I have finally purchased the Porky/Pecko cut of HOTH but I am still waiting for its arrival. I have already listened to both 1st US and UK RL pressings which are stellar so I'll see how they stand. I am a big fan of the Peckman sound as well so I am very excited for a showdown.
Hmmm. I'll have to check at my parents' house to see if I kept the CRC version. I know I purchased a used copy back in the '90s, but I can't remember if I ditched the CRC version. Just need to get around to getting a turntable to actually play them on!
Just wanted to share my latest acquisition here: A 1977 pressing of "Houses Of The Holy" with the "Sterling RL" imprint on deadwax and manufactured at Monarch Record Mfg. Co., Los Angeles, CA.
Did you compare the "Porky" with your "RL's"? How did you rate it? For me, the Porky is the best sounding Vinyl version. Not as much bass depth as the RL but everything just leaps out at you, its more revealing with more impact.
my "rl" on both sides isn't very clean but it plays like it is, kind of mind blowing for a $2 record how good it sounded despite my low expectations. It was meant to be a starter copy but I don't have any intentions of seeking out another copy soon, I'd recommend it without having anything else to compare it to (all my friends have the same cut)
I have a US RL Monarch, UK RL and UK Porky/Pecko and very happy with each one. I would like to know if anyone has compared the three pressings I mentioned with a German or Japanese pressing.
the best vinyl is the 45rpm from classic in the road box....good luck findng it but that is the answer to the thread question
I have two different copies of HOTH. One was cut by George Piros and the other by Robert Ludwig. Both copies were pressed by Monarch. In my opinion and also my listening ears, both are excellent choices. I haven't yet heard the Ludwig mastering of LZ II, but the George Piros version is awesome. All of my Monarch pressings are fantastic. I couln't find a bad one in the batch and I have around 60 different titles and artists.
I now have 3 RLs, doing a shootout between all of them. 1. My original beat-up double RL 1841 Broadway, -RI 2. My dad's cleaner double RL 75 Rockefeller, -RI, B and D sides with roman numerals, I and IIII respectively on each side. 3. A VG++ double RL Monarch with paper inner instead of cardstock and 38 on one deadwax with 39 on the other. 75 Rockefeller label. Thinking this is a much later pressing. They seem to be all about the same...1 and 2 are near equal with the slight edge going to 1, and I just can't shake the feeling that the Monarch seems a tiny bit subdued compared to the other two. Why do I have to prefer the noisy one? Has anyone noticed a real difference between 1841 and Rockefeller label copies? I love this mastering regardless.
Just looking for a place to post this...I recently got what must be a later German pressing of HOTH, but with Sterling/RL on both sides. It has A1/B1 matrices, but also has WEA stamped in deadwax. It has the thick printed inner sleeve. Vinyl is extremely quiet, and the sound is a knockout! I never knew this album sounded this good. I don't think I'll be buying the reissue...
I have this pressing as well. Glossy cover, right? Much, much better vinyl than the US Sterling RL pressing I have (I've been recommending this pressing for years for anyone wanting free advice). But what makes you think it "must be a later German pressing"? If anything, I'd think a later pressing wouldn't have the heavy inner sleeve.
I have an SD 19130 Rockafeller with ST-A-732783-EEE-l STERLING RL/ ST-A-732784-DDD-l-lllll STERLING RL in the deadwax. It was one of the keepers from a purge a while back (thankfully!).
Yes, glossy cover. I thought the "WEA" in the dead wax indicated "Warner Bros," which would make it later. But I admit I could be totally wrong about that. I agree about the cover -- I thought it was odd that the cover was so deluxe and the inner sleeve heavy, which would seem more in line with a first pressing. ???
I'm partial to my side-1 "RL" and side-2 "GP" hybrid. Piros does "No Quarter" better. I'd be interested if anyone else has come across this hybrid.
I hadn't thought of that. However... WEA is Warner Elektra Altlantic. Others can undoubtedly explain it better, but after Warner Communications bought Atlantic (in the late 60s, I believe) and Elektra (shortly after Atlantic was purchased), WEA was formed as a label conglomerate and distribution subsidiary of Warner Communications in the early 70s -- before HOTH's release in '73 I'm pretty sure.
I've just noticed that my RL on both sides (it also has AT in the matrices) says it's a Record Club of America recording (in tiny print). Where does that place it in the pantheon of good bad and bad masters/LP versions? I only just got it so yet to listen but it's in very good condition. Side 1 label has SD 7255 (ST-A-732783 PR) Side 2 label SD 7255 (ST-A-732784 PR) MFG. BY ATLANTIC RECORDING CORP., 1841 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, N.Y around the rim of the table Side 1 matrix 6 o'clock: PR upside down 3 o'clock: STERLING (stamped) RL 11 o'clock: ST-A-732783-C 8 o'clock: AT Side 2 matrix 6 o'clock: STERLING (stamped) RL, PR nearby upside down 11 o'clock: ST-A-732783 PR 8 o'clock: AT (Can anyone also tell me what the function of record club recordings is; are they any more or less valuable or different in mastering etc?)
Mine is the opposite of that: at/go side one, RL Sterling side two. I think both sides sound fantastic. I don't need an upgrade or second copy, but if people love the new lp, I may have to pick it up ...
