German recording, mastering, vinyl pressing and cassette duplication company for records from certain EMI distributed labels. It emerged in 1951 (effective 26 November 1951), when the Carl Lindström A.-G. was transformed into a GmbH (it already was a GmbH between 1904 and 1908).
In September 1953, the company decided to move from Berlin to Köln-Braunsfeld, on the same premises as the Electrola Gesellschaft m.b.H. headquarters.
The Carl Lindström GmbH was the German vinyl pressing and cassette duplication plant of the German Electrola family of labels, specifically EMI Electrola GmbH.
Also credited as:
- Carl Lindström G.m.b.H. Köln-Braunsfeld
- Carl Lindström Ges.m.b.H.
- Carl Lindström Ges. m.b.H.
- Carl Lindström Ges. m.b.H. - Köln - Braunsfeld
- Carl Lindström Ges. m.b.H., Köln - Braunsfeld
- Carl Lindström Gesellschaft
- Carl Lindström Gesellschaft m.b.H.
- Carl Lindström GmbH
- Carl Lindström GmbH., Köln-Braunsfeld.
A recording and enlarged mastering studio complex was opened in 1956, adjacent to the pressing plant.
Music cassette production facilities were installed in 1966.
The German matrix system:
The matrix system for the Electrola inhouse labels is as follows:
1. Format and channel prefix
2. Label identifier
3. Matrix number
4. Cut number
where:
1. Format and channel prefixes are:
7 T = 7" (17 cm) EP, Mono, 45
7 X = 7" (17 cm), Mono, 45
7 Y = 7" (17 cm), Stereo, 45
0 X = 10" (25 cm), Mono, 33 (0 may appear as O)
0 Y = 10" (25 cm), Stereo, 33 (0 may appear as O)
2 X = 12" (30 cm), Mono, LP
2 Y = 12" (30 cm), Stereo, LP
2. German label identifiers are:
AV = His Master's Voice
BE = Odeon
CR = Columbia
KC = Imperial
RA = Electrola
SM = MGM Records
3. The matrix number
1 to 5 digits
Notes:
- The numbers are usually (but not necessarily!) sequential on releases.
- 1 and 2 digits denote re-releases from shellac repertoire.
- 3 and 4 digits denote German artists and repertoire.
- 5#### numbers indicate takeovers from foreign repertoire.
4. The cut number
is usually -1, -2, or higher (on both sides).
So, the 7" matrix prefixes can be decomposed into:
7 TRA = Electrola 7", EP, 45, Mono
7 TYRA = Electrola 7", EP, 45, Stereo
7 XRA = Electrola 7", 45, Mono
7 TBE = Odeon 7", EP, 45, Mono
7 TYBE = Odeon 7", EP, 45, Stereo
7 XBE = Odeon 7", 45, Mono
7 TCR = Columbia 7", EP, 45, Mono
7 TYCR = Columbia 7", EP, 45, Stereo
7 XCR = Columbia 7", 45, Mono
7 XCA = Columbia 7", 45, Mono
7 XSM = MGM 7", 45, Mono
7 TSM = MGM 7", EP, 45, Mono
7 XKC = Imperial 7", 45, Mono
7 TKC = Imperial 7", EP, 45, Mono
7XAV = His Master's Voice 7”, 45, Mono
7TAV = His Master's Voice 7”, EP, 45, Mono
Other formats can be broken down as follows:
XBE = Odeon / Imperial 10", 33, Mono
XBEX = Odeon LP, Mono
YBEX = Odeon LP, Stereo
2 XCR = Columbia LP, Mono
XR = Columbia 10", 33, Mono
YR = Columbia 10", 33, Stereo
XRX = Columbia 12", 33, Mono
YRX = Columbia 12", 33, Stereo
XKC = Imperial 10", 33, Mono
Addittionally, the following labels have been pressed by Lindström and distributed by Electrola Gesellschaft m.b.H.:
The matrix system contains 2 to 5 digits (#),
Other identifieres: X=side identifier; Y=cut No., M (No S/ST/SM)=Mono, SM=Stereo but also Mono playable, S/ST=Full stereo,
Beka (2): - Until 30 November 1972
- 7" - Matrix system: BEKA #####-X-Y | Cat# system: BEKA ## ###
- 12" - Matrix system: BEKA #####X-Y | Cat system: BEKA ## ###
Since 1 December 1972 the records were pressed by the successor EMI Electrola GmbH.
Capitol Records: - Since 1 January 1957
Previously they were pressed by Teldec-Press. Lindström took over the matrix system from Teldec-Press, CAP-45 ##### (CAP-45-E-#####), and only changed the cat# system from Telefunken's prefix 'CF' to Electrola's 'F'. From April 1960 onwards, the cat system was changed to K ## ###.
Colorit: - In 1972 only, until 30 November 1972
- 7" only - Matrix system: CT ## ### X-Y | Cat system: CT ## ###
Since 1 December 1972 the records were pressed by the successor EMI Electrola GmbH.
Columbia Stateside: - 1962 until mid 1971
- 7" - Matrix system: I45 L(LLL)-###(##)(-X)-Y (Mono) or 7XCR #####-Y (Mono) / 1C006-#####-M-X-Y or 1C006-#####-X-Y.
Where 'L(LLL)': L=Letter, e.g. D, DRA, DW, FG, KR, R, S, ZTSP or N 90W = Original matrix# prefix from US-releases. Electrola used a unique cat# system: C ## ### / 1C 006-## ### (the 2nd, original cat No. system - 45-DW #### - appears on labels only).
- 12" - Matrix system: XRX #####-Y (Mono) or YRX ##### -Y (Stereo) / 1C062-#####-X-Y or 1C052-#####-X-Y (both Stereo).
The 1st cat# system was C ## ### (Mono) or SMC ## ### (Stereo) / 1 C 062 - ## ### or 1C 052-## ### (both Stereo). The 2nd cat# system, which appeared on labels only, was 33 WSX ### (Mono) or SCXW #### (Stereo).
The new matrix or cat system '1C ###-## ###' was used since mid 1969.
Cornet Records: - Since 1966 until ~1971
Not being an Electrola label, Lindström applied a different system:
- 7" - Matrix system: COR ####-X-Y | Cat system: ####
- 12" - Matrix system: COR #####-X-SM-Y or COR-#####-X-Y | Cat system: ## ###
Where ####(#) is identical with the cat. No. After ~1971 the pressing was transferred to Sonopress.
Gloria (2): - 1962 until 30 November 1972
During this period the German label Gloria (2) was pressed a second by Lindström.
- 7" - matrix system: GL ##### X-Y | Cat system: GL ## ### or SMGL ## ###.
- 12" (1962 to 1968) - matrix system: GL ##### X-Y or SMGL/STGL #####-X-Y | Cat system #: GL ## ### or SMGL ## ###.
- 12" (1969 to 1972) - matrix system: 1C045-#####-X-Y | Cat system: 1 C 045-## ### (Stereo).
Where ##### from matrix system are identical with the (last five) numerals from the cat. No.
Harvest: - 1969 until 30 November 1972
- 7" - matrix system: ## ### X-Y, ## ### M-X-Y or 1C006-#####-M-X-Y | Cat system: 1 C 006-## ### (1 C 006-## ###M).
- 12" - matrix system: #####-X-Y or 1C062-#####-X-Y. | Cat system: 1 C 062-## ### (1 C 048-## ### for compilations or Harvest specials). Where ## ### or ##### from matrix system are identical with the last five numerals from the cat. No.
Since 1 December 1972 the records were pressed by the successor EMI Electrola GmbH.
HÖR ZU / Hör Zu Black Label: - 1963 until 30 November 1972 (12" LP only)
- HÖR ZU - matrix system: HZE ###-X-Y, SHZE ###-X-Y, SHZEL ##-X-Y or SHZOG-##-X-Y. | Cat system: HZE ###, SHZE ###, SHZEL ## or SHZOG ##.
- HÖR ZU Black Label - matrix system: SHZE/W ###-BL-M-X-Y, SHZE/W ###-BL-X-Y. | Cat system: SHZE/W ### BL.
HZ stand for HÖR ZU, E=Electrola (or EMI), EL=Electrola (EMI) Low budget records (sometimes with price code L), OG=Olympia Gold, W=Wergo, BL=Black Label. The ### or ## from the matrix system are identical with the numerals from the cat. No.
Since 1 December 1972 the records were pressed by the successor EMI Electrola GmbH.
Isarton: - 1968 until 30 November 1972
- 7" - matrix system: IS ##### X-Y. | Cat system: IS ## ### or SMIS ## ###.
- 12" - matrix system: SMIS ####-X-SM-Y, SMIS ####-X-Y | Cat system: SMIS ####, where #### from the matrix system are identical with the numerals from the cat. No. Since 1 December 1972 the records were pressed by the successor EMI Electrola GmbH.
Liberty: - 1962 until mid 1967
- 7" - matrix system: LIB ##### X-Y where ##### differs from the primary cat No. (but identical with the secondary, original cat. No.). Electrola used a unique cat# system: L ## ### (the 2nd, original cat No. system - LIB ##### W - appears on labels only).
- 10" - matrix system: LBO ###-X-Y | Cat system: L ## ###
- 12" - matrix system: LBY 1173-X-Y, SLBY ####-X-Y. | 1st Cat system: L ## ###, SML/STL ## ### | 2nd cat system (appeared on labels only): LBY #### W, SLBY #### W.
In mid 1967 the distributing rights for Liberty switched to Liberty Records GmbH. Since then, the records have been pressed by Sonopress.
Mercury Records / Mercury Emarcy Jazz: - 1958 until 1961
- 7" - Lindström took over the international matrix system: YW/YW45 ##### | New plant specific cat system: R/RJ ## ###
- 7" EP - matrix system: RJ ##### | Cat system: R/RJ ## ###, where ##### is identical with the cat. No.
- 10" - matrix system: RJ #####
- 12" - matrix system: SR / MG #####, where SR / MG matrices were overtaken from international releases and differ from the cat. No.
After 1961 the pressing was transferred to Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft Pressing Plant.
MGM Records: - 1953 until September 1959
- 7" - matrix system: 7 XSM and 7 TSM (see above). In October 1959 the pressing went to Deutsche Grammophon Pressing Plant.
Stateside: - 1970 until 30 November 1972.
- 7" EP - matrix system: ##### X-Y. | Cat system: 1C 006-## ###.
- 12" - matrix system: #####-X-Y / 1C###-#####-X-Y. | Cat system: SMST ####/## / 1 C 062 - ## ### or 1C 052-## ###. Where ##### from the matrix No. are identical with the last five numerals from the cat. No.
Since 1 December 1972 the records were pressed by the successor EMI Electrola GmbH.
Stax: - 1968/69 until 1970
7" - matrix system: STAX ### X, ST 00##-Y, 1C006-#####(M)-X-Y (since 1969) | Cat system: AX ## ###, 1C 006-##### (M) (since ~mid 1969)
12" - matrix system: ST ####-Y, 1C062 ##### X-Y, ## ### X-Y | Cat system: SMAX ## ###, 1C 062-## ###, 1C 048-##### (since ~mid 1969)
In 1971 pressing moved to Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft Pressing Plant or rather Phonodisc GmbH (1973).
WERGO: - 1965 until ~1970
7" - matrix system: WER 20##-X-SM-Y | Cat system: WER ###
12" - matrix system: WER 30##-X-M-Y, WER 30##-X-SM-Y, WER 30-##-X-ST-Y | Cat system: WER ## ###
Pressing moved to Schallplattenfabrik Pallas GmbH in 1970.
Contract pressings (non-Electrola labels, mostly religious, sacred, promotional, literature, educational and private 'Not On Label' pressings, e.g., Friedrich Verlag):
7 PAL (7”s)
10 PAL (10", Mono)
12 PAL (12", 33 1/3)
followed by 4 unique stamper digits, ascending by side (e.g. 1815 on side A and 1816 on side B), and followed by
-SM: Stereo but also Mono playable
-ST: Full stereo
(no suffix indicates a Mono release).
Between 1969 and 1971 the above-mentioned matrix prefixes (7/10/12 PAL) can also be followed by 5 unique stamper digits: 60### (e.g., Faszination (Berühmte Dirigenten Der Gegenwart)).
Note: These numbers also appear on repressings by the successor EMI Electrola GmbH, cf. Salut Leçons 1-19.
This system was in place between 1960 and 1972 and was then replaced by
7 F 60.#### for 7"s and
F 60.### for LPs.
For international matrix codes and matrix examples, please refer to the Carl Lindström Knowledge Thread.
Note, that early pressings in the 1950s do also contain a "MADE IN " stamp in capital letters (tops of the letters pointing to the middle of the record).
This stamp is not observed on pressings after 1957.
