you know is rare and is only going to get even more rare with time.

I can also understand why people, who can afford it, pay top dollar for these items. Unfortunately, many of thse items probably sit in collections purely as a financial investment never to get played.

Because of this reason much great music is only going to get lost in time because the fortunate few who hold these recordings are never going to share with the people who actually want the music for listening enjoyement.

I personnaly would rather have a £10.00 CD re-issue to own and enjoy in the same way as the vinyl junkies who play and pay £100.00 + bidding games for their original issues.

After all we all have our own thing.

Respect

Dave

Rootsman wrote:

"Unfortunately, many of thse items probably sit in collections purely as a financial investment never to get played."

Maybe true, but not in this house! I play all of them, all the time. And I would be really pleased to get the chance to play the music to others!

In a way, people like myself are liberating these records. I have bought several collections that were housed in sheds, lofts or garages, unplayed for decades. Now they are liberated and playing.

And I even break the seal on still sealed new old stock! In fact, I peel the sellophane off all my records as it tends to shrink and warp the vinyl - and that's a big problem with a lot of new old stock records.



To the original question:

Just like with stamps or books the price is dependent on the age, rarity and issue, with original, first pressings (or printings) being the most valuable - with rarity being the biggest factor influencing price of not only stamps but also records. Historical importance can play a part - like a first pressing of the first Beatles 7 inch is very expensive.

Some very expensive records aren't even that good artistically!

All my original press vinyl was bought back in the day, when the albums came out. I played them until I could tape them, then played the tapes instead, sparing the vinyl from wear. Everytime vinyl is played, it dies a little.

Then the tapes wore out, as did the recorder, so I went back to playing the vinyl, but only occasionally. That wasn't particularly satisfying.

Now I'm very close to finishing digitizing all my surviving reggae vinyl. I decided to make other vinyl a lower priority because my best stuff is the reggae.

Anyway, since I take my music player in the car, to work, and hook it up to the sound system at home this has worked out much better than tape. The digitized files don't wear out.

When I get new vinyl now, it gets played once as I digitize it. I do find that when I play the digitized tracks at home, I still pull out the album to check the art, liner notes, etc. No other recording format comes with two square feet of space for art!

Peace,

James

For those loaded with cash and who really want to play vintage and rare vinyl without fear of damage, there's the laser record deck:

Look at:

Item number: 170062519995

on ebay...

Nice looking gear, but the asking price is way too rich for my blood. That much money would sure buy a lot of records!

Peace,

James