Comments on: Back to Jazz Vinyl Reality

By: Woody

Woody — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 17:50:33 +0000

In 1979 as I was leaving Dallas my boss took me to see his favorite piano player at his local bar. I was into fusion, out, and free jazz at the time but I kept watching his incredible touch on the piano. He joined us after his set and was just your typical warm and gracious Texan. Years later my jazz palate was opening up to 50’s hard bop and Red Garland was on numerous OJC titles that were blowing my mind. Reading a blurb somewhere that he had “retired” to Dallas in the 70’s I called my ex-boss and asked, “was that Red Garland you introduced me to?” Sure enough, I had spent the evening in the presence of greatness and had no clue!! Needless to say I have quite a few Red Garland lps now, just wish I would’ve held his hand a little longer….

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 16:24:25 +0000

Well, not on Ebay anyway. At a car boot sale, for £1, yes.

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 16:23:49 +0000

Fair enough Bill – I suppose as a seller, there is a lot to be said for being “economical with the truth”. I don’t think I would dare sell anything in that condition; seems to be asking for trouble.

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 12:22:33 +0000

A Garland of Red is one of my favourite. It is also one of those records I love to display on my shelf. There is just something about that cover. Love it!

By: Rich DG Mono

Rich DG Mono — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 08:36:11 +0000

A Garland of Red is an awesome record start to finish.

By: JOK

JOK — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 22:18:57 +0000

Aaron, you are correct, I did mean the DL 102. Joaquim, the Ortofon looks like a nice cart. It also may be hard to find. Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll look to see where I can a good price on either one.

By: Andy Glover

Andy Glover — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 20:03:44 +0000

Hi JOK – I had the Denon 102 for a while and liked it a lot. It definitely makes beat up records sound better, both because it is true mono and because it rolls off in the frequency extremes. I have switched to an Ortofon Quintet Mono and hear a bit more noise and a lot more bass and “air”.

By: Gregory the Fish

Gregory the Fish — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 18:58:28 +0000

I still say G means crap, and and crappier crap is still crap, so it shouldn’t matter at that point, but Bill and Richard, you make good points.

By: Bill W.

Bill W. — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 13:22:00 +0000

Richard, you’re absolutely right from the buyers point of view. As a buyer, that incorrect grading serves as a warning that all his grading may be suspect. I was speaking from the viewpoint of the seller. He would have been better off not grading the jacket at all and just letting the photo tell the story. If he felt obligated to grade it, I guess poor (or P-) would be accurate.

By: Richard

Richard — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 10:38:27 +0000

@ Bill W – I think it’s quite important for the seller to give his grading on that cover. If he considers that cover “Good”, then I think it’s safe to assume his grading of the record is going to be similarly questionable.

If he’d described it as “bad” or “poor”, then I’d be more inclined to think his record grading may be closer to the truth.