Comments on: Some Jazz Records That are in the $3,000 Value Range; And Some That Aren’t Close

By: Joe L

Joe L — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 01:47:57 +0000

I have a few early Bethlehem and Decca pressings that I have always thought were styrene. Light, not flexible, make a “hollow” sound when tapped or put into the inner sleeve. Get marked up and dull very easily.

By: Russ E-S

Russ E-S — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 23:39:38 +0000

I have two copies of the transition sampler (and have given away a couple more) all sounded good – wish I’d have found a few others on the label… Played rarely due to fear of wearing out…. Love the one Dick Wetmore track.

By: Rudolf

Rudolf — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 22:09:31 +0000

The discogs discussion is interesting indeed. I just discovered another styrene record in my collection: John Williams Trio, EmArcy MG 36061, the second pressing (no drummer label). The first pressing, drummer label, is in vinyl. The styrene pressing is O.K. sound-wise.

By: Al

Al — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 21:52:35 +0000

I never heard of styrene until now. Sometimes my ignorance surprises me. I did a quick search and found this interesting discussion on discogs: http://www.discogs.com/forum/thread/335362

By: Rudolf

Rudolf — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 17:18:02 +0000

I never knew about this styrene for Transition lp’s. But, I always felt, when I held them in my hands, that something was “wrong”, the extreme fragility?. I just put my Watkins on the turntable after a long while and was amazed how good the sound is. No background noise, and Doug’s bass playing in light timbre (contrary to cousin P.C.’s low timbred playing) sings along all the way.

By: Geoffrey Wheeler

Geoffrey Wheeler — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 16:38:41 +0000

Speaking of records being “off center,” Parker’s Savoy commercial 78 pressing of “Ko Ko” is alleged to be off center. As a teenager, I bought my first copy of the record and don’t recall hearing anything wrong with it. But then what would I have known as a teenager other than that I loved the music! I have another copy, and that, too, seems OK. I have also heard a test pressing from the Teddy Reig collection and admittedly that is better. The master lacquer of the recording is no more. Years ago, when it was sent to Jack Towers for yet another remastering, it arrived in a very light-weight foam envelope. The disc inside had been washed but not properly dried. When Jack removed the disc from the envelope, the lacquer slid off the base. Styrene LPs are crap! Early 1950s Deccas were pressed in Puerto Rico in styrene. I had one break on me like it was a 12-inch 78!

By: Geoffrey Wheeler

Geoffrey Wheeler — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 15:58:54 +0000

$89.80 for the Chuck Wayne Progressive LP is definitely cheap! Although Wayne’s playing is excellent, I think of this as an LP by Zoot Sims and Brew Moore, both of whom are wonderful. I bought this when it came out and have enjoyed it ever since. Yes, the surfaces are noisy, but I accepted that as “standard” for certain LPs, such as early 10-inch Prestiges. That is why I later tried to get the same LP music on 78 because the sound on the 78s was better.

By: Rudolf

Rudolf — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 10:58:34 +0000

Rob: NJ 8238 is not a later pressing of the Transition session. It was recorded at least two years later.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 04:26:05 +0000

I have a NM copy of the Watkins record on the Prestige/New Jazz Label (8328). I guess that is some later pressing of the Transition?

By: Clifford

Clifford — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 00:11:16 +0000

As far as I know, all Transition LPs are styrene.