[78-L] Transcriptions (78s & 33s)

[Malcolm]

What different people call transcriptions seems to vary a lot.
To me the primary definition from which all other forms depend, is a 12" 
or 16" plastic or instantaneous lacquer disc recorded at either 33.3rpm 
or 78rpm. Usage of the material thereon is also important, but secondary 
to the prime definition.
There are numerous collectors out there who consider other forms & 
usages as transcriptions: test pressings, (Radio) air checks, Syndicated 
radio shows, instantaneous lacquers, V-Discs, one-off recordings, and more.
One of the three projects I have been working on, especially now with 
the ongoing "stay at home" routine in place, is a discography of 
Hawaiian Transcriptions. Originally conceived by a Hawaiian record 
collector in Europe I thought "here's a quick and easy piece of work 
which I can tackle for a friend." Alas, I discovered there are far more 
of them than I figured. Still manageable, though. I had already come to 
the conclusion that "in discography there is no 'quick & easy'."
My other two projects are a 2nd updated and corrected edition of my 
Hawaiian discography and a complete discography/ labelography of the 
Starr Piano Company's output - Gennett, Champion, Superior, Silvertone, 
Supertone, and on and on and on. I'm still working on all three.

But I digress...
As to other forms & usages, here's my current take on the ones mentioned 
above:

Test pressings: these are not transcriptions even if recorded under the 
prime definition.

(Radio) air checks: these are not transcriptions even if recorded under 
the prime definition.

Syndicated radio shows: these are mostly transcriptions. See next category.

Instantaneous lacquers: these can be transcriptions if they're copies of 
actual transcriptions or if they are master recordings meant to be used 
as physical masters for purposes of reproduction and/or syndication.

V-Discs: Here's an odd mutation! These were used for over-the-air 
broadcast by the Armed Services during and after WW2. Much, but not all, 
of the material thereon was drawn from pre-existing commercial 78s, 
especially in the format's earliest incarnation. Since these meet the 
prime definition, even though the secondary definition has not been met, 
I reluctantly consider V-Discs as transcriptions.

One-off recordings: possible, especially if the master disc is used for 
duplication and distribution to radio stations, for instance. But, since 
the lacquer master record would be destroyed in the plating and 
duplication process, the point is moot. So? Maybe.

And more: I'm open to new definitions and ideas here.

Thanks for the great topic, Dave!
Malcolm Rockwell