Some serious storage issues!

[doomedplanet]

I've noticed quality control varies wildly these days. I'm seeing a number of underground label switch to German or french pressing plants. For example CMC used to use GZ (which is legendary for quality issues, the Pagan Altrar release mentioned is pressed there) but are now using another plant that is bit better sounding to me. I think the more recent No Remorse releases are also pressed somewhere besides GZ. Might be worth asking these labels why they switched, if it is sound quality improvements or better price, hard to say. I am sure they would tell you why, if they do I would like to hear some report back.

High Roller has always used GZ to press all their titles but many of them the master lacquers are now being cut at SST in Germany (check the recent Warlord 3lp reissues and you can see this marking in the dead wax) and the sound quality is very much improved. But not ALL HRR are being cut at SST, because adding that lacquer step surely costs the label more money.

On another note I also noticed something recently, that many of my GZ pressed lps sound better since I switched to a cartridge that has a better stylus tip versus the typical normal elliptical or conical shape that most people use. GZ pressed lps needs to a cleaned properly to clean all the dust out, and many times the records are really full of static that needs to be removed, or else more dust gathers in the grooves.

[vasilis2112]

I’ve found quite a few topics in Discogs forum by people complaining like me about newer pressed vinyl being slightly warped or having other imperfections. So I guess this would be the answer to my concerns. I checked my collection and found several records stored with 7’/CDs or extras inside the jackets for many years and seem perfectly flat.

[vasilis2112]

The most convincing answer I found about warped vinyl is that pressing plants don’t let vinyl cool down enough before they pack and this obviously may cause them to warp!

[vasilis2112]

I've noticed quality control varies wildly these days. I'm seeing a number of underground label switch to German or french pressing plants. For example CMC used to use GZ (which is legendary for quality issues, the Pagan Altrar release mentioned is pressed there) but are now using another plant that is bit better sounding to me. I think the more recent No Remorse releases are also pressed somewhere besides GZ. Might be worth asking these labels why they switched, if it is sound quality improvements or better price, hard to say. I am sure they would tell you why, if they do I would like to hear some report back.

High Roller has always used GZ to press all their titles but many of them the master lacquers are now being cut at SST in Germany (check the recent Warlord 3lp reissues and you can see this marking in the dead wax) and the sound quality is very much improved. But not ALL HRR are being cut at SST, because adding that lacquer step surely costs the label more money.

On another note I also noticed something recently, that many of my GZ pressed lps sound better since I switched to a cartridge that has a better stylus tip versus the typical normal elliptical or conical shape that most people use. GZ pressed lps needs to a cleaned properly to clean all the dust out, and many times the records are really full of static that needs to be removed, or else more dust gathers in the grooves.

Very nice information my friend. Thank you!
Maybe some Greek fellow here knows about the switch of pressing plants by noremorse and CMC and could provide us with the answer.
I will definitely keep in mind and ask next time I visit them.

[doomedplanet]

The most convincing answer I found about warped vinyl is that pressing plants don’t let vinyl cool down enough before they pack and this obviously may cause them to warp!

yes this can be the case for sure. Also if the "die" used in the pressing process is worn out then the record is not being heated then cooled properly as it is made. Another thing is often these days records are stored for a long time outside of the sleeve in a wareheouse. this can be a risk too. There seem to be many factors at play. Who knows which one is the worse?