Best vinyl pressing of Neil Young's "Zuma"?

I have "Zuma" on CD and love both the music and sound quality, but I'm wondering if there's a vinyl pressing that tops it. If not, I'll stick with the CD. If there is, I'm curious to hear everyone's recommendations.

I didn't find much after having done a search through Zuma-related threads (except that everyone agrees it's one of Neil's best and that the CD sounds very good). Please feel free to point me to the right thread though if this has already been discussed.

Thanks!

 

I have a recent pressing I just found (US Reprise) made at the end of WB's vinyl distro. I thought the whole record sounded amazing.

But I don't have an original pressing to compare.... Looks like they used the older Capitol mothers, in PA:

MS2242(31966-1) MS-1-2242 WB SP1-1
MS-2-2242 WW2 SP 1-1

 

I have a German pressing that sounds amazing, but I think this is just another great sounding NY album no matter what pressing you get. And of course, the music is as good as it gets. Just a fantastic album.

 

Agreed but it's due for a remastering..

 

Mine is a copy pressed at Capitol Hollywood (due to the "*" stamp)

It's on pretty thick vinyl for the era

LABEL: TAN REPRISE, with steamboat and an orange “:r”. Has “3300 Warner Blvd.” address, and stylish “W” logo. Has recessed “45” circle around spindle hole.

STAMPERS:
A: (in script) MS 2242 (31966-1) 1-W-1• (sideways 3) (Capitol Hollywood pressing plant * )
B: (in script) MS 2242 (31966-1) 2-W-1• (sideways 3) (Capitol Hollywood pressing plant *)

 

My "still in shrink" Zuma matrix bought by yours truly in 1976 ...
SIDE 1: MS 2242 31966 1H
SIDE 2: MS 2242 31967 1H

 

My ringworn Zuma matrix bought by yours truly in 1996 ...
SIDE 1: MS 2242 31966 1E
SIDE 2: MS 2242 31967 1E




Always sounded nice to me.

 

The world of matrix numbers is a complete mystery to me (sorry!).

But as Zuma is my favorite Neil Young album, and one of my favorite albums of all time by anybody, I'll play along in this case.

Mine is a promo copy, purloined from radio station stock. While "PROMOTION" and "NOT FOR SALE" are prominent on the label, the label is still the standard Reprise brownish orange rather than white. (Again, pardon my ignorance if this was standard for the day.)


Matrix numbers:

MS 2242 31966-1A
MS 2242 31967-1B

 

Mine's a German too and I'm very happy with it.

 

I had a chance in 1976 to buy a test pressing of this album in a used record store. It was in a plain white cardboard cover with "Zuma - Neil Young" stamped on it in black ink. The label was white and handwritten - no track list on cover or label.

The price was $5.99. Like a dumb *** I didn't buy it.

 

I have a German reissue that sounds great, but my best sounding copy is a Reprise US original with textured cover (1C/1E lacquers).

 

I'm at work now and don't have access to the LP matrix numbers, but I have the original Reprise LP with the textured cover and lyric insert that sounds excellent.



Ed Hurdle
HeavyDistortion

 

I have the original US pressing and the recent German reissue that still available to buy and there's no comparison the original is way better.
I also compared the currently available zuma cd to the German vinyl reissue and i.m.o the cd sounds much better, in fact the cd is one of the best sounding cd's in my collection, there's no need whatsoever to remaster it, it compares favorably to the original LP.

 

Mine is also still in shrink from back in the day. Still sounds amazing, even after being played on every stereo I have ever owned. It's amazing it survived my college years in tact. Many others didn't fair as well, like Rust Never Sleeps.

MS 2242 31966-1C
MS 2242 31967-1D

Looks like I payed $6.77 for it.

 

I also have a copy from when it was originally released and it is truly reference quality.

 

My UK pressing has MS-2242 31966 on side 1 but nothing side 2, very odd... Sounds great though, spin it as a treat occasionally as I have no issues with the CD.

 

I've got a -1H/-1G pressing i found a couple of months ago for $4; sounds great.

later, chris

 

I have one with the Matrix numbers:

MS 2242 31966-1A
MS 2242 31966-1B

Better than the CD (IMO), although the CD is still very good.

 

I reccomend the early 1-letter series.


It sounds awesome. Well recorded, well cut.
Listening to Cortez on a tube rig is heaven.

I have the promo copy. I found mine for a great price.

I'll have to look amd see if I have an extra for the marketplace.

C

 

I just looked at my original "Zuma" LP and it has -H on both sides. It sounds wonderful, but now the search will begin to find a copy with lower stampers.


Ed Hurdle
HeavyDistortion

 

My Canadian copy purchased new back in the day (textured matte cover, custom inner sleeve and lyric insert) has -1 after the catalogue number on both sides as well as TLC-T denoting that it was mastered at The Lacquer Channel in Toronto. Sounds nice!

Cheers,
Chris

 

This album was mastered by George Horn.

Not to threadcrap but the CD of this is not too shabby.

 

hello, my copyof ZUMA reads:

MS-1-2242 JW2 (handwritten *2)
MS-2-2242 JW2 (handwritten *1)

anybody know how early this one is ..or not? TIA