Rare-record guide

Warped Records and Flattening Risk

Heat damage, dish warps, edge warps and risky repair methods.

Rare vinyl combines music history, manufacturing evidence, condition and collector demand. A useful conclusion should be traceable to identifiers on the physical release.

1. Do not use household ovens

Do not use household ovens should be evaluated against the exact release, country, format, label, catalog number, matrix/runout, packaging and condition. Preserve the physical evidence and avoid replacing identification with seller shorthand.

2. Document before treatment

Document before treatment should be evaluated against the exact release, country, format, label, catalog number, matrix/runout, packaging and condition. Preserve the physical evidence and avoid replacing identification with seller shorthand.

3. Some flattening can damage grooves

Some flattening can damage grooves should be evaluated against the exact release, country, format, label, catalog number, matrix/runout, packaging and condition. Preserve the physical evidence and avoid replacing identification with seller shorthand.

4. Seek specialists for valuable copies

Seek specialists for valuable copies should be evaluated against the exact release, country, format, label, catalog number, matrix/runout, packaging and condition. Preserve the physical evidence and avoid replacing identification with seller shorthand.

Identification rule: Do not call a record a first pressing, promo, test pressing or rare variant until the physical evidence supports the claim.

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