Collecting log: The early 1980s U.K. vinyl pressings with "timtom" or "Ty" handwritten matrix inscription (Part 2 of 4)

Four U.K. 7" singles cut from THE RIVER and examined here.

Between 1980 and 1981, CBS Records U.K. released four 7-inch singles from THE RIVER, for each of which several variant issues exist. Oddly in this era, the company issued two editions for each regular single that differed in the labels on the discs (Sunburst paper or tangerine plastic), with some having a large spindle hole or cut-out center like typical U.S. 7" singles (as found in some paper label copies of Sherry Darling : CBS 9568). There was also a promotion-only disc for each with white paper labels. Moreover, two releases were withdrawn due to mis-coloured lettering on the sleeve (Hungry Heart : S CBS 9303) and mis-configuration of B-side (Sherry Darling backed with Independence Day : CBS 9568 promotion-only pressing). Finally, minor differences were observed in the label printing, such as font size, between same titles (as seen on the paper labels of The River : CBS A1179). Although this vinyl format is not my prime target of collecting, I own at least one copy each for these regular single copies.

And the question is whether or not lacquer masters for these 7" discs were cut by Tim Young, a distinguished mastering engineer in the U.K. The following list shows the dead-wax matrix information on one copy each for the four regular singles in my possession (oblique, hand-etched; straight, machine-stamped). Based on the suffix code, these copies are first pressing (Side A, A1; Side B, B1) except Sherry Darling (Side B, B2) for the reason briefly mentioned above.

Upper : Two "timtom" inscriptions found in U.K. 7"
copies for Hungry Heart (paper label) and Cadillac
Ranch. The inscription of the former is difficult to
read with an extra hand-etching (probably "cbs").
Lower : "Ty" inscribed on Side B of Hungry Heart.

Hungry Heart / Held Up Without A Gun (S CBS 9303)

• Side A:   CBS-S 9309 A1         timtom-cbs
• Side B:   CBS-S 9309 B1         Ty   
• Note: Paper label; small spindle hole; withdrawn blue-lettering sleeve.

Sherry Darling / Be True (CBS 9568)

• Side A:   CBS-S 9568∙A∙1       timtom
• Side B:   CBS S 9568 B2      CBS-S-9493 B2      Ty
• Note: Plastic label; small spindle hole; wrong catalog number on B-side scratched out; picture sleeve.

The River / Independence Day (CBS A1179)

• Side A:   CBS-S-A-1179-A1
• Side B:   CBS-S-A-1179-B1
• Note: Larger "Bruce Springsteen" printed on the paper labels; small spindle hole; picture sleeve.

Cadillac Ranch / Wreck On The Highway (CBS A1557)

• Side A:   CBS∙A∙1557 A1        timtom
• Side B:   CBS∙A∙1557∙B-1
• Note: Plastic label; small spindle hole; picture sleeve.

It must be noted that one of the two signatures, Ty (usually on backside), was so faintly hand-etched that I might miss it out on the latter two releases. Anyway, this short survey, together with the previous blog post, was enough to demonstrate Young's involvement in the cutting of recordings for THE RIVER singles. Strangely, it seems that he was nothing to do with cutting The River 7" even though he obviously did the job for its 12" counterpart. Or might he have just forgotten to make inscriptions on the master lacquer of this 7" disc?

Then I continued to examine Atlantic City (CBS A2794) and Open All Night (CBS A2969), the two single cuts in 1982 in the U.K., from the subsequent album NEBRASKA (CBS 25100). There were no dead-wax signatures of him even for the white-label promo copies in my possession which are supposed to be pressed and released in advance of, or coincidentally with, the regular releases.

This is probably the sole example of a NEBRASKA track
that is clearly indicated as "MONO" among all the vinyl
pressings of the album and singles released therefrom.

Atlantic City / Mansion On The Hill (CBS A2794)

• Side A:   CBS A 2974 A1   2794
• Side B:   CBS A 2794 B1
• Note: White paper label; promo release; wrong catalog number on A-side scratched out; black company sleeve.

Open All Night (stereo) / Open All Night (mono) (CBS A2969; promotion-only pressing)

• Stereo side:   CBS A-2969-A1
• Mono side:   CBS A-2969-A1 DJ
• Note: White paper label; promo release; double A-side; black company sleeve.

So, the matrix information of these 7" singles indicated that the Maestro's contribution to Springsteen's U.K. releases is limited to THE RIVER and that he's not involved in cutting NEBRASKA materials. Is that really so?
— To be continued.