Reg Scott

Mr Dare, A short overview: Vinyl: Vinyl records are usually tapered at the outer edge of the record. If you have a colored record or picture disc, you can be 99.9 percent sure that your record is vinyl. Vinyl records will tend to be heavier than the other types of records. If you thump a vinyl record (not recommended) on the label, you'll hear a hearty, low "thud" reverberate loudly from the record. Almost all 12" LP's will be made from vinyl. Only budget labels, sold originally at a much lower price, will be made out of anything but vinyl. Styrene: Styrene is a material mostly used from the early 1960's onward for '45' rpm records. Styrene records are seldom, if ever, tapered at the outer edge of the record. Unlike vinyl records, styrene records are not at all flexible, and break very easily. They most always have thin paper labels, which may show signs of peeling away from the record. During the late 60's and early 70's, some record companies such as Bell and Mala used a "painted" label. These records, in my experience, are not common... but don't usually garner a higher price either. If you thump a styrene record (not recommended) on the label, you will hear a very light "dink" reverberate quickly from the record. Some budget label LP's are also made from styrene. They will exhibit most of the same qualities as a styrene '45'. '45' rpm records have long been the workhorse of the industry. Selling at a much lower price than the album version, they were subject to repeated plays. It is harder to tell the surface quality of a vinyl '45,' but styrene '45's show it easily. A worn styrene '45' will exhibit a white hue to the record's surface when viewed in strong light. Any good styrene '45' will still be shiny and should reflect strong light. Still, with styrene, you can never be sure. Handling of most '45' rpm records was haphazard, at best. More often than not, they were stored without being placed back into their paper sleeve. Finding a '45' in an original company sleeve is always a plus! You should also note that most '45' rpm records exist on both vinyl AND styrene, so always be on the lookout. That worn out styrene record you have may show up at some flea market in a "worse looking, but better sounding" vinyl form! Beginning around 1951 and continuing until 1991, almost all of the 45s issued by Columbia and other associated labels were made of polystyrene, or "styrene" for short, rather than the polyvinyl chloride, or "vinyl," used by other labels. Columbia wasn't the only label to use styrene for 45s; several significant independent pressing plants also used styrene most of the time, including the two big ones in Los Angeles, Monarch and Allied. Also, those infamous records from the Amy/Mala/Bell family, as well as scattered releases on other labels such as Disneyland, that had their "labels" printed directly onto the wax were pressed on styrene. The easiest way to tell a styrene from a vinyl record, if you aren't sure otherwise, is to look at the label area. Generally speaking, a styrene 45 has a raised label; it looks as if you could remove the label if you stuck something (a fingernail, a knife) under it. Labels on vinyl records are flush with the wax. Styrene labels are stuck on rather than pressed on, so you can see the edge of the label looks like a sticker rather than the usual 'lip' of labels pressed onto vinyl. You can usually see through a polystyrene record. Hold one up to light and they'll have a distinctive violet colour. It is true if you hold a record up to a light bulb you can see a redish purple light through the polystyrene. no light will be seen with a pvc record. They are also brittle as Hell and don't like being flexed. The labels will also look a bit different, having a pasted on look (sometimes with air bubbles) rather than the shiny smooth surface you usually see with vinyl copies. Polystyrene is a hard plastic; polyvinylchloride is a soft plastic. Styrene 45s are also lighter in weight than vinyl 45s but the stiffness is the easiest way to tell. Styrene records get a bad rap because they don't tend to stand up to abuse as well as vinyl discs. That said, in near-mint condition, there is no audible difference between a vinyl and a styrene 45. When a record is worn, on a styrene record, the groove will be starting to turn white. Easiest two ways to tell a styrene record: 1) Labels are stuck on styrene instead of pressed, so you can feel the edge of the label is raised almost as if a paper printout has been stuck on. On vinyl records, the labels are pressed on and hug the beautiful curves of the record. 2) Styrene records sound kinda hollow and resonant if you hold them up between your fingers and tap the centre with a fingernail. A vinyl record makes a soft, dull thud. Styrene; light, very stiff material (often thick with squared off edges). Styrene (properly, Polystyrene). Hard, relatively inflexible plastic used to press records, mainly 7-inch singles, mainly using the Injection Moulding process. The material is heated to a liquid form and is then squirted or injected into the closed stampers in the press. This requires that the labels be either glued or painted on after the record leaves the press. The cost savings to the manufacturer comes from the extended life of the stampers because of the lack of a heating cycle to the stampers; apparently they pressed most promo's on vinyl to give the press the best quality records, then pressed them on styrene for the general publicThe material can also be reused without noticeable change to its moulding properties. Styrene records will therefore usually have very quiet surfaces when found in an UNPLAYED Mint condition, but unfortunately they will wear to a noisy condition rapidly, especially if played with a bad stylus or an improperly tracking tonearm. Hope this helps. More wine please waiter! ATB Greg.

Yes Dante, spot on. Regards G.

Totally agree my friend - don't get many chances to be nerdy and get into the nitty gritty.. Best open another bottle! ATB Greg.

I don't think so Ken. The green label on styrene credited to 'Case Of Tyme' is an original press it was reissued on green label but on vinyl. The yellow label in the picture is the reissue on vinyl - the original has LEGEND in red writing - but becareful as there is a counterfeit that also has Legend in red. To identify the original you need to identify the correct deadwax info on that (image as above). There's also a white label copy boot. As the question was about the name credits - with or without James Lewis - that's the point I was addressing in the main, but I hope I've clarified the original/reissue thing correctly? ATB Greg

The 'Love Changes' side is sheer class. True mid-tempo magic! Great record. ATB Greg.

It's both - James Lewis And The Case Of Tyme on yellow label pressed on vinyl (later reissued) and Case Of Tyme with a green label and pressed on styrene. See below. ATB Greg.

If you are a frequent buyer then it pays to be as informed as possible. It's never going to be fool proof - there will always be anomalies as in any market Factors such as expectation of future demand, reduction in supply, erratic human behaviour etc - imperfect information exists always. However, a combination of the sources already quoted above; auction data, previous sales (lists, dealers, websites, forums, word of mouth, and experience) all help to reduce the risk of the imperfect information factor in the demand and supply equation. Buyer beware - do your homework. Regards, Greg.

Good old CM - always on top of it price wise! Maybe I was a bit ambitious with the tenner - although I got one not long ago for £6. Result for once But $150 is steep - £40 should get one easy enough. Regards Greg.

The blue issue seems to be less commonly available. This is a tune you can still pick up for a tenner if you look around (pink/orange issue) But not for long as it is being picked up on.. Great tune - both sides ATB Greg.

As PS says, there are alot of issues around but how rare is the Sassy w/d ? That is one very attractive piece of vinyl Pottsy btw - bit out of my price bracket - but beautiful never the less! ATB Greg.

TBH Dave, I like to receive buys clean. BUT, if and only if, I know the dealer uses a sensible method. Otherwise I'm happy to receive the record and do the job myself. The customer who returned, probably spun the record and heard some noise from the record due to the accumulated dust of time and didn't bother considering it might need a clean after 40 years! ATB Greg.

I don't think it's anything to do with a problem with the 'scene' as its nature and form is always changing. Sales have increased and some prices have gone down more because of people's financial position currently given the recession and to some extent generational change - records being sold to sure up a future pension fund maybe. In general it's a buyers market but the 'big', 'rare' and 'in-demand' stuff remains pretty bouyant IMO. There's no guarantee on Ebay or JM's auction. On JM's he starts all records from scratch with no reserve possible as far as I know. On Ebay you can obviously set a starting price and/or reserve. At the moment, on balance, Ebay seems to be fetching the best prices with JM's not far behind. One option could be to request offers on here, rather than an auction, then if you get an acceptable bid you sell if not you can go to plan b - whatever other method you choose. ATB Greg.

Petar, You requested a copy of 'The Projections' from me also. You did explain why you had to cancel and were polite. You also explained the problem with paypal in Serbia. All fine. Just be clear with the sellers and you will be fine. Welcome to soul source. BTW if you want some real abuse go over to Fryer's forum your guaranteed a rough welcome there ATB Greg.

Grab this somebody: Lorraine Johnson - The More I get - Prelude Great 70's dancer. Cheap as.. I've seen it at £30 recently. ATB G.

NOW SOLD Thank You.. ATB Greg.

Hi Lee Mr Moerer has M- copies of 'Shake Your Mini' on US release Showtime 111 at $20 As Seb says, the double sider with 'Heartbreaker' is on a UK release Beacon 106. If you don't get sorted on here JM has a copy. Hope that helps. ATB Greg

Hi, just a quick update and reminder regarding this tune: Cindy & The Playmates - Don't Stop This Train / A Portrait Of God's Love - Kemp J.P. 129 Firstly, thanks for the offers received so far. Offers are still being accepted until Sunday night. All bidders will be informed of their status on Monday 1st March. The record is a great double sider with "A Portrait Of God's Love" a wonderful piece of crossover and "Don't Stop This Train" a powerful funky soul tune - very 'now'. Condition wise, both vinyl and labels are in EX+/NM condition. This is something that pops up very rarely - only one recorded sale on Popsike (link here) and rates as an 'F'' on The Funky & Groovy Music Records Lexicon by Peter Wermelinger, with 'H' being extremely rare and 'A' common. Check out the soundclips below taken from the record up for offers. DON'T STOP THIS TRAIN - KEMP - A PORTRAIT OF GOD'S LOVE - KEMP - ------------------------------------------------- Original post: (link here) ------------------------------------------------- Please PM Enquiries / Offers Or Email: hotwire747-clearvinyl@yahoo.co.uk Payment by Paypal, Cheque or Cash. ------------------------------------------------- Thanks For Your Interest. -------------------------------------------------

Again, seen quite a few in that price range recently. ATB Greg.

Up for offer is: Cindy & The Playmates - A Portrait Of God's Love / Don't Stop This Train - Kemp J.P. 129 I'm not certain of an accurate set sale price - given the few recorded sales - so I'm putting this up for offers. I'll let this run until Sunday night and if a suitable offer is made then great - otherwise back in the box. Just to be clear it's not an auction just an opportunity for people to make an offer on this pretty rare piece. The record is a great double sider with "A Portrait Of God's Love" a wonderful piece of crossover and "Don't Stop This Train" a powerful funky soul tune. Condition wise, both vinyl and labels are in EX+/NM condition. Check out the soundclips below taken from the record up for offers. DON'T STOP THIS TRAIN - KEMP - A PORTRAIT OF GOD'S LOVE - KEMP - ------------------------------------------------- Please PM Enquiries / Offers Or Email: hotwire747-clearvinyl@yahoo.co.uk Payment by Paypal, Cheque or Cash. ------------------------------------------------- Thanks For Your Interest. -------------------------------------------------

This is a leftfield choice but a really good tune IMO. Recommend you give it a listen if you don't know it. RONNIE SAWYER - ATB Greg.

Now Sorted. Many thanks to everyone who responded. Much appreciated. Regards, Greg.

Hi, Help required please with this 45. Looking for nice clean EX/NM play grade copy of the following: GODOY COLBERT - BABY I LIKE IT - REVUE 11037 ______________________________________________________ Please state condition of the label and vinyl - any marks, wear etc... Fast payment via Paypal for the right item. Please PM replies or Email: hotwire747-clearvinyl@yahoo.co.uk Thanks in advance... ---------------------------------------- Regards, Greg.

As far as I know, the Soultown issue is a sound legit release. Agree with the points above by Slider. Cheers, Greg.

The "I'll Be Around" side was the main play in the 80's and is great. The "Nervous Breakdown" side of Ronnie Forte is spoken about quite alot so surprised you missed that one Tony. Too many great flips to metion them all but two new ones to me that I'm enjoying are "Come On Down To The Ghetto" by the Superlatives and "Verbal Expressions Of TV" by Johnny Thunder - bit more obscure but that's the kind I'm digging for nowadays. ATB Greg.

Hi Ian PM'd you regarding: C.O.D.'s, / I'm a Good Guy b/w Pretty Baby / Kellmac 1005 ATB Greg.