[MaxCast]

Trying to decipher record labels.  What to look for when finding what issue you have?  Catalog numbers?  Marks and numbers in the wax?  Sometimes I see the same cat. number over different issues and pressings. 
Looking at gem or discogs with all the different issues, etc. can take the fun out of it.
What do you guys and gals do?

Rich

[Devil Doc]

I depend on my B$M guy. I trust him. I bring stuff to him all the time to evaluate. What takes me hours, takes him minutes.

Doc

[vinyl_guy]

Check the sleeve notes to see who mastered the LP and where. Then check the dead wax. The dead wax generally contains information about the pressing, release information, production, mastering studio, etc. and occasionaly a message from the artist. Steve Hoffman's website is the best source I know for finding out which is the best pressing, etc. www.stevehoffman.tv.

[Letitroll98]

I've read a zillion posts on this topic from people who seem to know what they're talking about and it's all still Greek to me.  Apparently not in my skill set.  So I've decided to not care and just spin the plastic.

[Wayner]

The real info is whats written on the area in the lead-out groove.....

[orthobiz]

Play it by ear and learn slowly. This link has the Columbia labels listed: http://heroinc.0catch.com/columbia/

stevehoffman.tv is indispensable for questions about individual records, certainly of no help if you have to have an answer in a record store "on the fly."

Some random observations that may help, many assuming the early versions are closer to the master tape and are better:

1. Early versions of records before the late 80's will NOT have the UPC.
2. Frequently original releases have album extras, like a gatefold cover, or a poster.
3. Early versions will NOT have "includes the smash hit..." either as a sticker on the actual cover or printed into the actual cover.
4. Learn some individual labels. Hendrix records will have a steamboat Reprise label, even earlier have a three color steamboat label. Early Grateful Dead have the green Warner Brothers label and not the Burbank California picture label. Early Bowie on orange labels, reissued on black.
5. Learn individual albums, like Led Zeppelin II Robert Ludwig mastering. Lots can be learned by reading the dead wax. Search for "dead wax" on stevehoffman.tv.
6. Read the album fine print and make sure it wasn't printed in the USA before you think you've discovered a rare import! Check for language like "previously released as..."
7. Ask individual questions also on this forum, one of us might know. Heck, my 18 year old daughter can spot a Porky Prime Cut a mile away!

Paul

[MaxCast]

Hey, thanks for the info everyone.
When you say the SH site I assume you mean the forum.  When looking for a particular release or title you just search for the number in the wax #, title, artist?  I have not registered there so I can not try it.

I am not really looking for rare collectable stuff but mainly for good pressings or pressings to avoid.  When a dealer says "oh this is a Holland import and is a great pressing, I need $20"  I wanna be able to check it out.        Or to research a particular album then be on the look out when shopping.

The link orthobiz provided shows why letitroll just lets em spin. 

We have found two record stores within a 30 drive in the same city    pretty exciting around here    One is on the expensive side catering to the resurgence of LPs and the other is totally messy, unorganized, but cheap.  Both have limited hours.  Our next option are two stores 50 miles away.

[orthobiz]

When you say the SH site I assume you mean the forum.  When looking for a particular release or title you just search for the number in the wax #, title, artist?  I have not registered there so I can not try it.

Skip the registration if you want...go to the google.com site or use the "google" search box in your web browser.

Type in something like
site:stevehoffman.tv led zeppelin dead wax
hit return and voila! you will have searches answered.

Any search for google:
site:stevehoffman.tv (add your individual search words here)

Paul

[Miney]

We have found two record stores within a 30 drive in the same city    pretty exciting around here    One is on the expensive side catering to the resurgence of LPs and the other is totally messy, unorganized, but cheap.  Both have limited hours.  Our next option are two stores 50 miles away.

I'm not much for reading these - not that I wouldn't like to, but guess I'm lazy as I just focus on how the product sounds @ 33.3333 RPM. 

Do either of these stores accept returns / exchanges?  While I hate to take stuff back, evaluating used LPs at the store can be a crapshoot - some of the super-clean and shiny ones end up sounding like $hit, and other times a nasty looking one cleans up to play beautifully.

Regardless, happy hunting!

[roscoeiii]

You might want to learn the initials of big name folks involved in the process to look for in the dead wax. RL SH RVG KG BG. Hmm who am I forgetting? Or did I get some of those initials wrong? Sterling and Masterworks are also worth looking for.

And on the other side I things, learn how to spot a Scorpio and steer clear

[MaxCast]

I'm not much for reading these - not that I wouldn't like to, but guess I'm lazy as I just focus on how the product sounds @ 33.3333 RPM. 

Do either of these stores accept returns / exchanges?  While I hate to take stuff back, evaluating used LPs at the store can be a crapshoot - some of the super-clean and shiny ones end up sounding like $hit, and other times a nasty looking one cleans up to play beautifully.

Regardless, happy hunting!

That was the reason for my thread which I seemingly left out.  I want to get the best sound according to price.  ONe guy really knows his records and will tell me it's an import, first issue, blah blah label...  he sells those at higher prices.  I understand and accept that.  But if I'm going to pay $20 I want to know what I'm getting and how to research it.  I (actually my son was there with his grandma) just paid $20 for a used MoFi Crime of the Centry.  This is the best sounding and quietest album I own.

All of the record stores that we visit will except exchanges so that is cool with me.  If we don't like the quality of a record we can try another one or get something else.  Yes, it is a crap shoot but fun.  My kids practically drag me to the record store. 

You might want to learn the initials of big name folks involved in the process to look for in the dead wax. RL SH RVG KG BG. Hmm who am I forgetting? Or did I get some of those initials wrong? Sterling and Masterworks are also worth looking for.

And on the other side I things, learn how to spot a Scorpio and steer clear

Scorpio?  See?  I have more things to google.