Audio Fidelity catalog numbering systems review

AFLP/AFSD - Mono/Stereo series

The AUDIO FIDELITY label was first used on a series of six monaural 10” diameter LPs with Catalog No. AFLP-901 through AFLP-906

The next series were 12"dia. and started with number AFLP-1801.  Most of the AFLP-1801-2199 series had stereo versions, but not all.  Some of the earlier 1800 series were not originally recorded in stereo and some never were.  Some were re-recorded in stereo at a later date or electronically reprocessed to (AFSD-5806 and AFSD-5906) simulate stereo.  This accounts for some differences in artists listed for some titles released (AFFP-1823 / AFSD-5823) in both mono and stereo.  In general the stereo versions had a prefix of “AFSD” with and 4000 added to the mono number, the last 3 digits being the same for both mono and stereo.  The original mono labels were metallic gold and the original stereo labels were metallic silver.  After the company was sold in 1965 and the recordings were re-released under different corporate identities, the labels changed color to blue, black, yellow and perhaps others.

Although recordings released with an “AFLP” prefix were monaural, there was one exception.  AFLP-1872 was released as the first stereo record using the Westrex 45/45 cutter heads.

Further confusion was introduced when A/F started producing stereo records in 1958.  Early stereo recordings were released in the original mono jacket with a gold metallic sticker proclaiming that this was an “Audio Fidelity Stereodisc”, The catalog number on the jacket remained the mono version but the labels on the disk inside had a prefix of AFSD followed by the existing mono number.   Thus the Stereo version of  “Johnny Puleo and his Harmonica Gang Vol 1” eventually was released as both AFSD-1830 and AFSD-5830.  So far 13 of these have been identified.

The complexity increased when the AFLP-700/AFSD-1700 "Personality Series" was started later in 1960 with AFLP-701/AFSD-1701.  This series deviated by adding 1000 to the mono number for the stereo version.  This series was devoted mostly to the spoken words of well-known personalities.

So far, the known numbers in the AFLP series range from AFLP-701 to AFLP-2199.   The known AFSD series ranges from AFSD-1701 to AFSD-6294 (probably went to 6299) in this database.  The AFE stereo series started with AFE-6300 and extended to AFE-7501 with very few identified so far.  There were at lease thirteen boxed sets of 3 released with AFE-3-1 to AFE-3-13 catalog numbers.

Audio Rarities Series

This series used the labels: Audio Masterpieces, Audio Masterworks, and Audio Rarities. The Catalog number prefixes were AM, AR and LPA.  AM (Audio Masterpieces) and AR (Audio Rarities) were used mostly on the earlier releases.  Some of the early releases were on 10” vinyl LPs while the later ones were on 12” LPs.

Many of this series were previously recorded performances of stars from the 30s and early 40s. A wide range of material was released. This series includes every thing from Vaudeville performers to radio transcriptions of Hitler, to the Beatles. This series seems mostly to be an effort to preserve historic performances.

Audio Fidelity 7" 45 recordings

Audio Fidelity released quite a number of 45s.  It appears that most of these were used as “white label” promo gifts to radio station disk jockeys. Some did have heavy colorful picture jackets.  It appears that most but perhaps not all of the tracks on the 45s also were on released 12” albums.

 Most of the 7" 45s were released with a catalog number with a "45" prefix and a 3 number suffix but some were released with an "AF" prefix. For purposes of manipulating data in this database all 7" 45s are listed with a "45-" prefix.

Audio Fidelity 7” 33 recordings

Audio Fidelity released a number 7" 33 records produced especially for Juke Boxes.  These were produced with one track per side and came in sets of 6 with printed-paper inserts for the Juke Box windows.  Since these were released with the same exact catalog number as the Stereo record equivalent, a "J" has been added to these catalog numbers to keep them separate in this database.

AF-18607 and AF-18837 were also 7” 33s

Audio Fidelity of Brazil released a series of 7” 33s. These have a prefix of "AFC" or "AFCS" and usually have two tracks per side.  These do not appear to have also been released on 12” LPs. 

Audio Fidelity Stereo Tapes

Shortly before the release of the first stereo records, AF was recording on stereo master tapes.  Some of these were used to produce early stereo reel-to-reel tapes. A/F tapes had a prefix of “AFST”, “DFST”, or “FCST” with a 7 1/2 ips speed. Both 2 and 4 track tapes on 7" reels were produced.

Ampex also released A/F recordings under their own Ampex brand. Ampex released 4 track 7" reels at 7 1/2 ips with prefixes of  “AFC”, “AFX,” or “AFL”.  The Ampex tapes used A/F artwork for slightly different boxes. 

Tucker Productions Inc. released some 5" reel-to-reel 3 3/4 ips tapes using the same prefixes and catalog numbers as the stereo vinyl records. To avoid confusion, these Tucker tapes have had a "T" added to the catalog number, in this database, to avoid confusion with the vinyl records.  During the Audiofidelity Enterprises era, 8 Track Tapes, Cassette Tapes, and a few CDs were also released.

Audiofidelity Enterprises Distributor releases

Under Phoenix, Audio Fidelity distributed or released under Enja, Black Lion, Thimble, JazzBird, Knockout, Mr. G, Holiday Records, Basf/MPS, Country 10, Parallax, Audio 10, Amberjack, DFS Records, Pye Records, Nutmeg, Bellaphon, Image Records, Mainstream 10, Gryphon, Ashtree and Strata-East with the Audiofidelity Enterprises name on the jackets or labels.  Each has its own numbering system.

Broadcast Programmer AFBP Series

A short series of 12” 33s were released for the express purpose of promoting them with radio stations.  AFBP-1 and AFBP-2 each had 12 tracks from 12 different albums.  The allowed a broadcaster to sample offerings from 24 different A/F albums.  Each disk was supplied with a folding printed menu for disk jockeys to note play times or comments.

Classical Series

A series of stereo classical recordings that originated in Europe performed by European orchestras and artists.  The catalog numbers used a prefix of “FCS” followed by a 5-digit number. This database contains FCS-50,001 to FCS-50-081.  Boxed sets use FCS followed by a 2-digit number.  A 7” reel-to-reel tape, FCST-50-003 exists.

Dauntless DM and DS

While Dauntless was listed as a distributor of the earliest Kinor recording in 1951, it later re-surfaced as a division of Audio Fidelity and had its own series of lower cost records with a prefix of “DM” for mono and “DS” for stereo followed by a 4-digit number.  The DM series started with DM-4301.  The DS series started with DS-4601 but after DS-4603 started to add 2000 to the DM number resulting in DS-6304 to DS-6313.

Doctored for Super Sound / Super Stereo

The “Doctored Series” used a prefix of DFM for Mono and DFS for Stereo followed by a 4-digit number. Early jacket graphics featured a picture of a hypodermic needle to emphasize the “Doctored” theme.

The series contains much dance music as well as many "Sound Effect" recordings. There were at least 21 "Sound Effects" albums in this series.

Many were initially available in gatefold jackets and later in standard jackets.  Some of the artists and tracks were also released under an AFLP/AFSD catalog number.  Many collectors prized the "Racing" and "Military" titles.

Production started in 1960. New titles were added into the mid 1970s. At least one was also manufactured by Capitol Records and had a Capitol number on the jacket and disk. They continued to be pressed under Audio Fidelity Inc., Audio Fidelity Records Inc, and Audiofidelity Enterprises Inc.  Some of the sound effect titles were later released in a boxed set under the "DFS" label.

At least 5 of the titles were also released as "Reel-to-Reel" stereo tapes. Stereo tapes were usually released in both 3 3/4 ips and 7 1/2 ips and in 2 or 4 track versions and had a “DFST” prefix.

The gaps in the catalog numbers indicate that this listing is almost certainly incomplete and will be updated when new information becomes available

Other Audio Fidelity Corporate labels

At various times, Audio Fidelity purchased or started other companies.  Chiaroscuro and Tiger Tail were two of these.  A/F Chiaroscuro releases with a prefix of “CR” followed by a 3-digit number were previously sold under the independent Chiaroscuro label.  Releases with “CR” and a 4-digit number were previously recorded by A/F.  CR-106 to CR-188 and CR-2003 to CR-2009 were released during A/F ownership.  Later Chiaroscuro was purchased back by two of its original owners.             

Tiger Tail children’s records were produced by Audio Fidelity Records.  They had a prefix of “TIG” followed by a 4-digit number.  Each record jacket included a die-cut jigsaw puzzle on the rear.  The known range of numbers includes TIG-X202, TIG-X102 and TIG-2001 to TIG-2041.

Radio Shack offered A/F recordings under the “Realistic” brand but also with an A/F identity.  These were mostly 3 or 2 LP box sets but there were a few singles.  The catalog numbers had a prefix of “50” followed by a 4-digit number.  The known number range includes 50-1971 to 50-7777.

Korvette Department Stores offered A/F recordings under their name and also an A/F identity similar to Radio Shack.  Only six boxed sets of 3 are known at the time of writing.  They have a prefix of  “ASK” followed by a 3-digit number.  Known numbers range from ASK-101 to ASK-106.

Picture Disks

 

Audiofidelity Enterprises released picture disks.  The catalog numbers had a prefix of “PD” followed by a 3 to 5- digit number.  The disks had pictures are and text printed directly on the vinyl and were sold in a clear vinyl jacket.

 

Foreign releases

Many of the original AF releases were manufactured and released by companies in foreign countries usually with different catalog numbers. The UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Holland, Mexico, Australia, Japan, Israel and Canada are some of those.  Phono-Disk of Canada was very prolific. Audio Fidelity of Brazil recorded and pressed many of the early Bossa Nova records that became collector's items in the USA. Some of the Brazil recordings were pressed on 7" 33 disks and are seldom seen in the US. Audio Fidelity of Argentina also recorded and released some records that were released in the US.