Where to find vinyl from original master tapes


I need to replace some LP's and just get some I don't currently have.
I have been searching & see that there are many different sources to buy from. When I see "German Pressing" or "Japan Pressing" I wonder where do they get their source music from? I find it hard to believe that Capital, Epic, etc. records would send their original masters around the planet for folks to use.
Leads up tp my main question; Any way to tell if an LP has been mastered from the original tape? Buying from a third generation master seems semi pointless.
Thanks, John
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Wow, thanks for the responses. What got me on this little quest is my Peter Gabriel albums (1st three) have always sounded like ka-ka. After twenty plus years I finally looked at them closer. All three albums, inner tracks have serious bubbles in the vinyl itself. They look like street paving under the naked eye. I am amazed they even played at all. It would have been easier on the needle if I played double aught sand paper.
At any rate I am on the search for new ones, hopefully someone produced new copies using real vinyl without the whoop-de-doos & gravel imbedded.
Thanks, John
Jaybo, are there any specific places on the net where you can find recommendations on sound quality for various pressings?
feedback on acoustic sounds, audio asylum, and right here on agon for starters.