What's the deal with OBI on Japanese pressings?

[moonbeams]

Obi, which means sash, are found on books, records and CDs. I always throw them in the recycle, as they are just an advertisement for the contents inside.

However, they're becoming a sort of nemesis for me when record hunting because if they are still attached to a record, the value might go up $50.

For those who buy Japanese releases, do you keep your obi?

[manicdogbert]

As a collector, yes. They're part of the packaging like the lyric sheet or any other insert. Unless I just want the record/CD for the music, I won't buy a Japanese pressing if the obi isn't included.

[jblahmaster]

For the couple boris records i have i keep them on. To me it adds to the overall package. From what I've read on here some people have problems with them

[daegor]

*always* keep your obi, it always adds to the value

[pjaicomo]

ABSOLUTELY. Don't throw those away. If I am going to drop coin on a Japanese pressing it MUST have the obi. They add to the uniqueness of the record. I must say, I prefer when they wrap around the label spine (as often is the case with CDs) because then you can have your favorite artist's name and album title looking at you in Japanese.

[pjaicomo]

The real question is: Why do they have them?

[derkwithano]

I enjoy them on releases with no text on the cover artwork

[icecream]

seems like just a novelty

[apeman]

The real question is: Why do they have them?

They are quite simply there to give info about the contents of the product to the consumer.

[somethingvinyl]

If you're just buying music to listen to, then toss them. Yet, I would say a fair number of us are not only into listening to this superior audio format, we're into it for the collectible nature as well.

[mhansel411]

Call me a noob, but picture? I don't know what this is?

[mclz]

I keep mine on them, even the ones that are beat up.

[circlingvultures]

the strip on the left.

[circlingvultures]

also to the person asking what they look like. Sometimes they are a band that goes all the way around a record or cd and is taped or glued at some point. Other times, more so on cds then records, they are folded around the spine so about an inch or two is covered on the front and back along with the entire spine.

[mhansel411]

Pretty cool. Never seen much of what I listen to on a Jap pressing. I have expanded my knowledge tonight. Thanks all.

[SweetJerryWine]

Broken Circles press lots of their most limited pressings with an obi. I think it adds a really special touch.

[moonbeams]

The real question is: Why do they have them?

Many older domestic releases don't have a track listing. On the front of the obi are the tracks and maybe some review quotes. On the are advertisements for other releases from the label.

For me, saving the obi is like keeping the tag of your clothes. I always trash them. That's why I'm so bummed when I find a record I've been searching for and it costs $100 because it has an ad sashed around it.

I find that obi detract from the art, as well.

If you want to know what your obi says, post a pic here and I'll translate it for you.

[moonbeams]

the strip on the left.

On foreign releases, they usually have the artist and title written in Japanese.

[nothingnatural]

Like someone stated earlier, do not throw these away. Keep em. I have many Japanese versions of Lush CDs from the 90s and the OBI really does add to the overall presentation. Plus, if you ever fall on tough times and need to sell anything, you'll get significantly more if the OBI is intact.

On the other hand. I see where moonbeams is coming from with this thread. If I lived/was born and raised in Japan, I might of looked at the OBI differently and tossed em. Bottom line, keep em all from now on.

[mrc]

I dont go after Japanese pressings, but I did get this Divisions - Violent End 2x tape deal and it came with some killer packaging and OBI strip

[GradedOnACurve]

If I bought a CD I chucked them. I don't have a Japanese record with the obi, but I'd keep it on. Novelty.