Acetates

[treeboy]

So I watched the Factory Path through the forest 45 go through the roof on ebay a couple of weeks back
http://www.popsike.com/The-Factory-P...703243855.html

And less than a fortnight later this went for a whole lot less
http://www.popsike.com/60s-Psych-Pop...363621431.html

I would have thought the acetate was a lot rarer than the actual 45. This obviously isn't reflected in the final prices....if the rarity is the issue that is. Maybe someone just got a bargain?

[Col Wolfe]

It may be rarer (if it is an original cut...) but it's not something you could play regularly.

[treeboy]

I've never got into buying acetates for that very reason. I like to play my records. I can see the excitement involved in having acetates of unreleased/unknown music, as flagged up in the finds thread last week, but even for big hitters like the Factory one, if its the same cut, seems like they are for completists only. Probably stating the obvious while thinking out loud

[folkishienne]

Acetates are 'Artifacts' arguably closer to the artist / band, may have different takes, be unreleased etc and when in nice condition sound better than vinyl *before they start to sound a lot worse). They appeal to people who want to release the recording and a certain type of collector.
For me they are the most exciting thing to find (But not necessarily keep), particularly if unreleased. In terms of digging, finding an 'unknown' is a thrill. The downside as Col pointed out is that they wear out and can suffer from 'bloom', bending, acetate lift and a heap of other condition issues which deteriorate the sound.

A few years ago I was lucky with another Regent sound acetate, see thread below:

http://www.verygoodplus.co.uk/showth...t=painted+rain

[treeboy]

I totally get the appeal in respect of that kind of find. Thanks for the link to the previous thread by the way. So from what you infer, I'm even more surprised the Factory acetate didn't go for more.
The Electric Sun track is great.

[folkishienne]

I totally get the appeal in respect of that kind of find. Thanks for the link to the previous thread by the way. So from what you infer, I'm even more surprised the Factory acetate didn't go for more.
The Electric Sun track is great.

Path through the forest has been well documented and comped a plenty so unless it was an alternate take, this rather precludes it from the market of individuals who might buy acetates to release it. In addition it was pressed both as a Demo and stock release which if you take the condition issues with acetates noted above shrinks the market further. Having looked at the link and the lack of provenance with the Factory acetate I can see why buyers may have shied away from this one.

[The Divine One]

I would have thought the acetate was a lot rarer than the actual 45. This obviously isn't reflected in the final prices....if the rarity is the issue that is. Maybe someone just got a bargain?

Part of the problem with acetates is that you can still make them, unless they have a "provenance" - there's plenty of old one-sided acetates which could easily have a track cut onto them and passed off as 60s originals.

I had a good haul about ten years ago where I bought about 100 unknowns, uncredited artists. Two of them turned out to be Cliff Richard ones, same as the studio versions but they started with a "1... 2.... 3 and a 4..." which ended up paying for the whole haul. Which was nice.

If I find an acetate in the wild I pretty much have to buy it. Unless it's a highland dancing record. And I usually end up buying them too...

[emperor tomato ketchup]

I have never knowingly seen an acetate in the wild here. So they seem exotic and rare to me.

The nearest I got was some sort of test pressing that seemed madly eclectic in terms of style. But also boring.