The Manufacturing Process
This section presents very shortly the manufacturing process at Decca. The presentation is largely based on information that I received from Mr George Bettyes who worked at Decca studios in the 60’s. He was one of the engineers who did the cutting of grooves into laquer discs.
Updated Mar 31, 2022
Markings on DECCA "dead vinyl" area
This section presents the logic behind all the off groove markings on the vinyl. The numbers gives you a lot of information related to the manufacturing process and can also give an indication on the time of pressing of the vinyl. Again much of the information comes direct from the Decca Sound Studios and Mr George Bettyes.
Updated Dec 30, 2023
Basic DECCA Information
This section presents some basic data on labels used during the 60’s and 70’s at Decca. What is a non-boxed and a boxed label? What is a grooved label and a non-grooved label? There are a few basic things you need to know about Decca LP’s before you can get into identifying your own LP’s.
Updated Dec 30, 2023
DECCA Label Design
There are so many changes done to the label design during the roughly 20 years that Decca was pressing Rolling Stones record. I have tried to create some kind of catalog system to identify main types ( design) of labels that would then have a number of version. The numbering system helps in identifying the labels but is in no way a perfect way of documenting them.
Updated Jul 17, 2022
DECCA inner bags
Inner bags has never been regarded as an important item of the LP. So many swaps of inner bags has taken place during its lifetime. This page gives you an idea on which type of inner bag the LP had when delivered from the pressing plant.
Updated Mar 2, 2024
Basic London information
This section presents basic information on London labels that were used for export LP’s pressed at Decca plant in UK.
Updated Jul 20, 2022
London label design
This Page identifies different designs used for London export labels at Decca.
Updated Apr 6, 2022
London Records Inner bags
Decca used the same design on all bags for mid 60’s LP’s exported to USA as well as for late 60’s LP’s exported to Japan.
Updated Jul 9, 2022
Foreign pressings with UK label
An interesting deviation from the standard UK albums are presented on this page. LP’s with UK Decca labels has been found with Belgian Matrix numbers in the off groove area.
Updated Jul 17, 2022
Foreign pressings with UK made stampers
Decca was exporting record stampers to many countries around the world. Here are a few examples of foreign pressing made with UK Decca made stampers.
Updated Aug 1, 2024
DECCA logos covered up
Decca shipped some unsold LP’s and singles to USA in the end of 60’s. Decca logos could not be used on disc being sold in USA as there already was a company by the name Decca in USA
Updated Aug 16, 2024
DECCA Test pressings
Test pressings is a very difficult section to get into. So many fakes are on the market and it is very difficult to tell fakes from originals. I will not go into too much of details here as I do not want to feed the counterfeiters with too much of information….. Only basic info on what kind of test pressings that are existing.
Updated Jul 17, 2022