Esquire vs Prestige: Is There A Difference in Sound?
I think I’m developing a little thing for the original Esquire covers. Here’s the latest I’m watching: Eric Dolphy at the Five Spot, Volume 1, Esquire 32-173. Having been based in the United States during my whole jazz collecting life, many of these records are absolutely new to me, even though many of them are at least 50 years old. I think that’s one of the great things that eBay has brought to collecting: Creating a market where just about every item you can conceive — or even those that you can’t conceive — will at some point make an appearance. Anyway, this one is in M- condition for the record and VG++ for the cover. The start price is $199 and so far there are no bidders with more than three days to go. The seller claims that this pressing has better sound than the original U.S. pressing. That sounds quite difficult to verify, but I imagine someone out there may have both pressings and could do a comparison. Rudolf? Speaking of Rudolf, it looks like this one of his has reached it’s reserve price and will sell: Jackie McLean, The New Tradition, Ad Lib 6601. This one is M- for the record and Ex for the cover. The price is now more than $2,000 and the auction closes in two days.
Over at londonjazzcollector, he’s of the opinion that the sound is the same: http://londonjazzcollector.wordpress.com/record-labels-guide/10-esquire-uk-2/
seems like the posts indicate the Esquire are superior
read all the posts Joe
No, I don’t have this particular Dolphy on Esquire, only the US original. I started to collect Esquire when Prestige was deleting at great speed early items from their catalogue, to re-issue and re-package them on cheap vinyl on two-fers (like “Trumpets All Out” – PRLP 7344, combining the former Two Trumpets and Three Trumpets) or otherwise.
The early Esquires are of the same high quality as early NYC Prestige pressings. Later Esquires are of the same quality as later original Prestige/New Jazz. Esquires are always better than Prestige re-issues or later pressings with the trident labels.
Indeed, the Ad Lib has met the reserve. Let’s see what happens now.
…Hopefully that is not your only copy of The New Tradition Rudolf. That LP is a staple in my collection these days, and would certainly be a tough one to part with. Although, the current bid on yours is certainly tempting. My copy has a NM- record as well but only a VG- cover so it may not fetch the same stellar return as yours. If I ever do decide to sell my copy, it will probably have been played down to a -VG or worse ! Heh heh.
Unlike a lot of European releases of US recordings, the UK Esquire label (1956-64) releases of Prestige were pressed with US-supplied stampers, and not remastered locally. Hence original engravings in the trail off, with signature or stamp RVG initials and often the AB (Abbey Manufacturing)marking.
Pressed from the same metalwork it is unsurprising they sound remarkably similar to Prestige originals. In effect, they are. Decca New Malden did a fine job with the pressing, and unlike Prestige’s “thrifty Bob” never compromised with recycled vinyl.
I have some matched pairs, where I have the Esquire and the Prestige, and quite a few Esquires (though certainly not all) have the edge. There is some benefit I think from the stability and resilience of vinyl weight in the 180-240 gram range which is normal for Esquires, compared with 150-160g for Prestige original. Basically, they are much more tolerant of surface scuff and scratch, and are often found in better condition.
The real advantage of Esquire pressings is that not everyone is familiar with the label, so they area whole lot cheaper. The only real downside of Esquire is the alternative covers, some of which are pretty dire, though some like them. Judge for yourself.
http://londonjazzcollector.wordpress.com/record-labels-guide/10-esquire-uk-2/esquire-12-32-000-series-covers-complete/
The problem with Esquires is the thin covers, which are prone to a helluva lot of wear.
Hey,LondonJC:
Many thanks to your efforts in putting together the complete Esquire page on your great site.The obvious labor of love is often praised w/o the “labor” part getting the appropriate emphasis. Bloggers like youself-and Al-are true “keepers of the flame”.