Hi. I used to buy a lot of records before. Now I discovered the fun of collecting again, but now i'm also more serious about witch releases i buy, only originals from now on. There's a few things i'm wondering about:

1)What's the difference between a LP (album) and a 12", is a 12" original release worth more than a original LP release? For example Leftfield - Leftism (LP) and Leftfield - Open Up (12").

2) What's the deal with these whitelabel/blacklabel 12", are they worth more than printed 12", for example: wich one is worth the most, Underworld - Cow Girl (white label) or Underworld - Cowgirl (printed/printed sleeve)? Both came out the same year and are "originals", not reprints.

3) I have this theory that the first 12" release ever of a record is worth more than all of the re-releases, how can i find out witch 12" was the first from a artist. For example if i'm out to get the first release ever of Indeep - Last night a dj saved my life, how do i know wich release was the absolutely first one?

4) What is most worth or "wanted" by record collectors, is it 7" or 12". I have the song Run DMC - Walk this way on both 7" and 12", both originals in mint conditions. Wich one is worth the most? (Edit: not that they should be worth much, just used them as an example)

5) I want to protect my records as best as possible. How can i best do that? I'm looking for good plastic sleeves to have around them and i've heard of some that fuck ups the color on the cover after some time, is this true? If so, where can i buy plastic sleeves that really are good and protects my records best?

Hope some of you can answer my questions, thanks.

1. Well, the Leftism LP is the unmixed vinyl edition of the Leftism cd release. So, in that case, LP's are generally double or triple vinyl packs that include all the tracks on the original cd, or sometimes only a few. A 12" refers to a single release with usually the original mix and/or other remixes of the same track. Leftfield's "Open Up" 12" is like a cd single, except in vinyl form.

2. Whitelabels are usually test pressings of new releases. They are limited pressings and are given out to select people in the industry. These people, most likely dj's, play whitelabels as a way to promote a new track and to see how well people respond to it. If the response is favorable, the better chance a song has to be properly licensed and released retail. If the response is shitty, then the labels and producer of the track would need to seriously consider how far to take the track and if they want to push it retail or not. So, being whitelabels are limited, then they would ultimately be worth more than the regular retail packaged release.

3. Not sure what you mean here.

4. I have no idea what format is worth more, it would depend on the rarity of the release itself and whether it came out on 7" or 12". For most records, 12" are probably more sought after because of how much material is pressed to the 12" size instead of the 7" size. However, to dj's and dance music fans, the 12" format is the most wanted. As for your Run DMC records, you might want to find out how many of each size was pressed to determine the value. Whichever was pressed the least, would probably be worth more.

5. If you want to protect your records, then I'd suggest checking out www.sleevetown.com. They have a wide variety of inner sleeves, outer jackets, and protective plastic for the jackets. I personally like to archive and store my collection in third party sleeves and jackets instead of keeping them in the original packaging. This way, all of my records are getting the same storage treatment and it makes my collection look more organized and neat. I use the polylined paper inner sleeves and the die-cut cardboard outer jackets, both white in color from this site. The sleeves fit very well into the jackets and the poly-plastic lining on the inside protects against scratches and static. I bought 100 of each, and I paid about $110 for my order including shipping. It's expensive, but worth it if you want ultimate care for your records. I haven't experienced any discoloration at all. Also, I would recommend getting some Gruv Glide record cleaner in addition to the sleeves/jackets.

I hope I could be of some help. If anyone wants to expand on what I said, please do.

___________________
"...the major problem in the past was to locate the settings of the ancient plastic city. referring to our latest findings plastic city wasn't a city built of stone or metal but more kind of built out of ideas.... (PLASTIC CITY) can't be found by our archaeologists. we will have to examine the ideas and then try to re-construct plastic city in out minds..." (EXCERPT FROM "SCIENTIST REPORT NETWORK" #12.587, YEAR 2495)

Thanks Dj Intrigue. I wrote the first question a little wrong, off course i know the difference between a LP and 12" (12" is like 12 single in my examples). But i wondered witch of them that could obtain the best price at second hand market, but nevermind..
What i meant with question number 3 is that if for example record "A" is released january 1990 and a new release of "A" is released on another label (or maybe the same) november 1990 and so on and son on.. Wouldn't the first release be the one that is the ultimate one, the original, the one that's worth most and maybe the "best" to have in the collection? And how can i find out wich release is the absolute first one, when they're both printed with the year 1990 on the label??

quote:

Originally posted by Just4Fun Thanks Dj Intrigue. I wrote the first question a little wrong, off course i know the difference between a LP and 12" (12" is like 12 single in my examples). But i wondered witch of them that could obtain the best price at second hand market, but nevermind.. What i meant with question number 3 is that if for example record "A" is released january 1990 and a new release of "A" is released on another label (or maybe the same) november 1990 and so on and son on.. Wouldn't the first release be the one that is the ultimate one, the original, the one that's worth most and maybe the "best" to have in the collection? And how can i find out wich release is the absolute first one, when they're both printed with the year 1990 on the label??

Probably the first one because that will be the main label that the artist is signed to.

alot of whitelabels are made too because they don't get all the copyrights proper, so it is kinda like a bootleg sort to speak.. Not in all cases though..

Jay

quote:

Originally posted by veezee alot of whitelabels are made too because they don't get all the copyrights proper, so it is kinda like a bootleg sort to speak.. Not in all cases though.. Jay

Exactly, ‘promos’ are the ones to see how much reaction they will get before official release.

So the promo copy is often the most valuable, or at least in many cases. But whatabout books, record collector guides, you know these books with with listing of hundreds thousands of records.. are there any books like that specially for trance/house/ techno music?

quote:

Originally posted by Just4Fun So the promo copy is often the most valuable, or at least in many cases. But whatabout books, record collector guides, you know these books with with listing of hundreds thousands of records.. are there any books like that specially for trance/house/ techno music?

Promos and white labels generally don't have the artwork, so whether that makes the official release more valuable I don’t know.

I don’t know about these books, I think they might be for more commercial music.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Intrigue If you want to protect your records, then I'd suggest checking out www.sleevetown.com. They have a wide variety of inner sleeves, outer jackets, and protective plastic for the jackets. I personally like to archive and store my collection in third party sleeves and jackets instead of keeping them in the original packaging. This way, all of my records are getting the same storage treatment and it makes my collection look more organized and neat. I use the polylined paper inner sleeves and the die-cut cardboard outer jackets, both white in color from this site. The sleeves fit very well into the jackets and the poly-plastic lining on the inside protects against scratches and static. I bought 100 of each, and I paid about $110 for my order including shipping. It's expensive, but worth it if you want ultimate care for your records. I haven't experienced any discoloration at all. Also, I would recommend getting some Gruv Glide record cleaner in addition to the sleeves/jackets.

Those die-cut cardboard outer jackets you are talking about, are they just those cheap thin card board ones, or are they the ones that are like 3D, like a book that are thicker so you can have the title on the side of it. Thats what im looking for but can't seem to find anyone that stocks them, other than those thin ones. cheers

quote:

Originally posted by TranceMuzik02 Those die-cut cardboard outer jackets you are talking about, are they just those cheap thin card board ones, or are they the ones that are like 3D, like a book that are thicker so you can have the title on the side of it. Thats what im looking for but can't seem to find anyone that stocks them, other than those thin ones. cheers

I think I know what you are talking about. For example, I have the John Digweed MMII 3x12 pack and the outer jacket is thick enough so that the title is on the side. Is that what you mean? If it is, why would you need that kind, as the only reason it is that thick is because of housing 3 vinyls. I've never seen any sleeves like this anywhere.

Anyway, I don't think the outer jackets I bought are that cheap and flimsy. They are made of high-gloss heavy cardboard and do hold up very well and the inner sleeves fit perfectly into them. I paid $67 for a 100-pack of jackets, which I don't consider very cheap. However, if by cheap you mean the standard run-of-the-mill jackets that retail vinyls usually ship in, then yes, the jackets I mentioned above are definitely better and will hold up better. They work wonderful for me (and make my collection look very organized too!), but I guess it justs depends on your definition of cheap and thin.

Hope that helps.

___________________
"...the major problem in the past was to locate the settings of the ancient plastic city. referring to our latest findings plastic city wasn't a city built of stone or metal but more kind of built out of ideas.... (PLASTIC CITY) can't be found by our archaeologists. we will have to examine the ideas and then try to re-construct plastic city in out minds..." (EXCERPT FROM "SCIENTIST REPORT NETWORK" #12.587, YEAR 2495)

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Intrigue I think I know what you are talking about. For example, I have the John Digweed MMII 3x12 pack and the outer jacket is thick enough so that the title is on the side. Is that what you mean? If it is, why would you need that kind, as the only reason it is that thick is because of housing 3 vinyls. I've never seen any sleeves like this anywhere. Anyway, I don't think the outer jackets I bought are that cheap and flimsy. They are made of high-gloss heavy cardboard and do hold up very well and the inner sleeves fit perfectly into them. I paid $67 for a 100-pack of jackets, which I don't consider very cheap. However, if by cheap you mean the standard run-of-the-mill jackets that retail vinyls usually ship in, then yes, the jackets I mentioned above are definitely better and will hold up better. They work wonderful for me (and make my collection look very organized too!), but I guess it justs depends on your definition of cheap and thin. Hope that helps.

Yeh, that’s what I mean, but for just 1 vinyl rather than 2 or 3 vinyls. For example take, Black Hole, ITWT, Tsunami which seem to always use them.

I didn't mean those ones you mean are cheap and crap, but I mean they are cheaper because they are just a piece of card folded over and glued, rather than actually having proper edges which obviously takes more efforts to make.

I have my records in like a book case, so you only see the sides of the record jackets, so its a pain finding and getting out the record, because you can't really see it, plus the ones that I want make your record collection look bigger and tidy.