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Black vs. Colored Vinyl

I've picked up pieces of various threads about the different quality of vinyl used to make LPs.  What I've heard said is that the best vinyl to use is black, and that colored vinyl doesn't have the sonic quality of the traditional black vinyl.  Given that colored vinyl is all the rage these days and countless reissues of LPs we likely have multiple copies of anyway are hitting the market trying to encourage us to purchase yet another limited release, I thought I would reinvestigate the topic.  Anybody know of a quality resource that defines the different types of vinyl?  I heard about some vinyl back in the 70's used to make LPs that could be folded over like wonder bread being poor quality, and other LPs from the era that are solid and unbendable being good quality.  But today's market with all the groovy colors is a whole new world.  What y'all say?
pgaulke60
edcyn
1,876 posts
 
I've always figured that because colored vinyl is usually used in special/limited editions, chances are that they might undergo a bit more post-pressing inspection.  And yes, I've found this to be true.  Then again, it all inevitably comes down to the label.  Columbia LPs are usually well pressed, no matter what.  ATCOs less so.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
All  are wonderful it depends on the pressing quality colored LPs are good as will also mastering quality is very important.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Don’t forget the clear ones, no color, transparent 
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
I'm particularly fond of the marbled ones. 
jbrrp1
423 posts
 
Vinyl is vinyl and will soften and melt at the same temperature, so flattening a black vs. colored LP should not show a difference.  To make a black LP, carbon black is added as a reinforcing pigment, which means it increases the stiffness of the vinyl, but that also means it increases its brittleness - - they are the flip sides of the same coins, with property trade offs.  Now, the type of carbon black chosen and the amount of fill will influence where on the trade off spectrum a given pressing falls, so you really cannot make blanket statements about "black is best", because that likely encompasses a whole host of possible formulations.
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