Contribute

Contribute to ZappaFrenzy’s database

 

The ZappaFrenzy discography would never have grown so big if it wasn’t for all the contributions from collectors all over the world. Only official 45’s will be lister here. Bootlegs, unofficial or unauthorized releases will not get posted.

You need to have access to the single you send images and information about. Do not use images found on the internet.

ZappaFrenzy are only focusing on 7″, 10″, 12″, singles featuring Frank Zappa one way or the other.

I am not accepting CD singles, cassingles, acetates, related labels, related artists, etc. at the moment.

If you want to contribute, then please study the guide below before submitting pictures, runouts and other information.

 

 

7″ Images

 

The best way to make an image out of a 7″ single and picture/company sleeve is using a scanner. Scan the entire single and leave some space around the label. The same goes for the sleeves. Please see the examples below.

 

  1. Set your printer to at least 300dpi 
  2. Labels and sleeves must be scanned separately
  3. You must send images of both a and b-sides
  4. You must send images of both sides of the picture/company sleeve
  5. If it has an insert, include it
  6. The spindle hole must have a white background
  7. Do not crop. Send an image of the entire single and sleeve, leaving some “air” around the final image
  8. If you don’t have a scanner and want to use a camera, please see the guidelines for 10/12″ singles below

 

Scanning the labels

 

Scanning labels is quite easy. Put your 45 on the scanner, set your scanner to at least 300dpi and press scan. Please send me a scan of the entire single as shown in the first picture. This will leave enough “air” around the label.

Do not crop or adjust the image as shown in the second picture below.

 

 

Scanning the sleeve

 

Same as scanning the singles. Make sure there is some “air” around the scanned sleeve like the first picture shows.

Do not scan the sleeve with the single inside as shown in the second picture.

 

 

 

10/12″ Images

 

10″ and 12″ singles and sleeves are too big for scanners. A camera or a good phone camera will suffice. Make sure that you take the picture at a 90-degree angle to keep the correct perspective. Put a piece of white paper behind the spindle hole, to make it look nice. Make sure you leave some “air” around the labels and sleeve.

On my phone there are grid and level settings. These are very helpful tools when taking pictures of records. Try to avoid glare and reflections on the records and sleeves when taking photos. Experimenting with lighting can improve the photos. Natural light is often the best. Please take a look at the examples below.

 

  1. Use a high quality setting on your camera/phone
  2. Both a and b-side have to be included
  3. Both sides of the sleeve must be included, inner sleeve with print must be included. 
  4. If it has an insert, include it
  5. The spindle hole must have a white background
  6. Do not crop. Send an image of the entire label and sleeve, leaving some “air” around the final image

 

Photographing the labels

 

Photographing labels can be a pain because of reflections. The first image shows how a label image should look. There are no or minimal reflections and there is enough “air” around the label for me to work with. Remember to rotate and align the label correctly before taking the picture.

The second image is of the same label, but here you can see the reflections vinyl can cause if you don’t take measures.

The third and fourth images show a contraption I made to avoid reflections when taking photos of labels. Between my phone and the label sits a cardboard “hole cover” that objects that will be reflected in the vinyl. The backside has another white cardboard piece that must be placed in the same direction as the light source to avoid glare. I used it when taking a picture of the label in the first image. The device is crude looking, but it does the job.

 

 

 

Photographing the sleeve

 

The first image shows how to photograph the sleeve correctly. Natural light and the camera is pointed at the sleeve at a 90-degree angle to keep the correct perspective. See how the green line follows the sleeve around. There is also some “air” left around the sleeve so that it will be easier to work when making the final image that goes on ZappaFrenzy.

The second image shows how not to point the camera. The camera is not pointed at a 90-degree angle and the sleeve does not appear flat, and you can clearly see that it does not follow the red line.

 

 

 

Runouts and Material

 

Runouts must be included. Try to write them exactly as they are stamped or etched into the vinyl. Remember to add information about the runouts being stamped or etched. Here is an example of how you should list the runouts: Runout A: M-17611-1C TI (stamped, TI is etched).

 

If there are special signs, characters that are difficult to distinguish, characters you can’t reproduce using your keyboard or scribbling, take a picture and include it. Experimenting with light and camera angles is crucial when photographing runouts.

 

Please determine which material was used for manufacturing the single. US 7″ singles are made of both vinyl and styrene. If you are unsure about the material, please refer to the Vinyl vs Styrene guide.

 

The first picture shows the “S” found on MGM Record Manufacturing Division, Bloomfield pressings and the second shows the Artisan Sound Recorders Logo.

 

 

 

 

How to send images and information to ZappaFrenzy

 

Head on over to the Contact section and drop me a message and let me know that you want to contribute.