Does anyone have a history of jewel cases?
Currently, I'm dismayed over the state of the modern jewel case. It seems to have gotten quite cheapy. I have a few old cds with some nice, sturdy cases. Honestly, in my most spoiled bratness, I declare, I will not clothe a noble cd in a cheap jewel case (no,... I have plenty to do! :P).
Where can I get decent jewel cases? There is a difference, is there not? Can anyone come up with better questions?
All hail the Great Jewel Case Thread!!
Rah rah rah
Well, it all went downhill once they started to be made in China at the cost of 2 cents a piece.
I won't blame China, but you're probably right, Paul... :-\
I have many disks that were encased back in the 1980's, and the JC's are frickin' bulletproof, it seems, while ones from the late 90's and later are noticeably lighter and far more flexible. I am in a small minority that doesn't hate JC's as a concept, I guess, but I sure hate the modern pieces of crap going by that name >:( I would be willing to pay the extra 7p just to get a good one when I need a replacement. :-\
8)
I don't know what any of you mean, the standard jewel case has been the same since as long as I can remember. ???
Quote from: DavidW on April 06, 2010, 08:20:27 AM
I don't know what any of you mean, the standard jewel case has been the same since as long as I can remember. ???
The quality of the styrene plastic is the main thing, DW. I had one the other day that I could fold almost 15°! I threw it away and replaced it with an old one that weighed <>25% more and couldn't be flexed at all. :)
8)
Oh I don't test durability of cases, I just put them on the bookshelf. :)
Quote from: DavidW on April 06, 2010, 08:26:16 AM
Oh I don't test durability of cases, I just put them on the bookshelf. :)
Good thing for you, newer ones suck. :P Well, not the ones that come from publishers so much (they are still much lighter weight) but replacements. :)
8)
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on April 06, 2010, 08:23:23 AM
The quality of the styrene plastic is the main thing, DW. I had one the other day that I could fold almost 15°! I threw it away and replaced it with an old one that weighed <>25% more and couldn't be flexed at all. :)
8)
I have a witness!!
Now, where can I get some good ones?
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on April 06, 2010, 08:19:43 AM
I am in a small minority that doesn't hate JC's as a concept
I love them, and am constantly disappointed by the newer generations of disc-containers such as DVD cases which all patently fail to do what they are supposed to do - keep the discs housed and safe. SACD was a devolution too, due to how easy the corners were to knock off and subsequently how much more expensive they were to replace.
Digipaks are particularly useless, and I tend to avoid buying a CD if it comes in one. The edges can become tatty quite quickly, and the matte ones go blotchy and greasy the second you even breathe on them. Nowdays labels often market that paper crap as a "luxury product" for fancy reissues and the like :-\
Quote from: Lethe on April 08, 2010, 07:52:52 AM
I love them, and am constantly disappointed by the newer generations of disc-containers such as DVD cases which all patently fail to do what they are supposed to do - keep the discs housed and safe. SACD was a devolution too, due to how easy the corners were to knock off and subsequently how much more expensive they were to replace.
Digipaks are particularly useless, and I tend to avoid buying a CD if it comes in one. The edges can become tatty quite quickly, and the matte ones go blotchy and greasy the second you even breathe on them. Nowdays labels often market that paper crap as a "luxury product" for fancy reissues and the like :-\
I like the tea-bag concept, hard-shell clam-shell box with discs in paper sleeves inside.
And what a relief to be on this thread. The one place where I am confident I will not be subject to a certain poster pontificating on who is a genius and who, regrettably, isn't. (On the other hand, the Jewel case is pure genius, isn't it?)
Quote from: Scarpia on April 08, 2010, 08:04:06 AM
I like the tea-bag concept, hard-shell clam-shell box with discs in paper sleeves inside.
Indeed! I find it hard to believe how every 2 CD set used to come in a double-thickness jewel case, and many Beethoven cycles used two or three of the things :-\ Towards the end they found a way to cram six CDs into those double thickness things with fold out trays on each side, shame it wasn't like that from the start.
Whatever type of CD cases you want, make sure to browse http://www.sleevetown.com/ (http://www.sleevetown.com/). A whole shop dedicated to optical disc storage.
All of my classical CDs are now in white paper sleeves - saves heaps on storage space. I have kept the back inserts as record of what I have collected. The booklets go in with the CDs.
I am investigating clear plastic so Todd's thread was of interest.
I have transferred all my unboxed CDs into plastic envelopes and I have disposed of the jewel cases. As with Holden, it saves me a great deal of shelf space. In my last house, an entire room was set aside for CD storage. In our flat, I could not afford that luxury of shelf space.
Todd, thanks for that site link. I have saved it to favourites. On occasion I have had trouble getting hold of envelopes that allow space for booklets.
Mike
I totally agree with the OP. The standard of jewel cases dropped so much by the 90's I put all my CD's into plastic envelopes. Perhaps if I had put them in Jewel Cases they would have better survived ravages of fire. Nevertheless, I STILL put my CD's into clear plastic enveloples. This is good, but not easy to track and retrieve in a logical order, as there's no spine with details of the recordings. But it saves so much space, keeps the CD's to their original calling (Compact Disc), and means I do not have shelves of the things splattering all over the floor too in stacks.
Todd, thank you for the link.
Quote from: Todd on April 08, 2010, 11:23:49 AM
Whatever type of CD cases you want, make sure to browse http://www.sleevetown.com/ (http://www.sleevetown.com/). A whole shop dedicated to optical disc storage.
The other day I just received a small box w/ a bunch of their products, i.e. replacements, 2-CD, & 3-CD cases, etc. - my their order over the years - recommended! :)
Quote from: snyprrr on April 08, 2010, 07:14:04 AM
Now, where can I get some good ones?
One of my used CD haunts bundles old jewel cases and sells them. Which could be a gold mine if the bundle is 100% old-school JCs (using Gurn's description). But of course they're
used - so just stick them in the dishwasher or something (kidding).
But they can be washed in a sink.
I hate jewel cases - they are rubbish. The hinges are much too flimsy. Whenever I find myself carrying a stack of CDs and inadvertently drop the whole lot on the floor, with a sickening crash, I find that the jewel cases have fragmented, the hinges always snapped off and the CDs themselves catapaulted somewhere under a rug. Not only that but when, with great difficulty, I tear off the cellophane wrapping to get at a new CD, I increasingly find that the hinges are already broken, the case cracked etc.
I much prefer the cardboard packing which is sometimes used (ie on my George Lloyd Symphony No 11 on Albany and on one of my Koppel symphony Da Capo CDs). I use the jewel case containing the sampler CD which comes with Gramophone magazine as a source of replacement CD covers.
Quote from: vandermolen on April 09, 2010, 12:24:34 PM
I hate jewel cases - they are rubbish. The hinges are much too flimsy. Whenever I find myself carrying a stack of CDs and inadvertently drop the whole lot on the floor, with a sickening crash, I find that the jewel cases have fragmented, the hinges always snapped off and the CDs themselves catapaulted somewhere under a rug. Not only that but when, with great difficulty, I tear off the cellophane wrapping to get at a new CD, I increasingly find that the hinges are already broken, the case cracked etc.
I much prefer the cardboard packing which is sometimes used (ie on my George Lloyd Symphony No 11 on Albany and on one of my Koppel symphony Da Capo CDs). I use the jewel case containing the sampler CD which comes with Gramophone magazine as a source of replacement CD covers.
Yes, there is absolutely no question that the hinge is the design failure of the whole deal. It is just a little sheet of flat styrene with no supporting member whatsoever, and is the part that takes the most abuse. Probably 75% of my case failures are directly attributable to the hinge. >:(
8)
They cost about 3p to replace, though (or free as there are so many junk CDs with magazines/newspapers).
I never got to experience the value of the old-style super strong cases due to my age - all the ones I find in charity shops are faded and so whenever I buy them I transfer the guts of the CD into a new case, and the total clarity of the (admittedly flimsy) front makes the cover look much more vibrant compared to the old one. I've never really found the wobbly nature of the new ones an issue, I just open them with minor care :-\
Quote from: Lethe on April 09, 2010, 03:04:59 PM
They cost about 3p to replace, though (or free as there are so many junk CDs with magazines/newspapers).
I never got to experience the value of the old-style super strong cases due to my age - all the ones I find in charity shops are faded and so whenever I buy them I transfer the guts of the CD into a new case, and the total clarity of the (admittedly flimsy) front makes the cover look much more vibrant compared to the old one. I've never really found the wobbly nature of the new ones an issue, I just open them with minor care :-\
Yes, I too sometimes transfer an old faded CD jewel case for a new one - it is like having a new CD :D
Quote from: Todd on April 08, 2010, 11:23:49 AM
Whatever type of CD cases you want, make sure to browse http://www.sleevetown.com/ (http://www.sleevetown.com/). A whole shop dedicated to optical disc storage.
I'll have to try that. That's
btw- I thought this would be a topic to bring out passions.
Quote from: snyprrr on April 10, 2010, 06:26:23 AM
btw- I thought this would be a topic to bring out passions.
>:D >:D >:D
Quote from: snyprrr on April 10, 2010, 06:26:23 AM
I thought this would be a topic to bring out passions.
Some of us are so incensed by the topic that we can't allow ourselves to begin to comment, for fear of the unstoppable torrent of anger that could be unleashed by the topic of jewel case hinge design.
I love those fold-out cardboard triptych packages with a little slot for the booklet, and can't imagine why we never had those right from the start. It was a simple enough development from the old LP fold-out sleeve, after all.
Quote from: Elgarian on April 10, 2010, 01:25:40 PM
I love those fold-out cardboard triptych packages with a little slot for the booklet, and can't imagine why we never had those right from the start. It was a simple enough development from the old LP fold-out sleeve, after all.
Well, first at least w/ the plastic jewel boxes, if a portion is 'broken' a cheap replacement can be found, esp. if purchased in 'bulk' from an online source.
Second, I love those 'wallet fold outs', however, I've received a number in which the center tabs that hold the disc or discs in place were in part or even totally broken, i.e. the disc(s) would not hold tightly - unfortunately, unless the company is willing to send you a replacement (a rarity in my requests), then you are STUCK w/ a loser package! :-\
Quote from: SonicMan on April 10, 2010, 04:49:24 PM
Well, first at least w/ the plastic jewel boxes, if a portion is 'broken' a cheap replacement can be found, esp. if purchased in 'bulk' from an online source.
Second, I love those 'wallet fold outs', however, I've received a number in which the center tabs that hold the disc or discs in place were in part or even totally broken, i.e. the disc(s) would not hold tightly - unfortunately, unless the company is willing to send you a replacement (a rarity in my requests), then you are STUCK w/ a loser package! :-\
Oh gosh I hadn't thought of that. It hasn't happened to me so far, but of course if it does (and it's a fairly frequent occurrence in jewel cases, after all), then STUCKness is the inevitable result as you say. Every silver lining has a cloud.
Quote from: Elgarian on April 10, 2010, 01:25:40 PM
Some of us are so incensed by the topic that we can't allow ourselves to begin to comment, for fear of the unstoppable torrent of anger that could be unleashed by the topic of jewel case hinge design.
I love those fold-out cardboard triptych packages with a little slot for the booklet, and can't imagine why we never had those right from the start. It was a simple enough development from the old LP fold-out sleeve, after all.
You are SO right. I couldn't agree more.
It's official.
I just got an old Chandos cd from Ebay, and the case appears to be original. Yes, you can feel the difference (Madge, haha).
"You're soaking in it."
Yea, I don't like the cd, but I'm keeping the case and putting one of the Laurelists in it.
Were THOSE the days?? :o
Quote from: snyprrr on April 19, 2010, 10:58:38 AM
Yea, I don't like the cd, but I'm keeping the case and putting one of the Laurelists in it.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3475/3202165959_dca55f1977_o.png)
And the CD can always be used as a hair roller! ;D
Quote from: snyprrr on April 19, 2010, 10:58:38 AM
I just got an old Chandos cd from Ebay, and the case appears to be original. Yes, you can feel the difference (Madge, haha).
Yea, I don't like the cd, but I'm keeping the case and putting one of the Laurelists in it.
I can just imagine you reselling it, and the buyer thinking
"Sure the CD is nice, but the deal-maker is that wonderful old case... what, the bastard switched it for a modern one? >:D"
Quote from: SonicMan on April 10, 2010, 04:49:24 PM
Well, first at least w/ the plastic jewel boxes, if a portion is 'broken' a cheap replacement can be found, esp. if purchased in 'bulk' from an online source.
Second, I love those 'wallet fold outs', however, I've received a number in which the center tabs that hold the disc or discs in place were in part or even totally broken, i.e. the disc(s) would not hold tightly - unfortunately, unless the company is willing to send you a replacement (a rarity in my requests), then you are STUCK w/ a loser package! :-\
In the case of a broken spider in a digi-pack where you can't well replace the plastic part that holds the CD (or is supposed to hold it), there is still this solution:
Remove all the teeth of the spider and replace it with one of those soft foam circles that you can buy when making CD packages yourself. They'll keep the CD nicely and snugly in place and you don't have the hassle of the CD always flying out when you carelessly lift one of those (previously) damaged digipacks/foldouts.
Quote from: snyprrr on April 19, 2010, 10:58:38 AM
It's official.
I just got an old Chandos cd from Ebay, and the case appears to be original. Yes, you can feel the difference (Madge, haha).
No one doubts you. Well, i don't, at any rate. I've worked with CDs so long (at Tower, RIP (http://www.forbes.com/2006/11/15/tower-music-bankruptcy-oped-cx_jfl_1115tower.html)), that I need only touch a CD once to judge the quality of the jewel case. Smoothness, weight, density, flexibility... (You *do* want *some* of the latter, which prevents breaking, but you don't want them to be wobbly, either. ) I felt like an Eskimo, who has 20 different words for snow, so quickly and precisely could I tell one kind of Jewel case (say Naxos' manufaturer) from another.
Quote from: jlaurson on April 25, 2010, 09:06:08 AM
No one doubts you. Well, i don't, at any rate. I've worked with CDs so long (at Tower, RIP (http://www.forbes.com/2006/11/15/tower-music-bankruptcy-oped-cx_jfl_1115tower.html)), that I need only touch a CD once to judge the quality of the jewel case. Smoothness, weight, density, flexibility... (You *do* want *some* of the latter, which prevents breaking, but you don't want them to be wobbly, either. ) I felt like an Eskimo, who has 20 different words for snow, so quickly and precisely could I tell one kind of Jewel case (say Naxos' manufaturer) from another.
Yes, I have to admit that that Chandos disc has a nice heavy, tactile feel to it. heehee I also have an original Philips/Webern SQs/Quartetto Italiano that you could hurt someone with. I think the cd is silver.
I worked at Tower also. Do you know Bruce Tennant? He was the classical guy in Annapolis @mid '90s.
Here's a great example.
Now, everyone get out your Bartok/Pollini/Abbado.
I just got this,...apparently brand new (in the factory seal), but with only a 1979 date on it. Obviously, I am hard pressed to believe that this actual cd is even from the '90s, but I could be wrong. It was the white spine, with the little yellow corner that says 'STEREO'. The color on the the cover picture looks 'cheaper' than what I would expect from DG (bootleg?? :o), though, not bootleggy bad.
So, does anyone have this cd? Does anyone know they have an original cd from the '80s, or '90s? When was this cd first issued (it's always been in Penguin)? How many re-issues?
Haha, you're going to laugh at me, if you saw me now, gently rubbing cd trays from different vintages. Oy!!
Anyhow, next time I'm at the library I'll check their copy. I know it's original.
YES, PEOPLE!! THESE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT!! ;D
Yes, those early DG CDs looked like bootlegs. Terrible, more embarassing than early Naxos.
Digipacks I hate. All the strength and durability of cardboard! Plus trying to nudge the discs out of their sleeves, always with the risk that they'll suddenly pop out at the wrong moment and land on the floor. Jewel cases have their flaws (often literally) but I can remove the disc instantly and risk-free, without even thinking about it. Unless it's those clam cases, with their many variable and delicate designs. Okay, which way does this fold out? *CRACK* Oh, I see, it was the other way.
Quote from: eyeresist on April 29, 2010, 05:56:41 PM
Yes, those early DG CDs looked like bootlegs. Terrible, more embarassing than early Naxos.
Yes, the cd says 'Made in West Germany'. Where's the
Kunstdiskfabrik, haha??
Another vote for Sleevetown here.
This thread should be subtitled, 'Frotting my Jewelbox'.
Mike
bump