laser etched LP's sound quality?

[Holy Zoo]

Remeber these? I've only seen a few... Styx Paradise Theater comes to mind...

My question: did sound quality suffer because of the laser etching? Indeed, how the heck did they do it? Was the laquer laser etched before or after it's cut on the lathe?

[Chip Stylus]

I have a 45 and an lp by Split Enz done this way (have also heard the soundtrack for Superman 3) and it does not appear to be more than a superficial process, way too high in the groove for you to pick up.

If you could hear the laser etching, I'd think you'd also hear the "horns", the part of the groove displaced as it is cut. Some labels, like WB in the late 70's - early 80's, did not "de-horn" their lacquers before plating and the result is an lp that looks scuffed when all you did was remove it from the paper sleeve once or twice.

[Elton]

Is that why Paradise Theater came in a plastic sleeve?

[John Buchanan]

I had Split Enz' "True Colours" on vinyl with the laser etching. No surface noise resulted. Looked excellent.

[Uncle Al]

Still have that Split Enz lp. Still sounds great.