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Promotional LP's

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Posted on May 19, 2017 at 18:55:35
semuta
Audiophile

Posts: 2137
Location: northern california
Joined: December 4, 2002
 I wanted to throw out a topic for input re promo lp's. Is there a consensus regarding desirability from a sonic perspective? I would suspect that promo lp's are typically the earliest pressings. Thanks in advance.

 

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There are many types of promos, posted on May 19, 2017 at 19:16:09
vinyl1
Audiophile

Posts: 3948
Joined: October 3, 2001
 From the recording-collecting point of view, there are designated promos and white-label promos, and only the white-label promos sell for a premium.

Audiophile collecting is an entirely different world. Generally speaking, the designated promos are just stock copies with a sticker or a stamp on the cover. They are usually early pressings, but they are often nothing special. WLPs are specially made for promotional use, and may be better-sounding, depending on the label and the era.

From an audio point of view, the Quiex II promos from the 80s are the most sought-after. They were cut very hot by top mastering engineers, and carefully pressed on Quiex II vinyl. They can be very dynamic and clean, and used to sell for large premiums.

There are also special promos that are not sold to the general public. For example there was a UK-only two-LP 45-RPM promo set of Elvis Costello's 'Get Happy' that was cut with incredibly powerful bass. Such an LP appeals both to Costello collectors and audiophiles, and goes for considerable $$.

 

RE: There are many types of promos, posted on May 20, 2017 at 08:27:20
ASHRA
Audiophile

Posts: 4141
Location: Philly
Joined: March 28, 2004
 Also, sometimes promo copies are abbreviated editions of an LP. For example, Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds was a 2LP set while a promo of the same LP contains highlights of the set on a single LP.

I understand that some rare promos may have different mixes to the official release.

I myself, prefer mint white label promos for reasons you mentioned above.

Still spinnin'...

;^)

 

Only the 'special label' ones. "Stamped on cover' means nothing., posted on May 20, 2017 at 09:07:35
3+4=5
 The 1950's and into the 1960's saw promo records with a special label, usually a different colorand with the words 'promotional' on them. Yes those were early pressings and may be early stampers.

The later 970s and on typically the LPs never had special labels and the stamp on the covers was added to any stock of LPs when needed. And some promo just had the corner cut off like 'remainder' or 'cutout' excess LPs.

 

RE: There are many types of promos, posted on May 20, 2017 at 09:55:02
mr.bear
Audiophile

Posts: 4167
Joined: November 13, 2001
 I think your analysis is about right. I acquired access to an Everett WA radio stations's entire LP library years ago (sold for 3/$1, it was heaven- I'm still cleaning and listening to the haul a decade later). There were hundreds of "gold-stamped promos" and "white-label promos" in the haul.

The GSP's are, generally speaking, good pressings, clean and well-cared for since they were sent to the station for radio airplay. The WLP's all seem very fine. I have found no "Quiex" discs among this stash to date.

Working in the little record store across the street in college in the 70's, I concluded that promos often ended up in the cutouts just because they were held in some back-room to hand out to radio stations and various freeloaders until after the record has had its day. Cutouts with the corners clipped or holes drilled through the jacket have no other relation to the promo situation.

Cutouts are just records the manufacturer's ordered distributors to destroy. They'd take a whole box, run a Skilsaw across the corner, and sell them for pennies on the dollar. I was able to frequently 'dispose' of the pick of these right into my record shelf- for $1.99, thank you! There's a lot of ruined jackets there today, 40+ years on.

 

I'd make an argument for the sonic superiority of the WLP..., posted on May 20, 2017 at 14:02:50
musetap
Audiophile

Posts: 31872
Location: San Francisco
Joined: July 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: January 28, 2004
 generally speaking.

Not in comparison with ad nauseum repress' - just in comparison to first run pressings.





"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure



 

Agree teh Quiex II are very special. Problem is many covers with Quiex II sticker have a non Quiex LP inside, posted on May 20, 2017 at 20:47:19
3+4=5
 Like someone switched the real Quiex II LP with an ordinary one, then tried to sell/pass off the fake with the real cover sticker designating it to be a Quiex II pressing.
I own two Quiex II, but have seen several ordinary records in such covers for sale.. (IMO someone stole the real Quiex II LP)

The one sure bet is the Quiex II material is smoky near black grey translucent in a bright light.
Regular LPs are just black. and not translucent.

If you find a Quiex II yes they really are better

 

RE: Agree teh Quiex II are very special. Problem is many covers with Quiex II sticker have a non Quiex LP inside, posted on May 21, 2017 at 05:43:35
vinyl survivor
Audiophile

Posts: 1471
Location: Southeastern US
Joined: November 28, 2007
 And to think I passed on those back in the day. Ugh! It's possible I might have a couple.

 

I've not heard a promo, posted on May 21, 2017 at 07:07:30
jeromelang
Audiophile

Posts: 2303
Joined: February 2, 2001
 ....tha doesn't sound better than run-of-the-mill pressings.

Even the so called stamped-only promo copies sound better than their counterparts.

If you see any, just go ahead pick them up, if the price is right for you.

 

Agree..., posted on May 21, 2017 at 08:14:41
ASHRA
Audiophile

Posts: 4141
Location: Philly
Joined: March 28, 2004
 ...sometimes exceptional sound.







Still spinnin'...

;^)

 

RE: I'd make an argument for the sonic superiority of the WLP..., posted on May 21, 2017 at 09:52:40
Inmate51
 A demo of "Kind Of Blue"?! That is awesome! I have the CL 1355, which, IIRC is mono, but you're holding all the Aces and Kings with yours!

:)

 

RE: Promotional LP's, posted on May 21, 2017 at 10:05:50
Inmate51
 Here's a few. I have some others, but you get the idea - 1970s, when I was selling stereo.



One day about a year ago, I had Linda Ronstadt's song "Blue Bayou" in my head, so I went to get the album out. Much to my surprise, I apparently had mixed up a couple of albums, 'cause this ain't Linda Ronstadt! Now I gotta figure out where her album is! (And heck, now I've got that song stuck in my head again.)




:)

 

RE: Promotional LP's, posted on May 22, 2017 at 10:02:01
justdavid
Audiophile

Posts: 167
Joined: February 27, 2009
 Not too long ago I was offered some 78s.
Turns out only 2 left when I arrived.
Every lp she had was a white label
Atlantic promo. 33s and 78s.
Turns out, Ahmet ertegun and his brother
We're family friends for decades. Every time
Either showed up for dinner- had a stack of
Music. Always white label promos.
She sold all the 78s to record store because
Once there, too much trouble to take home.
She got less than 50 cents per lp!
I cried.

 

Have to disagree, posted on May 22, 2017 at 15:40:14
kavakidd
Audiophile

Posts: 20316
Location: Upstate NY
Joined: April 15, 2004
 Many of the best "promo copy" LPs do not have white labels. Blue Note & Prestige come to mind. They still bring a serious premiums based on dead wax info etc. Blue notes have been rubber stamped on the label, jacket or both. Columbia had several different labels including the standard red 6-eye label with a black, open faced imprint to designate "promotional" copies.
"Man is the only animal that blushes - or needs to" Mark Twain

 

Decca Tommy, Atlantic, and Columbia, posted on May 22, 2017 at 18:44:37
JazzDude
Audiophile

Posts: 368
Joined: July 30, 2002
 Hey Ashra! I always enjoy your photos of albums in your large and varied LP library. I like your Tommy photo. And thx for the mention it has exceptional sound. A friend, who no longer listens to LPs, has a 1st issue promo. You've motivated me to see if he'll sell it.

Your early issue of the Shape of Jazz to Come is an awesome find and quite rare. In my experience the earlier pressed all black label Atlantic jazz issues are not as rare as "bullseye label" issues such as your Ornette LP. FYI: This is not a promo (well unless the cover has a promo mention). These bullseye labels were issued for a very short period. According to the linked labelography the issue period was 1959-1960. My Goldmine labelography states that bullseye pressings "are all very rare."

My friend with the promo Tommy album received it from a buddy of ours who at the time of issue was a DJ at one of those 50,000 watt rock stations. Different from the area's sole underground station, his station played the more common bubblegum music which was the norm during that time (1960's). Once when he was on the all night shift and we had a buzz going we called in and asked him to play some Hendrix or Cream, which he did. Unfortunately his boss was listening and fired him the next day. Yucko!

Hey Kavakid! Possibly one of the Columbia promo variations you alluded to during their 6 eye period was a small white rectangular label (about 3/4 inch by 2 inches) with black print affixed to record labels that stated something similar to: Not for Sale Demonstration Copy. If I recall correctly, I've only seen these on some of their jazz issues.

 

Agreed. I just listened to one of my WLP albums, ..., posted on May 22, 2017 at 21:57:15
Raiderman
Audiophile

Posts: 2129
Location: Silicon Valley, California
Joined: March 14, 2003
 Warren Zevon's "Excitable Boy"' and it sounded incredible!

(I was just thinking how much it would take to pry this out of my hands.
I figured it would take five figures, as it sounds so $&@/?!! great!!.)

 

RE: Decca Tommy, Atlantic, and Columbia, posted on May 23, 2017 at 07:42:59
ASHRA
Audiophile

Posts: 4141
Location: Philly
Joined: March 28, 2004
 Hello JazzDude.
Thanks for the info and the link. Shortly after I posted I realized that I had been making an assumption. This version of the label is the only one I have and have ever seen. Now I know.

Re: the Tommy, I have not had the opportunity to compare with the Track or Classic reissue so I can't attest to the superiority of the WLP version. I do like the WLP but have contrasted only with original domestic US pressings. I hope you can audition and let us know what you think.

Thanks again!

Still spinnin'...

;^)

 

This was just a brief summary...., posted on May 23, 2017 at 15:40:49
vinyl1
Audiophile

Posts: 3948
Joined: October 3, 2001
 ....if I was going to write a book and go into all the exceptions, I probably wouldn't do it here.

 

Ok - BUT., posted on May 23, 2017 at 16:29:36
kavakidd
Audiophile

Posts: 20316
Location: Upstate NY
Joined: April 15, 2004
 you stated that ONLY the white labels bring a premium. I actually have sold Blue Notes for $1,000 - $1,500.00. Prestige and Riversides as well often bringing $400 or more. My only quibble was with the "Only"
"Man is the only animal that blushes - or needs to" Mark Twain

 

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