Has anyone else here experienced this?

It seems like every 8th or 9th new pressing I buy is warped right out of the package. This has happened w/LP's from eBay, a record store in Atlanta I won't name, and, most recently, from another un-named party who was a vendor at the record show I recently attended.

The Ramones - Pleasant Dreams - eBay - Warped

White Stripes - Elephant - Atlanta Record Store - Warped

Jimi Hendrix - New 2 LP Hits Album - Atlanta Record Show Vendor - Warped

My friend thinks it has something to do with gatefold packaging and shrink wrap applied too tightly. He thinks this presses the excess cardboard into the vinyl and warps it on the inner edge next to the spine. We both bought a copy of that Hendrix album - with consecutive serial numbers - both warped...

Am I the only one dropping dough on NEW warped vinyl? :gigglemad

Nope. I bought Siamese Dream on eBay, and recieved a badly warped copy, almost unplayable. Seller would not guaruntee replacement, so I burned his feedback and chalked it up to experience. FWIW, I have found that higher weight vinyl is your best shot. 160 gram plus. I have had great experience with soundstagedirect.com

You may be right about the weight.

At the record show, my pal got Dire Straits Brothers in Arms 1/2 Speed Mastered by Stan Ricker on High Performance 180 Gram Vinyl and Led Zeppelin Physical Graffitti on 200 gram quiex sv-p (super vinyl profile) and they played fine (and sounded great BTW).

You could look at those album covers and tell the shrink wrap wasn't put on too tight, you couldn't see the circular impression of the vinyl popping through the cover - no warpage. :no:

When I used to buy RCA LPs back in their Dynaflex days some would be warped (heavy lip waver) right off the presses. Of course back then you could take it back into the record store and exchange it for another warped copy.

Weight is the word.

Hell, the copy of Bob Dylan's "Freewheelin'" I bought sounds AWFUL! It is 180 gram and warped as well. First tracks on either side sound like they are covered in static. It is just a constant popping coming through, mainly the left channel. It is really disappointing to spend ~$20 on new vinyl only to have used vinyl at $3 a pop sounding more consistent and good. Plus the first songs on either side are likely my favorite Dylan songs.

You are definately not alone. I have bought new LPs and get a warped one once in awhile. They play OK, but it looks terrible. And I have to agree on the weight theory, I haven't had any 180 or 200 gram LPs warped out of the package come to think of it.

... It is 180 gram and warped as well.

So much for the theory! :sigh:

Yes, though the jury is still out as to whether or not the popping has to do with the left channel or the vinyl (other LPs seem to have the same problem at times, though not as badly as this one). Could the fact that it is mono have something to do with this?

Colin

So much for the theory! :sigh:

Vinyl warp can be caused by heat, poor storage and other reasons. But light, flexible vinyl is often prone to warpage right out of the gate. It's gone beyond theory.

Bought a 180g AC/DC Back in Black from soundstagedirect, it was warped right out of the package. Seth had me send it back, and replaced it pronto with a nice flat copy.

It happens, and that's why I like dealing with a company that cares about it's customers! :thmbsp:

I've recently purchased 2 new 180g albums from an online source and BOTH of them arrived warped. The spindle holes were enlarged and not concentric, and one of them was so bad it wouldn't track at all. I think the QC on these new "audiophile 180g pressings" is a joke. <rant off> :smoke:

Has anyone else here experienced this?

It seems like every 8th or 9th new pressing I buy is warped right out of the package. This has happened w/LP's from eBay, a record store in Atlanta I won't name, and, most recently, from another un-named party who was a vendor at the record show I recently attended.



Herbman:

Whew! Glad I wasn't the unnamed vendor at the record show. I'm already on your list about name tags. :D

The dealer you bought those LP's from is a regular at the show. I'm sure he will "make it right" if you return them.

Terry

Terry,

You would never bring forth my wrath. You are a man of impeccable morals and unimpeachable integrity.

The Steely Dan albums I got from you at the show play and sound perfect, as do the LP's you sold me at the Dixie AK fest.

Next time I go down to the show, I am going to root through all the less expensive used stuff first, instead of blowing my $ on new warped titles as soon as I walk through the door.

Guess i have been much luckier then most since I usually only buy new LP's. I will say that if you buy any new record from Soundstagedirct.com that Seth will stand behind it and do the right thing. Give him a chance and bet you end up happy :)

I thought I'd lucked out recently when I found a mid -late 70's pressing of the James Gang Live. Corner cut, but sealed. At the Salvation Army! Got it home, opened it (memories..) and discovered that not only was it warped, but pressed off-center as well. Thing is, it took a minute to realize it--I'm thinking 'God, these guys SUCK live' and looked down at the label. "Oh, wait..@#%! you gotta be kidding me..!"
Dan

happens to me too, but luckily my seller will exchange or refund it. fyi) my copy of the WHITE STRIPES - ELEPHANT was absolutely horrible, i don't know if it is due to the colored vinyl or what, but it was really really bad too.

Just bought 3 double LP's from MusicDirect:

Dead Meadow - Shivering King, 150 grams - both discs warped, first track on both sides of disc one skip, disc 2 warped but doesn't skip.

Dead Meadow - Feathers, 150 grams - both discs warped but don't skip with Shure M97xe brush down.

Flaming Lips - Telepathic Surgery, blue vinyl - no warps

To me vinyl is a crapshoot.