New Plating Development - GrooveCoated Stampers

[gottagroovematt]

I thought some folks here might be interested in this new type of stamper we are using at Gotta Groove -- they are called GrooveCoated stampers, and we are really excited about them. In an admittedly oversimplified description of it, we use a special coating on the face of the stamper which strengthens and extends the stamper life. In most cases, twice the number of records ordinarily produced from a single set of stampers can be made from GrooveCoated stampers.

You can read in more detail about them here:
https://www.gottagrooverecords.com/process/groovecoated-stampers/

We would be very interested on feedback from the community on the records we produce from these stampers, so please feel free to reach out to us.

[emorritt]

Chrome? That was the final step for 78 stampers made by RCA Victor in the 1940s, in order to make them last longer. Or, as Milton Cross put it, "it receives another coat, this time of hard, gleaming chromium"

[Aussie0zborn]

We were chrome plating the B side stamper in 1991. Easier release and allows the pressing to always come out on the top mould when using semi auto presses. But just a quick flash plating of chrome, otherwise you are masking the audio.

[emorritt]

Yes, Leopold Stokowski also accused Victor's processing department of "buffing the highs off the record" as well.

[Aussie0zborn]

That means they were polishing the crap out of the mothers. Polishing mothers helps if you have a "horn" problem. Stampers made from polished mothers also allow easier release of the pressing from the stamper. The polishing process does affect the high frequencies if done too vigorously.

It's up to the cutting guys and gals to make clean cuts with minimal horns.