Does Twelve Inches Satisfy You?

Introduction

In the 1970s, the vinyl record industry faced a shortage due to the oil crisis of 1973, which led to increased costs for the raw materials used to produce vinyl records. This resulted in thinner, less durable records being produced and, in some cases, delays or cutbacks in new releases. The shortage also impacted the quality of records, with some labels opting for cheaper pressing materials to reduce costs.

The sadly missed Neil Innes documented it in his single "Recycled Vinyl Blues", which introduces this article.

You can find lots of articles about it on Google here.

So, Why Are Twelve-Inch Singles Desirable Items?

I always found it very odd that in the wake of the "vinyl crisis" that the first twelve-inch singles appeared on the market:

The first commercially released 12-inch single was "Ten Percent" by Double Exposure on Salsoul Records in mid-May 1976. While the 12-inch format was used for promotional purposes and DJ use before this, "Ten Percent" marked the first time a 12-inch single was widely available for public purchase. The 12-inch format was popular in discos because of the longer playing time, which allowed for extended dance mixes. It also offered better sound quality and was less susceptible to wear and scratches compared to 7-inch singles.

I did succumb, and I think the first one I bought was "Squeeze Box" by The Who. An OK song, but why the hell it was released in this format I will never know.

As has been stated, unlike digital recordings (that include CD and MP3, etc), the sound on vinyl is affected by the width of the grooves, so the more room the grooves have, the better and louder the sound.

In the seventies, lots of compilations ran to an hour in length, which meant that the sound became severely compromised, so if you ever see these second-hand, avoid them unless you have no other option.

When Jimmy Page produced the early Led Zeppelin albums, he ran the grooves as close to the centre as possible; to ensure the best possible sound.

Oddly, Todd Rundgren's "Initiation" ran to seventy minutes over two sides with the recommendation that you use a brand new diamond needle to play it. His album "Todd" only ran for sixty minutes and spanned two discs (four sides of vinyl).

I have included a small selection of my twelve-inch singles, and two of them I also have on seven-inch vinyl.

The thing is that twelve-inch vinyl copies can sound much more powerful and well-defined than other vinyl forms and don't have that clinical sound of digital formats, although the digital formats are wonderfully convenient.

Sometimes they are good for visual effects as well, I found this video for the Pendulum EP that I showed you.

"Blue Monday" by New Order, I believe, is the biggest-selling 12" vinyl single ever, and because it was packaged like a floppy computer disc with cutouts, it cost more to produce than it sold for (typical Factory Records marketing). I picked up a copy for a bargain £4.99 from Vinyl Villains or Elvis Shakespeare in Edinburgh.

I picked up a copy of "Infinity" by Guru Josh from RPM in Newcastle on 7" vinyl, and then when I was in Action Records in Preston, they had a 12" copy, so I had to get a copy of that.

They are both in the lead image.

Conclusion

Twelve-inch vinyl allows for better sound and extended versions of songs that would lose presence on a seven-inch single.

I do have the option to buy music in any form I want, and it is likely there will be more twelve-inchers coming into our house.

Thank you for reading and listening.