[Vintage-Audio] Re Pirate Album Replications?

[Robert Nickels]

Duane Fischer, W8DBF wrote:
> Question: But no paper liner that the album slides into? Maybe I just 
> never got lucky and bought one without it! Was it ever normal to sell 
> albums without the paper jacket?
>
Hi Duane,

I guess I have never seen a new LP that didn't have a paper sleeve.   
Although I remember hearing even in the mid-70s about how the paper 
would degrade and ruin your records,  and replaced some with plastic 
sleeves, I don't recall seeing plastic ones used on new LPs either.

Duane's original question prompted me to wonder - how much, if any 
control did the recording artist have over the actual physical 
product?   For example, as early as 1964 there was a pretty consistent 
negative view of RCAs "Dynagroove" process, but they kept on using it 
until the late 1970s.  Other companies were using a high percentage of 
"reground" plastic rather than virgin vinyl.    I've never read a record 
contract, but I wonder if the artist had any "say so" in this or whether 
the record manufacturer had total control over the vinyl material and 
process, even if it did affect the quality of the product.

73, Bob W9RAN