Off-centered pressings - how common with vintage records/is it prone to particular pressings?

[Taketheflame]

Hey all,

So I've been going through some more of my record collection lately, and discovering some off-centered pressings . I've heard more people complain about it on new records, but so far I've only seen it on old ones (or at least bad enough to see and hear it).

In all cases, side A has been just fine, and it's the B side that is off. The B side will still sound good until the last track or two, when bad W&F kicks in.

I'm just curious how common it actually is with old records, and if it means an entire pressing sucks, or is it just tough luck with a few duds that got past QC?

Just trying to decide if it's worth trying other copies of the same pressings, or if it's better to go with a different one? FWIW, they have all been US pressings circa late 1970s/early 80s, where I'm told QC was hit and miss, and that German, UK and Japanese pressings are best if available.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

The entire batch will be off until new stampers are put in the press. It still happens today and it’s the one defect that there should be no excuse for as it 100% operator error.

Maybe that particular set of stampers will make up to 1000 records before being replaced, but even when replaced, it’s still considered the same pressing as the new stampers are made from the same batch of mothers.

I kept getting off-center ones from the recent release of Cat Stevens Teaser and Firecat. It’s almost like you have to order a replacement LP from a different vendor, as the replacement you may get from the same vendor probably came from the same stack of bad ones.

 

[RobRoy]

It's happened to me once. Fortunately it was some "off brand" record...

 

[Taketheflame]

The entire batch will be off until new stampers are put in the press. It still happens today and it’s the one defect that there should be no excuse for as it 100% operator error.

That's what I was afraid of...

In some cases, it's been a major release with tons of variant and pressing info out there, but with others, we're talking smaller releases that probably weren't pressed in great quantities to begin with (in other words, I might have to assume all the US pressings are bad and seek an import version to play it safer trying another copy).

 

[HPMguy]

Getting a perfectly centered LP is pretty rare, nearly all of the ones I have have some wobble.

By the way, it's not the just stampers I don't think, it's the label and punching stage as well. The grooves must be correctly located, but the hole must be as well. I've seen both off.

Sadly, these days the equipment is very old and well used, at least until someone spends the money to make new stuff. Modern computer controlled equpiment should do a better job.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

That's what I was afraid of...

In some cases, it's been a major release with tons of variant and pressing info out there, but with others, we're talking smaller releases that probably weren't pressed in great quantities to begin with (in other words, I might have to assume all the US pressings are bad and seek an import version to play it safer trying another copy).

A release that’s under 1000? That seems unusual.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Getting a perfectly centered LP is pretty rare, nearly all of the ones I have have some wobble.

By the way, it's not the just stampers I don't think, it's the label and punching stage as well. The grooves must be correctly located, but the hole must be as well. I've seen both off.

Sadly, these days the equipment is very old and well used, at least until someone spends the money to make new stuff. Modern computer controlled equpiment should do a better job.

The label is put on the hot biscuit first, before it goes into the press.

But the stampers are centered and punched in a separate step before they are used for the actual pressing

http://www.gzvinyl.com/Manufacturing/Metal-Work/Preparation-of-stampers.aspx

 

[spicer]

Hey all,

So I've been going through some more of my record collection lately, and discovering some off-centered pressings . I've heard more people complain about it on new records, but so far I've only seen it on old ones (or at least bad enough to see and hear it).

In all cases, side A has been just fine, and it's the B side that is off. The B side will still sound good until the last track or two, when bad W&F kicks in.

I'm just curious how common it actually is with old records, and if it means an entire pressing sucks, or is it just tough luck with a few duds that got past QC?

Just trying to decide if it's worth trying other copies of the same pressings, or if it's better to go with a different one? FWIW, they have all been US pressings circa late 1970s/early 80s, where I'm told QC was hit and miss, and that German, UK and Japanese pressings are best if available.

I remember it being notable, meaning it wasn't common, quite rare in my experience. Large hole 45s much more common but still out of the ordinary.

 

[Taketheflame]

A release that’s under 1000? That seems unusual.

Not sure how many copies pressed exactly, but think older releases from independent labels and subsidiaries of mid-sized labels that are all defunct now.

Does a stamper typically get used for up to 1000 copies, or is it replaced sooner?

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Not sure how many copies pressed exactly, but think older releases from independent labels and subsidiaries of mid-sized labels that are all defunct now.

Does a stamper typically get used for up to 1000 copies, or is it replaced sooner?

Sometimes sooner. 1000 is a outside estimate, sort of a loose generous average. Sometimes replaced at 800. But even at 1000, it’s just an 8 hour shift

 

[patient_ot]

Have had and seen plenty of records from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s that are off-center on one or both sides. It's not just a "new vinyl" thing. Some plants are better than others when it comes to this stuff, IME.

 

[RDW]

I guess I have been lucky since I have never had one that is off center or at least not one bad enough to notice.