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The "1st Pressing" LP Hysteria- Is the terminology wrong?

I sell LP’s on Ebay and I find myself having to correct potential buyers all the time because I believe that other sellers are using "1st Pressing" and "Original Release" or "ED1" interchangeably and just confusing a lot of buyers.

I use "First Pressing" to define those records that are pressed with the first set of stampers for a particular label release. In other words, later (than the original) label release can have first stamper codes but not be an original first pressing. An "ED 1" or "First Release" can have first stamper codes or later stamper codes.

There is also a mistaken belief that "First Pressings" sound better than later pressings, but that is another rabbit hole. The biggest problem with that belief (condition aside) is that there is no way to know whether the record was pressed early, when the stampers were fresh or much later when the stampers were at the end of their useful life. This is why I put importance on true "Promo Copies" because it is usually true that these promo records were pressed while the stampers were still fresh.

Thoughts?
voiceofvinyl
qdrone
1,041 posts
 
I remember reading an article on Led Zep 2 where it pointed out that classical recordings were pressed first in the am when the vinyl vat had  a purer mix then rnr recordings that were done in the afternoon.  
Led Zep 2 changed that,it was the first recording punched out that day. A Ludwig Led Zep 2 is the benchmark for that recording before they dumbed down the original master tape.
qdrone
1,041 posts
 
http://https//youtu.be/NOW3Ep_T_Jw
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 

https://youtu.be/NOW3Ep_T_Jw




simao's avatar
simao
1,849 posts
 
Interesting thread. But I was all excited thinking it was about the Def Leppard 1st pressing of "Hysteria"!  Oh well.
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,029 posts
 
Better records has dispelled this notion about 1st pressings always sounding better. A good example is miles Davis kind of blue lp. The original 6 eye stereo pressing is not as good as a later reissue on the columbia red label. 
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