Japanese obi strips used to be ripped off and thrown away! (some history)

[Turboellis]

This flipped my lid when I was told about it by a serious Japanese digging friend.

Some of you may have heard this, but the whole obi thing came from the Japanese book world, apparently.

The obi on a book was a way of knowing how many copies had been sold. When the buyer bought the book, the obi was removed and used for stock taking porpoises.

That also used to happen with rekkids apparently ...

When I heard that it kinda freaked me out ... after all, it's that weird pierce of paper that makes Japanese releases interesting for a lot of people (or do I mean valuable, a piece of fucking paper), and the fact that Japanese pressings have the reputation of being carefully pressed ...

In Japan, if the obi is missing these days, a music lover will be able to pick up a quality pressing in excellent condition (trashed records are pretty rare, but I've got all of them) for a very reasonable price ...

That's my 5 yen for tonight ...

[Shere Khan]

In Japan, if the obi is missing these days, a music lover will be able to pick up a quality pressing in excellent condition (trashed records are pretty rare, but I've got all of them) for a very reasonable price ...

I never play the obi so I'd love to be in Japan picking up bargain records.

[Turboellis]

I never play the obi so I'd love to be in Japan picking up bargain records.

Watch out. That kind of heretical talk can land you in the clink over here ...

[The Divine One]

Watch out. That kind of heretical talk can land you in the clink over here ...

Sort of related, but not really. But I meant to ask my learned colleagues opinions on... those Japanese cellophane covers on LPs and 45s.

There's something about the crinkliness of the poly sleeves that I really don't like for no rational reason. Actually, it's the self-sealing ones I really hate. I'm always on the verge of binning them and using a "domestic" poly sleeve, but always stop myself thinking I'm messing with the original product. Thoughts? ("you're a sad, uptight man who should find some real problems to worry about" - there, I've done the first one for you...)

[amidar]

Don't worry I once watched a 25 minute YouTube video of a man talking about said sleeves. I'm in the 'I just want to get the record out as quick as possible camp' YouTube man loved them in fact he seemed more in love with taking care of his collection than listening to it.

[emperor tomato ketchup]

Don't worry I once watched a 25 minute YouTube video of a man talking about said sleeves. I'm in the 'I just want to get the record out as quick as possible camp' YouTube man loved them in fact he seemed more in love with taking care of his collection than listening to it.

Why no link to this learned gentleman's musings? For shame.

[emperor tomato ketchup]

Don't worry I once watched a 25 minute YouTube video of a man talking about said sleeves. I'm in the 'I just want to get the record out as quick as possible camp' YouTube man loved them in fact he seemed more in love with taking care of his collection than listening to it.

Why no link to this learned gentleman's musings? For shame.

[amidar]

Haha, I'll see if I can find him when I get a minute, twas over a year ago when I watched the fella

Why no link to this learned gentleman's musings? For shame.

[RhubarbRhubarb]

I hate those self-sealing sleeves. They are awkward and I always think they'll stick on the sleeve and rip it. I chuck them. I don't see the appeal of Obis either, would chuck them if I ever got a record with one on.

[moecurlythanu]

If the Obi is missing on the record or CD, I probably won't buy it.

[Turboellis]

If the Obi is missing on the record or CD, I probably won't buy it.

yes, because it makes the music sound different, doesn't it?

[moecurlythanu]

yes, because it makes the music sound different, doesn't it?

Not at all. But it's incomplete. Why should I buy an incomplete copy when waiting will inevitably turn up a complete one?

You do what works for you, and I'll do what works for me. So far, I'm happy with the results. Hopefully you are too.

[Turboellis]

Not at all. But it's incomplete. Why should I buy an incomplete copy when waiting will inevitably turn up a complete one?

You do what works for you, and I'll do what works for me. So far, I'm happy with the results. Hopefully you are too.

It's thanks to obi maniacs that I'm able to pick up LPs in fantastic condition with no obi for considerably less, so I'm more than happy with the situation.

[Cacapo]

Sort of related, but not really. But I meant to ask my learned colleagues opinions on... those Japanese cellophane covers on LPs and 45s.

There's something about the crinkliness of the poly sleeves that I really don't like for no rational reason. Actually, it's the self-sealing ones I really hate. I'm always on the verge of binning them and using a "domestic" poly sleeve, but always stop myself thinking I'm messing with the original product. Thoughts? ("you're a sad, uptight man who should find some real problems to worry about" - there, I've done the first one for you...)

There is a shop in berlin that specializes in Japanese import. Apparently the thinner flimsy inner sleeves are supposed to generate you more room in a tightly packed record shelf. About 5 per xubit.

[Paul-K]

I like that you can get them cheaper without a bit of paper. I remove all plastic sleeves. I give them to my mate who loves them.

the long cover stickers you used to get on finders keepers releases I used to peel off and stick to the inner sleeve though. I thought they might be worth less if that was missing. collectors are strange