"notched" records....what's the story?

Nrchy sez: "Usually they were left over from overpressing LPs that ended up not selling for full price."

This is true, and I know Nrchy was not trying to say this, but it does not always mean that the record is the gazillionth one produced from the master and of poorer quality. I have heard some folks equate the two and it is just wrong.

I have many outstanding recording that are notched. In the case of classical, some jazz, some off-beat rock, and especially my favorite bluegrass scores lotd of titles were produced in relatively limited numbers for a limited market. So, depending on the title, label, and genre, they can be a heck of a bargain if the seller thinks they are in some way inferior.

Thanks, everyone....I've been jumping on "unopened, still-sealed" listings for LP's after several instances of buying "mint" used records of supposedly MFSL audiophile quality, that are 'scratchy' when played.

Aggressive cleaning (VPI machine w/RRL's fluids and felt brushes... "Last" "Groove-Glide"....nothing gets rid of the 'scratchiness' surface noise. These records look great w/ no obvious scratches on them!

Any other suggestions? I'll post this in a new thread, I guess...

I'll take a notched record album cover over a scratchy sounding record any day.

(Although, most of these still-sealed recordings have warped edges from improper storage.....can't win! ;(

I used to bandsaw those notches in boxes of K-Tel (disco?)records back in the summer of 1978. I'm sure I cut some up too.