Lyntone Recordings Ltd.

English disc manufacturer. Best known as a manufacturer of flexi-discs, due to being the European licensee of the flexi-disc process that was developed and patented by Eva-Tone Soundsheets. Lyntone was plating (i.e. metal works) and pressing vinyl of all sizes, and very occasionally they self-released records with Lyntone as the stand alone label. History: Founded in 1957 (registered on 24 September 1958) by Paul S. Lynton, a former professional musician (double bass) to manufacture special records for industrial advertising and promotion. The first product were picture discs. In 1959, Lyntone is incorporated into the Rank Organisation's "Rank Audio Plastics Ltd". In 1961, after Rank withdrew from record manufacturing, Lynton revives Lynton Recordings, manufacturing flexi "slimdiscs", in cooperation with Audio Plastics Ltd.. Early Audio Plastics releases also carry a LYN number. In 1970, the company moves from London's Regent Street to Upper Holloway, North London, and gradually starts to also process and press vinyl records. In 1983, Lyntone acquired an adjoining site and built a new manufacturing complex. In April 1986 the company is renamed Lyntone Audio Reproduction Ltd. In June 1987, the plant is taken over by Damont Audio Ltd., becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary but still operating as Lyntone. In June 1991 came the final closure of the plant. Equipment: In 1978 the plant operated 4 Lened automatic 12” presses, 2 Toolex Alpha manual 7” presses, and 2 Fabel manual 7” presses (later replaced by 2 Lened automatic double cavity 7” presses). Around 1980, 2 further manual 7” presses were bought, intended for 7” pictures discs. In 1983, the plant operated 6 Lened automatic 12” presses, 2 TTT 12” manual presses for 12” picture discs (bought from the former WEA plant), 3 Lened double cavity automatic 7” presses, 2 Toolex Alpha manual 7” presses. In 1991, the plant operated 6 Lened 12" presses and 3 Lened 7" presses. Lyntone operated Europa Film record plating equipment. After the closure, a couple of presses went to Damont, another couple were sold and the rest were scrapped. Identification: Lyntone plates and/ or pressings can usually be identified by a pattern, consisting of an etched LYN or L, followed by 3 to 5 digits, e.g. LYN-943, LYN 2211, LYN.11095. Sometimes only the numbers are present. Add LYN or L and the numbers as they appear (e.g. LYN-1234 or LYN 1234 or L 1234) in the runouts as LCCN number but without the tailing numbers / characters (e.g. 1L, 2U, 3T, etc.). When there are two different LYN numbers (i.e. one per side), add Pressed By (or Mastered At) twice and add the respective LYN number (see here for an example). When other plants are credited in the runouts, use Mastered At for Lyntone. Between 1979 and 1991, 12"s and LPs have a double dip with ring diameters of 33 mm and 63 mm. After the plant's closure, the moulds can appear on Damont pressings. The numeral in a circle indicates the mother / positive number. External lacquer studios: The tailing number (I, 2, 3) and letter identify the studio that provided the (number of) lacquers (e.g. IC, 2M): C = Lacquer Cut At CBS Studios, London E = Lacquer Cut At EMI Studios (unless specifically stated Penthouse) M = Lacquer Cut At Master Room P = Lacquer Cut At Portland Studios (when in combination with Porky) S = Lacquer Cut At Spectrum Sound (2) T = Lacquer Cut At Trident Studios U = Lacquer Cut At Portland Studios W = Lacquer Cut At The Music Centre, Wembley X = Lacquer Cut At The Exchange Y = Lacquer Cut At Pye Studios until September 1980 and Lacquer Cut At PRT Studios after September 1980 Z = Lacquer Cut At Tape One Starting in 1978, this was extended / replaced by additional letters (after a leading number): CBS: Lacquer Cut At CBS Studios, London CR or CRS: Lacquer Cut At County Recording Service CTS: Lacquer Cut At CTS Studios ECT: Unknown EMI: Lacquer Cut At EMI's EMI Studios EX: Lacquer Cut At The Exchange MS or MSR: Lacquer Cut At Master Room PP = Lacquer Cut At Porky's Mastering (since 1984) PRT: Lacquer Cut At PRT Studios SC: Lacquer Cut At The Sound Clinic SM: Lacquer Cut At Strawberry Mastering TAM: Lacquer Cut At - Tam Studio TD: Lacquer Cut At Trident Studios TH: Lacquer Cut At The Town House TO: Lacquer Cut At Tape One TR: Lacquer Cut at Trident Studios U = Lacquer Cut At Portland Studios (until 1983) U = Lacquer Cut At Porky's Mastering (since 1984) UT: Lacquer Cut At Utopia Studios Note that the leading I (e.g. ITO) is in fact a 1 (see 2TO or 3UT). Known plating engineers and their usual scribes: Arthur Owen: AO Francis DeSouza: ∙ Z ∙ or ∙ z ∙ Fred Hulme (2): F.H. Gwen Mohan: (MO) Maxwell Anandappa: Max. or Ma Shailesh Mehta: S.M. or S.m. Unknown engineer P (42): ∙ P ∙ or ∙ p ∙ (possibly named Ray Palmer but unconfirmed).