Fleetwood Mac Rumors sound quality

Posted by: JeremyB on 01 November 2008

I fancied hearing a bit of good old 70s rock today and remembering I am missing a few classic vinyls stopped off at the record barn to pick up Rumors, Rising and ELP.

I noticed there was a few different version of Rumors, I got the one with cream label with the WB emblem, thinking this is the closest to the original. However I am disappointed with the sound quality, it's not quite how I remember it.

Anyone noticed this - are there any better versions without resorting to CD remasters etc?
It's a little better now that I turned up the volume but still Frown
Posted on: 01 November 2008 by Lontano
Coming soon on vinyl - Hoffman remastered - it's going to be good.

http://store.acousticsounds.com/browse_detail.cfm?Title_ID=38988

Nineteen times platinum in the U.S. alone, Rumours is one of the best-selling albums of all time. Includes the hits "Dreams," "Go Your Own Way" and "You Make Loving Fun." All original artwork and packaging. This record was exceptionally recorded to begin with, and now with a remastering job from the original analog masters by the team of Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman at AcousTech Mastering - look out!! This becomes one hot reissue!

Mastered from the original analog tapes.
Posted on: 01 November 2008 by JeremyB
Brilliant, thanks Lontano. Duly pre-ordered. A friend told me this week Acoustech are the only reissue label currently cutting the master with an analog preview head.
Posted on: 02 November 2008 by jim learoyd
I have a 1st pressing of "Rumours" and it sounds fantastic.
Does anyone know the actual release date for this Lp? It has really has been a long time coming.


jim....
Posted on: 02 November 2008 by JeremyB
Hi Jim,
That's exactly what I would have expected - how do I identify the 1st pressing - what does the label look like for example?

Thanks
Jeremy
Posted on: 02 November 2008 by teabelly
It might just be dirty. Have you got a wet record cleaner? One thing I remember about WB cds is that they always sound 'quiet' as they seem to allow for massive dynamic range changes so I find they usually need turning up more than other labels. I would think the vinyl is the same. EMI also seemed to do this.
Posted on: 02 November 2008 by JeremyB
quote:
It might just be dirty. Have you got a wet record cleaner?

Actually I think that is the likely problem, it sounds like it has been cleaned. Dull and lacking sparkle. I just didn't want to open that topic again.
Posted on: 06 November 2008 by jim learoyd
quote:
Originally posted by JeremyB:
Hi Jim,
That's exactly what I would have expected - how do I identify the 1st pressing - what does the label look like for example?

Thanks
Jeremy


Jeremy

Apologies for the delay in reply. The first thing for this Lp is the catalogue no, it should be K56344 and on WB (Palm Trees Label). Also MORE important is in the 'deadwax', this should say K56344 A1 for side 1 and A2 for side 2. Also in caps "MASTERED BY CAPITAL". This is the info for a 1st pressing for the UK only release, I don't know what the USA pressings will be.

Believe me though the 1st pressings sound fantastic!
BTW I'm thinking of buying the 'Hoffman' mastered version when it's released but it will have to go some to beat my copy. Hope this helps.

jim....
Posted on: 06 November 2008 by JeremyB
Thanks Jim just what I was looking for, will go back on Saturday or wait until I am, next in UK.
Posted on: 06 November 2008 by ewemon
quote:
Originally posted by jim learoyd:
quote:
Originally posted by JeremyB:
Hi Jim,
That's exactly what I would have expected - how do I identify the 1st pressing - what does the label look like for example?

Thanks
Jeremy


Jeremy

Apologies for the delay in reply. The first thing for this Lp is the catalogue no, it should be K56344 and on WB (Palm Trees Label). Also MORE important is in the 'deadwax', this should say K56344 A1 for side 1 and A2 for side 2. Also in caps "MASTERED BY CAPITAL". This is the info for a 1st pressing for the UK only release, I don't know what the USA pressings will be.

Believe me though the 1st pressings sound fantastic!
BTW I'm thinking of buying the 'Hoffman' mastered version when it's released but it will have to go some to beat my copy. Hope this helps.

jim....


I received an engraved mirror from Fleetwood Mac, that's sadly got broken in a move, for selling so many copies of that disc.

Think there was only 50 in the country.

The catalogue number has stuck in my mind all these years.
Posted on: 07 November 2008 by count.d
quote:
Coming soon on vinyl - Hoffman remastered - it's going to be good


Although I've had this on order for a year, I don't expect a guarantee to sound good.

I've found the USA pressing with the Burbank Palm Trees label, "Mastered By Capitol" in the deadwax, to have a lively dynamic range. My stamper is F9/F17 and a fairly early pressing judging by the "contains the single - Go Your Own Way" sticker on the outside.

The SuperDisc pressing sounds detailed, but less lively.
Posted on: 07 November 2008 by BigH47
One of my copies says K56344 A1, STRAWBERRY and W14KD. Other side K56344 B, Allen and W2KD an ideas what that means?
Posted on: 07 November 2008 by JeremyB
quote:
The SuperDisc pressing sounds detailed, but less lively.

Sounds like a drag
Posted on: 08 November 2008 by JeremyB
Ok, finally got the Palm Trees label Mastered by Capitol BSK3010 (catalog number in the US). Ah yes. Completely different from the plain label BSK1-3010 that is missing Mastered by Capitol in deadwax. Maybe that is an attrocious digital master but it didn't really sound like one. The one I got today has lovely sound. Mint copies are in the $1 bins over here, don't even make it to the main bins. Unbelievable.

Thanks for the help,
Jeremy