Serial #'s on vinyl.

[Johnny Vinyl]

I guess it's human nature to want the lowest possible serial # and I'm sure we all have some low-numbered ones, but does it matter? Really matter?

Does it raise the value?
Are earlier #'s better sounding?
Is it just marketing hype?

What say you?

[Rob]

my gut tells me you can't count on the number on the jacket matching the record as it came off the press. I cornered Chad once about this I couldn't get a straight answer.

When you think about it, the first records off the press end up at the bottom of the pile. they handle these records as little as possible, stacks get moved around to different stations in random order where they get placed in jackets.

[Johnny Vinyl]

my gut tells me you can't count on the number on the jacket matching the record as it came off the press. I cornered Chad once about this I couldn't get a straight answer.

When you think about it, the first records off the press end up at the bottom of the pile. they handle these records as little as possible, stacks get moved around to different stations in random order where they get placed in jackets.

Good points! And I had heard that before about "matching".

[Rob]

and you're right, sellers will get more for a lower serial number. I just wont pay more for the privilege.

[mep]

The fresher the stamper, the LP could sound better. I don't think you would want the last LP that came off the stamper before it was worn out and they trashed it. So given a choice, I will go with the lower serial number even if the LP doesn't really match the serial number on the jacket. Hopefully it's in the neighborhood of the number (say within 20) and not hundreds different.

[MylesBAstor]

I guess my feeling is if I wanted the best get something in the 100s. Early is not necessarily the best as the press may need time for the temperature to stabilize (some pressing places will actually discard some early off the press). I certainly don't want the last off the press as the metal parts may have some wear on them by then.