The HMV Archive Series

[MrRom92]

Being from the other side of the pond, I do not often see any HMV pressings. So I am only just learning about the infamous “HMV crackle”… what a shame. But otherwise, what a fantastic idea for the archive series. I am glad something like this existed. And years before Historic Masters! Too bad they didn’t just use vinyl for these pressings instead of shellac.

I just got Studenti, Udite, one of Caruso’s first recordings, on the “VA” archive series pressing. Is this actually pressed from the original 1902 matrices? It actually has a leadout spiral, which I’m not sure how they could have cleanly added after the fact.

[MrRom92]

The Ponselle Luna d'estate on VA, too.

The Caruso Germania sides from his first 1902 session I have on a red DA issue, but, IIRC, one or both sides is a dubbing. I wonder if the Archive pressings are too.

This is what I am wondering as well, due to the presence of a leadout spiral. In the Nauck’s catalog this is listed as being pressed from the original matrix.

[Inigo]

They were pressed from original matrixes, started in 1951, for American collectors.
The matrixes were polished and eccentric grooves added, moulded matrix numbers, and old ridges removed in the old metal parts update started near 1924...?

[shoshani]

I just got Studenti, Udite, one of Caruso’s first recordings, on the “VA” archive series pressing. Is this actually pressed from the original 1902 matrices? It actually has a leadout spiral, which I’m not sure how they could have cleanly added after the fact.

The Hannover plant's pressings often did have a leadout spiral, but it was very "quick" - something like half a revolution. I'm presuming this was added to the mothers or stampers, because other Gramophone Company plants in Europe often lacked those, as did the Victor issues in the US made from imported matrices.

However, some of the Archive series pressings are dubbed, possibly to adjust the flat frequency curve to the more modern reproductive curves of contemporary playback equipment. It's easy to tell, because the record itself starts out comparatively quiet and then a noticeable level of hiss comes in.

[MrRom92]

They were pressed from original matrixes, started in 1951, for American collectors.
The matrixes were polished and eccentric grooves added, moulded matrix numbers, and old ridges removed in the old metal parts update started near 1924...?

I just got Studenti, Udite, one of Caruso’s first recordings, on the “VA” archive series pressing. Is this actually pressed from the original 1902 matrices? It actually has a leadout spiral, which I’m not sure how they could have cleanly added after the fact.

The Hannover plant's pressings often did have a leadout spiral, but it was very "quick" - something like half a revolution. I'm presuming this was added to the mothers or stampers, because other Gramophone Company plants in Europe often lacked those, as did the Victor issues in the US made from imported matrices.

However, some of the Archive series pressings are dubbed, possibly to adjust the flat frequency curve to the more modern reproductive curves of contemporary playback equipment. It's easy to tell, because the record itself starts out comparatively quiet and then a noticeable level of hiss comes in.

I have seen those extreme short leadout grooves on discs before, they are usually very thick and look as though they were carved in with a chisel, or something to that effect. However this one looks like one more conventionally added on a lathe as if it were part of the original cut, and takes up a good portion of the disc as well, about 5 revolutions

If a leadout like this was added after the fact, I did not know this was possible, if it is in fact possible I’m definitely not sure how the process would even be executed! But it is an interesting practice nonetheless.


I’m going to have a closer listen to the lead in and leadout and see if I can detect any surface noise that is recorded vs. inherently part of the pressed disc itself

[Orchorsol]

The Hannover plant's pressings often did have a leadout spiral, but it was very "quick" - something like half a revolution. I'm presuming this was added to the mothers or stampers, because other Gramophone Company plants in Europe often lacked those, as did the Victor issues in the US made from imported matrices.

I have always wondered why they did that. It seems a violent and ruinous idea.

[epigramophone]

I have always wondered why they did that. It seems a violent and ruinous idea.

I also wonder why they did that, given that few machines had an autobrake at such an early date.
This feature is commonly found on German pressings, notably Odeon. If the soundbox is not lifted before it reaches the abrupt run out groove, it can sometimes be hurled across the label with adverse consequences to both label and soundbox.

[emgcr]

Perhaps fit a spring-loaded tonearm stop ? These are very easy to use and have saved many of my soundbox diaphragms from destruction, particularly when playing early discs with poor or non-existent run-out grooves, although many later recordings can also prove problematic in an unexpected way. I have one or two left.

[CarlosV]

[If the soundbox is not lifted before it reaches the abrupt run out groove, it can sometimes be hurled across the label with adverse consequences to both label and soundbox.

I had that experience with the killer groove a couple of times. Now I play these records with a cap on the label. I utilize one originally made for a cleaning machine - see photo - but record weights for LPs can also be used. It acts as a barrier to prevent the soundbox from flying away.

[MrRom92]

Under closer inspection, I am very certain the Caruso disc is pressed from the original metal parts.

Neither side has a lead-in groove, and where the lead-out begins there is a slight “rippling” that can be seen in the light, as if there were a deformation in the metal, and however neatly the leadout groove is added there is a very slight transition between the end of the recorded groove and the leadout. You can also hear a big thump as the stylus reaches this transition point.


The pressing itself actually seems to be fairly quiet, whatever surface hiss there is seems to have been inherent to the original metal part. It gets noticeably quieter in the leadout area.

In any case, I am so glad this exists. I never expected to have a copy of this record that plays this cleanly, for this cheap. It’s as good or better than a 1902 G&T pressing IMO. Thrilled to have gotten this record!