Re: Elvis vinyl related discussion

[Alexander72]

A while ago I got these two 'INTS pressing'. As far as I know, the only 'INTS' part is the fold-over sticker in the left upper corner. Apparently RCA UK took the leftover stock from 1977 and released them as INTS in 1981. So that makes the Loving You LP the fake stereo version. No mystery there...

What I am curious about is why they were re-released this way? Why not sell them, maybe at lower price, as RCA Victor releases?



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I've got the Roustabout SF relabeled as INTS. As you mentioned, it was common practice at RCA: old stock was relabeled with the new catalog number and resold. We saw this a few years earlier (1977) in the United States, where old stock was also relabeled during the transition to the AFL1 prefix.

So why not simply sell it as SF/PL? In 1981, RCA UK Ltd. introduced the green INTS labels as a budget label, so it made sense that they offered old stock at a lower price within this budget label.

Keep in mind that most 70s albums (such as Aloha From Hawaii, Today, From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Moody Blue, and In Concert) were still sold as premium products around that time, often with the premium price prefix PL, but From Elvis In Memphis, for example, was still sold under the old SF prefix. I think the relabeling was mainly related to implementing a consistent and recognizable pricing policy for resellers: INTS for budget and PL/SF for premium price.

[Bilbobaggins]

A while ago I got these two 'INTS pressing'. As far as I know, the only 'INTS' part is the fold-over sticker in the left upper corner. Apparently RCA UK took the leftover stock from 1977 and released them as INTS in 1981. So that makes the Loving You LP the fake stereo version. No mystery there...

What I am curious about is why they were re-released this way? Why not sell them, maybe at lower price, as RCA Victor releases?



1000015633.jpg

1000015632.jpg

1000015635.jpg

1000015634.jpg

I've got the Roustabout SF relabeled as INTS. As you mentioned, it was common practice at RCA: old stock was labeled with the new catalog number and sold. We saw this a few years earlier (1977) in the United States, where old stock was also relabeled during the transition to the AFL1 prefix.

So why not simply sell it as SF? In 1981, RCA UK Ltd. introduced the green INTS labels as a budget label, so it made sense that they offered old stock at a lower price within this budget brand.

Keep in mind that most 70s albums (such as Aloha From Hawaii, Today, From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Moody Blue, and In Concert) were still sold as premium products around that time, often with the premium price prefix PL, but From Elvis In Memphis, for example, was still sold under the old SF prefix. I think the relabeling was mainly related to implementing a consistent and recognizable pricing policy for resellers.

Thanks for your answer @Alexander72 . Your explanation makes sense. I would have chosen for a little bit more fancy sticker though... this sticker looks very cheap....

[Alexander72]

A while ago I got these two 'INTS pressing'. As far as I know, the only 'INTS' part is the fold-over sticker in the left upper corner. Apparently RCA UK took the leftover stock from 1977 and released them as INTS in 1981. So that makes the Loving You LP the fake stereo version. No mystery there...

What I am curious about is why they were re-released this way? Why not sell them, maybe at lower price, as RCA Victor releases?



1000015633.jpg

1000015632.jpg

1000015635.jpg

1000015634.jpg

I've got the Roustabout SF relabeled as INTS. As you mentioned, it was common practice at RCA: old stock was labeled with the new catalog number and sold. We saw this a few years earlier (1977) in the United States, where old stock was also relabeled during the transition to the AFL1 prefix.

So why not simply sell it as SF? In 1981, RCA UK Ltd. introduced the green INTS labels as a budget label, so it made sense that they offered old stock at a lower price within this budget brand.

Keep in mind that most 70s albums (such as Aloha From Hawaii, Today, From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Moody Blue, and In Concert) were still sold as premium products around that time, often with the premium price prefix PL, but From Elvis In Memphis, for example, was still sold under the old SF prefix. I think the relabeling was mainly related to implementing a consistent and recognizable pricing policy for resellers.

Thanks for your answer @Alexander72 . Your explanation makes sense. I would have chosen for a little bit more fancy sticker though... this sticker looks very cheap....

Talking about pricing strategy... so in 1981 INTS was the budget label. By 1983 alle production for Europe was centralized in Germany (Teldec/ Hamburg). Right before the 50th Anniversary campaign of 1985 RCA launched a new budget line, introducing the NL-prefix to distinguish these budget releases from the premium line and replacing INTS.

Most albums of the lifetime catalog were made available in the NL budget price line. New compilations and themed albums (Essential Elvis, The Memphis Record, Sun Sessions) and some 70s albums such as Aloha From Hawaii and Moody Blue were released in the premium price category with the PL prefix.

Moody Blue (PL 82428).jpg (85.21 KiB) Viewed 822 times

Moody Blue (1985) PL 82428

By 1988 Moody Blue was transfered to the budget line, so when collecting the European 80s catalog you can find the album with a PL (1985) as well as a NL prefix and a complete new number (1988).

Moody Blue (NL90252).jpg (87.61 KiB) Viewed 822 times

Moody Blue (1988) NL 90252

A handful of albums followed the same 'down grading' route.

[LesterB]

That black label silver ring pressing of Moody Blue above sounds very good IMO..

[LesterB]

Good question. Good question. I bought several FTD vinyls, including Hot August Night, and found the sound quality to be very poor. I expected a little more clarity in the treble and bass, but found the sound to be quite dull.

I don't know how FTD manages to make the sound quality of these vinyls inferior to CDs. In fact, they should have a higher reproduction range, in hertz, than CDs.

They can go higher in hertz than cd's, but if the records are cut from the cd's, it doesn't matter.
If they are cut from analogue tapes or high resolution files it's a different story.

It's impossible that these FTD vinyl titles are cut directly from the original tapes because Sony won't loan the tapes to other studios for the past 20 years. The only exception was Sterling Sound, when they were still located in New York.

Hi Claus, as you know there are a few good sounding FTD vinyls - the latest Californa Holiday is a good example. Do you think that its cut from a high resolution file rather than just the CD?

[ClausH]

Good question. Good question. I bought several FTD vinyls, including Hot August Night, and found the sound quality to be very poor. I expected a little more clarity in the treble and bass, but found the sound to be quite dull.

I don't know how FTD manages to make the sound quality of these vinyls inferior to CDs. In fact, they should have a higher reproduction range, in hertz, than CDs.

They can go higher in hertz than cd's, but if the records are cut from the cd's, it doesn't matter.
If they are cut from analogue tapes or high resolution files it's a different story.

It's impossible that these FTD vinyl titles are cut directly from the original tapes because Sony won't loan the tapes to other studios for the past 20 years. The only exception was Sterling Sound, when they were still located in New York.

Hi Claus, as you know there are a few good sounding FTD vinyls - the latest Californa Holiday is a good example. Do you think that its cut from a high resolution file rather than just the CD?

I don't know, but Barry Grint whom has worked on the newest titles is a great engineer and I think the mastering is the most important when it comes to cutting from digital to vinyl, unless the digital source is very compressed and there's nothing that the engineer can do to make it sound good.

[JohnnyByeBye]

I don't know, but Barry Grint whom has worked on the newest titles is a great engineer and I think the mastering is the most important when it comes to cutting from digital to vinyl, unless the digital source is very compressed and there's nothing that the engineer can do to make it sound good.

Yes,and to elaborate that even further: mastering is the only thing that can affect the sound between the readily mixed tapes / digital source and the finished analog or digital format.

[Alexander72]

It was about time: last weekend I found some time to record a new episode of Your Elvis Guide which will be premiering next Friday (December 5). In this video, I discuss the acquisitions that arrived in November 2025. For example, you'll see which rare reissue I found online at a record store in Hong Kong. Enjoy!

[ClausH]

I don't know, but Barry Grint whom has worked on the newest titles is a great engineer and I think the mastering is the most important when it comes to cutting from digital to vinyl, unless the digital source is very compressed and there's nothing that the engineer can do to make it sound good.

Yes,and to elaborate that even further: mastering is the only thing that can affect the sound between the readily mixed tapes / digital source and the finished analog or digital format.

With vinyl, the plating and pressing quality also plays a big part in the sound quality.

[JohnnyByeBye]

Today the postman brought a very nice suprise: the original German pressing of From Elvis In Memphis. This is the version with Bild Und Funk logo and a hype sticker on the cover.

I'be been wanting this since I saw it advertised on the back cover of my German copy of Gold Records vol. 4. What made this version of FEIM even more appealing to me was the back cover that a collector friend sent me a photo of. The back cover is mostly red,with a b/w shot from The rehearsals of the NBC TV Special,and liner notes in German. Looks beautiful! I am happy

[Sweet-Angeline]

What made this version of FEIM even more appealing to me was the back cover that a collector friend sent me a photo of. The back cover is mostly red,with a b/w shot from The rehearsals of the NBC TV Special,and liner notes i German. Looks beautiful! I am happy

...sure beats that VLV shot

[JohnnyByeBye]

...sure beats that VLV shot

Yeps,this presented the new look of Elvis much better,with sideburns and all.

[LesterB]

this is an excelleny sounding pressing - better than the Indianapolis pressing which i also have

https://ebay.us/m/xBIFan

[Bilbobaggins]

Today this nice re-issue/replica of the Japanese Christmas Album from 1957 arrived. The original is hard to find and very expensive (up to €5000 for a NM copy)... so this one will do just fine for me. I haven't opened it yet but I will give it a spin in the coming days. I think it is a beauty...


Yo Ho Ho!

[JohanD]

Today this nice re-issue/replica of the Japanese Christmas Album from 1957 arrived. The original is hard to find and very expensive (up to €5000 for a NM copy)... so this one will do just fine for me. I haven't opened it yet but I will give it a spin in the coming days. I think it is a beauty...


Yo Ho Ho!


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I plan to pick a copy of this tomorow, you can never have enough Elvis Christmas music!

[JohnnyByeBye]

Today this nice re-issue/replica of the Japanese Christmas Album from 1957 arrived. The original is hard to find and very expensive (up to €5000 for a NM copy)... so this one will do just fine for me. I haven't opened it yet but I will give it a spin in the coming days. I think it is

Looks beautiful! I think this was a better deal than spending 5000 for an original copy!

[Sweet-Angeline]

Today this nice re-issue/replica of the Japanese Christmas Album from 1957 arrived. The original is hard to find and very expensive (up to €5000 for a NM copy)... so this one will do just fine for me. I haven't opened it yet but I will give it a spin in the coming days. I think it is a beauty...

looks really nice...mine is on the way!!

[JohanD]

It was about time: last weekend I found some time to record a new episode of Your Elvis Guide which will be premiering next Friday (December 5). In this video, I discuss the acquisitions that arrived in November 2025. For example, you'll see which rare reissue I found online at a record store in Hong Kong. Enjoy!

Again, a fantastic informative video Alexander!

[JohnnyByeBye]

Again, a fantastic informative video Alexander!

Yes indeed! Thank you Alexander, the records you shared looked great,ranging from the Monaural pressings from 1964 to the Tan & AFL-1 pressings of the 70's. And the informational content first class, as always. Warmly recommended to everyone reading this thread.

I also liked the German S5 label pressings that you had obtained from the US of all countries. I take interest in the German pressings,I always liked them,perhaps because when I was young,they were the "old"/original records that you were able to spot now and then. Still have warm memories of that round logo on the upper right corner.

As far as suggestions go, I would be always interested to see /hear more about the German pressings and labels in general. Also a more off the cuff idea would be to know how a huge collection like yours is organised - how are you able to find any specific copy from your collection when you need to do that!

[elvis-fan]

Today this nice re-issue/replica of the Japanese Christmas Album from 1957 arrived. The original is hard to find and very expensive (up to €5000 for a NM copy)... so this one will do just fine for me. I haven't opened it yet but I will give it a spin in the coming days. I think it is a beauty...
Yo Ho Ho!

.
I left a post over on facebook about these new Japanese reissues (this one and Love Me Tender - of which I ordered both)...

You know it's great to see these new Japanese reissues. Instead of Sony having MOV reissue those cheap, coloured versions of Elvis' original LP's, it would serve them (Sony in the U.S.) well to reissue Elvis' catalog (on vinyl) as they were originally released... with decent cardboard sleeves, original inner sleeves and original labels with black vinyl for $30-35. I'm sure they wouldn't have any difficulty selling them out. At least it would peak the interest of more fans than those that simply will buy anything...