FREDLO RECORDS RARE 200 ACETATES Test Pressings 45's

$

723

Fredlo Acetate Sampler by The Real Ragged Records

Please read about S&H of this lot.   This is a heavy fragile lot that will take pads between each record, double boxing and plenty of packing in order to ship properly.  We would prefer pickup, but will ship anywhere in the world if necessary.  Read about S&H at the end of the listing.  

Fredlo Records started in Moline, Illinois, in the late 1940’s.  In the mid-1950’s they moved across the Mississippi River to Davenport, Iowa, where they stayed until closing in the 1970’s.  Fredlo Records was owned and operated by husband and wife Fred and Lois Mauck.  They operated as a recording studio as well as a record label.  The Davenport location was also their home, with the studio on the first floor and their home on the second floor. 

Fredlo recorded and released hundreds of rare and desireable 45’s and LP’s from the late 1950’s through the early 1970’s.  Their numbering system was four digits.  For example, #6243.  ‘62’ stand for the year – 1962.  ‘43’ stands for the 43rd recorded record in that (1962) year.  This is most often, though not always, the case.  Some Fredlo 45’s have recently topped $1,000.00 in the secondary market.  There are many rare LP’s as well, from artists such as the Rebs, Grandma’s Rockers, and The Contents Are.  The last The Contents Are LP sold for over $4,000.00.

It is said that Fredlo released Iowa’s first rock and roll single in 1959 – Jerry Martin’s “Janet”.  With the rare collection of acetates we have just unearthed, we have found that there were other rockers and boppers recorded prior to and at the same time as “Janet”.

What we are offering is a once in a lifetime chance to own a piece of rock and roll history.  There is 200 acetates, test pressings and stock 45’s, many rare and unreleased from the 1950’s through the late 1960’s.  The music ranges from rock and roll, rockabilly, country, country boppers, teeners, doo wop, blues, jazz, garage, psychadelic, male and female vocals, surf, instrumentals, big band, orchestras, hispanic, and radio commercials.  About everything you can think of! 

Most of the acetates that are not numbered or marked in any way.  This makes identifying difficult.  Some are numbered but never actually pressed or released on record.  Some have hand written titles.  I have played some for local Fredlo collectors and we were able to identify some of these.  Some examples of this are – a four song EP numbered 6311.  Two of the songs are from a released 45 by The Escorts; the other two songs are obviously The Escorts but were never released.    There is a 7” acetate with a track that was released on Fredlo by the “ The Guys Who Came Downstairs” , but it seems to be a different take.  Another 7” acetate we believe to be The Dimensions.  It includes three instrumentals and a vocal cover of “What I Say”.

As I said, it is widely held that in 1959, “Janet”, by Jerry Martin, was the first rock and roll record recorded in Iowa.  To the contrary, we have rock and roll acetates as early as 1956.  Number 5648 contains three tracks including, “Hound Dog”, “Be-Bop-a-Lula”, and “Heartbreak Hotel”.    There is a one-sided rockabilly acetate numbered 6028 (unreleased) with a great guitar break.  It could be Jerry Martin or The Rebs.

One of my favorites is a rocker (unmarked) about a “girl who looks like Frankenstein”.  There are many acetates containing commercials for drive-in theatres, including a great one with several commercials for “Hells Angels on Wheels”.  We found some for John Deere tractors, which makes sense since they are headquartered in Moline, Illinois.  There is a great early 1960’s novelty song about voting for Nixon (he lost), and other political messages. 

This lot of rare acetates are mostly on ‘audiodiscs’.  It seems to be what they used almost exclusively at Fredlo.  Some have Fredlo Records test press labels, most do not.  There are a few that have duplicates.  In some cases, there are one or two acetates of full songs and maybe one or two with outtakes or alternate takes.  There are some regular issue releases in this lot.  These include 2 (unplayed) original copies of The Nightmares ’45, Fredlo #6007.  We have recently sold a couple of these on eBay for around $125.00 each.  Also, 2 original (unplayed) copies of The Valiants, Fredlo #6208 – great doo wop.  There are a couple of (unplayed) copies of Al Jenness, Fredlo #5902.  There is an unplayed copy of Frankie Lee and The Swingmasters.  There is one original copy of Fredlo #6012, Ernie Freeman Quartet, with a test press.  This ’45 includes Tony Bellson on drums (Louie’s brother).

Condition varies due to the fact that they have been stored in a damp basement and are very dirty.  Most are in are in very good condition. They were most likely never played but due to the way they were stored and they are acetates, there is background noise on most.  All are playable to excellent. 

This is an excellent opportunity for a record label that deals in re-issues or a collector who wants that once in a lifetime purchase of American music history.   SHIPPING:  Due to the fragile nature of these rare records, the consignor would prefer pickup.   However we will ship worldwide if necessary.  Overseas S&H and insurance will be $350.00 and shipped in 2 boxes.

Questions?  Please contact Ragged Records by email or phone (563/324-3579).  Thank you for your interest!