Se7en said:

squirrelgrease said:

I knew what you meant. I was just referencing the whole "internet is dead" thing. As Prince items go, The Black(1994) album CD isn't rare enough that counterfeiters are making fakes yet, like Goldnigga, Apollonia 6, Jill Jones, Mazarati, The Family and the Madhouse discs.

No matter how much research I did, I would never feel comfortable buying these online. The chance of getting a fake is MUCH too high. Who knew back then that they'd be so valuable now?!

Okay, besides the whole moral issue about buying the fake CD's... for someone who just want to hear the music... is it really that bad to buy and listen to a fake?

I have heard of some Black album fakes that had totally wrong song list or album art. But for a really good copy that you have to really really know the original to tell it is a fake (ie, the font used in fake is different than genuine)..

If you just wanted to hear the music... are the fakes that inferior that you would be missing hearing something that is present on an geniune article?

I want to buy the Black CD but fear getting a fake. Yet I can't afford the crazy prices of the ones I am sure are the real article (d/t attention of hardcore collectors, and the asking price)

So, I am considering completing my own collection with a Black CD that will most likely be a fake.

prodigalfan said:

Se7en said:

No matter how much research I did, I would never feel comfortable buying these online. The chance of getting a fake is MUCH too high. Who knew back then that they'd be so valuable now?!

Okay, besides the whole moral issue about buying the fake CD's... for someone who just want to hear the music... is it really that bad to buy and listen to a fake?

I have heard of some Black album fakes that had totally wrong song list or album art. But for a really good copy that you have to really really know the original to tell it is a fake (ie, the font used in fake is different than genuine)..

If you just wanted to hear the music... are the fakes that inferior that you would be missing hearing something that is present on an geniune article?

I want to buy the Black CD but fear getting a fake. Yet I can't afford the crazy prices of the ones I am sure are the real article (d/t attention of hardcore collectors, and the asking price)

So, I am considering completing my own collection with a Black CD that will most likely be a fake.

All of those fake, or bootleg copies of The Black Album were made between 1987 and 1994. None were made after that because the legit one hit the market and the need for a boot of that particular CD wasn't there anymore. I have three Black Album boot CDs and another one which is actually not Prince, but a German group covering the entire album, pretty much note-for-note. That last one was released prior to the legit 1994 CD as well.

One of my boots actually sounds just as good as the 1994 issue. So, in that regard, getting a boot wouldn't be the end of the world. That said, real 1994 copies are easy to spot, because the boots were not even close to replicating the legit artwork - as ridiculous as that sounds - how hard would it have been to make an identical package of a simplistic orange and black disc and a plain black booklet? Too hard, I guess.

Most boots are misspelled and/or have extra tracks.

So, don't sweat getting snookered into buying a fake Black Album, as there are far more real ones available than those old boots now and with a little research, you'll be able to identify the real deal. For instance, if you see one with a gold foil "Promo Only" stamp on the booklet, it's legit - use that as a reference. Other than that stamp, the non-promo copies are identical.

Another perfect indicator would be the official sticker on the front of the tray. I posted a pic on page 1 of this thread. Most copies of the 94 you will find on ebay still have it, and i've never seen a bootleg with that sticker.

On the sound-of-bootlegs thing, i have that almost-identical looking vinyl bootleg (the one which says "Rockard" etc.) and i can't really hear a difference to my official 94 vinyl.

prodigalfan said:

Se7en said:

No matter how much research I did, I would never feel comfortable buying these online. The chance of getting a fake is MUCH too high. Who knew back then that they'd be so valuable now?!

Okay, besides the whole moral issue about buying the fake CD's... for someone who just want to hear the music... is it really that bad to buy and listen to a fake?

I have heard of some Black album fakes that had totally wrong song list or album art. But for a really good copy that you have to really really know the original to tell it is a fake (ie, the font used in fake is different than genuine)..

If you just wanted to hear the music... are the fakes that inferior that you would be missing hearing something that is present on an geniune article?

I want to buy the Black CD but fear getting a fake. Yet I can't afford the crazy prices of the ones I am sure are the real article (d/t attention of hardcore collectors, and the asking price)

So, I am considering completing my own collection with a Black CD that will most likely be a fake.

Like Squirrelgrease said, the odds of getting a fake Black Album aren't that high . . . it's in buying the other protege albums that you'd most likely get ripped off.

It's not a "moral" issue of buying a fake, it's the financial one. I'd hate to spend good money on a CD-R copy, no matter how good it is. I'd rather get the songs in FLAC online and make my own for free than to buy a fake CD. NOW, having said that, I would rather go the honest route and buy the official CDs.

FunkyDissCo said:

Another perfect indicator would be the official sticker on the front of the tray. I posted a pic on page 1 of this thread. Most copies of the 94 you will find on ebay still have it, and i've never seen a bootleg with that sticker.

On the sound-of-bootlegs thing, i have that almost-identical looking vinyl bootleg (the one which says "Rockard" etc.) and i can't really hear a difference to my official 94 vinyl.

My US commercial Black Album CD (1994) had the sticker attached to the shrink wrap, so this may or may not have been discarded by the purchaser. I kept my sticker because I'm anal like that. My US Promo CD (1994) also had no sticker affixed to the case or booklet. I think some countries that don't usually shrink wrap had an adhered sticker.

^^OK, agree..

This way round you're right, but the other way round, IF you have a copy with the sticker, you can be sure it's legit.

prodigalfan said:

Thanks everyone. I am going to finally get the black cd. I will probably go with amazon. I don't like the competitiveness of eBay.

Cool. Good luck.

You might as well get a good used copy vs a "new" non-sealed copy to save some money. Keep an eye out for obvious bootlegs like this:

$22.88 + $2.98shipping

Used - Very Good

Seller: bigalgie Rating:(4671 ratings) 98% positive over the past 12 months. In Stock. Ships from WA, United States. Expedited shipping available. International & domes...ping rates and return policy. Original 1988 release with fold out one sheet cover art featuring Prince in purple outfit -- 10 fantastic tracks (more than the 8 noted in this listing!) -- NO outer sleeve or covering over jewel case -- EXCELLENT condition -- small run times noted in pen after 3 tracks ONLY on back side of cover art, otherwise nearly LIKE NEW!! GREAT disc in original jewel case with all inserts and art!! NO other marks whatsoever!! Ready to ship NOW from Seattle, WA via USPS FIRST CLASS MAIL!! « Show less

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squirrelgrease said:

prodigalfan said:

Thanks everyone. I am going to finally get the black cd. I will probably go with amazon. I don't like the competitiveness of eBay.

Cool. Good luck.

You might as well get a good used copy vs a "new" non-sealed copy to save some money. Keep an eye out for obvious bootlegs like this:

$22.88 + $2.98shipping

Used - Very Good

Seller: bigalgie Rating:(4671 ratings) 98% positive over the past 12 months. In Stock. Ships from WA, United States. Expedited shipping available. International & domes...ping rates and return policy. Original 1988 release with fold out one sheet cover art featuring Prince in purple outfit -- 10 fantastic tracks (more than the 8 noted in this listing!) -- NO outer sleeve or covering over jewel case -- EXCELLENT condition -- small run times noted in pen after 3 tracks ONLY on back side of cover art, otherwise nearly LIKE NEW!! GREAT disc in original jewel case with all inserts and art!! NO other marks whatsoever!! Ready to ship NOW from Seattle, WA via USPS FIRST CLASS MAIL!! « Show less

or Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.

Nice one! Prince in a purple outfit indeed!

why would these poor quality bootlegs even fetch any price? I have all of them... and consider them worthless now!

FunkyDissCo said:

Yeah, and what do you think does that show? The Gold Experience on CD isn't a rare item either.

I disagree with this. The Gold Experience is out of print and a bit more difficult to find than albums that have be re-released.

jone70 said:

FunkyDissCo said:

Yeah, and what do you think does that show? The Gold Experience on CD isn't a rare item either.

I disagree with this. The Gold Experience is out of print and a bit more difficult to find than albums that have be re-released.

This was my most expensive find at the fye store. It was $20.99 and since I had never seen it in the used section I bought it. I am glad that I did because I have not seen it since.

Paid less than 4 bucks for my mint (stickered) CD copy, can't remember the exact price though.

GE is gettting harder to find. I had to get mine from Gemm records. I think my copy came from Great Britain.

this was 3 years ago. Ebay was way to expensive.