Pipeline by the Chantays

The 45 was released in 1962 on Downey, then picked up by Dot and rereleased in 1963. From dubs on YouTube, the two appear to be the same. Both start with some intro rumbling before the first guitar note. Both are in mono. Sadly, the mono version is unavailable on CD.

There are plenty of stereo versions on CD, though. All start with the intro rumbling, unless noted. Discogs lists a stereo version of the 1963 Pipeline, LP, but I don't know what's on it.

The oldest CD I have with "Pipeline" is MCA's Vintage Music Vols. 7 And 8 (1986). Steve Hoffman remixed a few tracks for the Vintage Music series, but I don't know if this stereo version is a vintage mix, or a Vintage mix. The same analog transfer is used on:

• MCA's CD3 Summer Oldies (1988)
• Rhino's Surfin' Hits (1989) - cuts off intro rumbling
• Rhino's promo Rock Instrumental Classics Vols. 1-5 Sampler (PRCD 7043, 1994) - cuts off intro rumbling
• Rhino's Cowabunga The Surf Box (1996) - cuts off intro rumbling
• TJL Ventures/UMe's Beach Music Classics Volume 3 (2016) - cuts off intro rumbling, mastered too loud and clips a lot; avoid
• TM Century track no. 00000198

There's a new analog transfer on Time-Life's Rock 'N Roll Era Vol. 7 1963 (1988). The same analog transfer is used on:

• JCI's Surfin' Sixties (1993)

There's another new analog transfer on Rhino's Rock Instrumental Classics Vol. 5 Surf (1994). The same analog transfer is used on:

• Rhino's Billboard Top Hits 1963 (1994)
• Time-Life's Rock 'N' Roll Era Vol. 51 The Great Rock 'N' Roll Instrumentals (1996)

There's another new analog transfer on Ace UK's Teen Beat Vol. 3 (1996). The same analog transfer is used on:

• Time-Life's 2-CD Glory Days Of Rock 'N' Roll Vol. 14 Instrumentals (2000)
• Time-Life's 2-CD Rock And Roll The Legendary Years 1961-1964 (2004)
• Mark M's unofficial collection Instrumental Hits Of The '60s 1963 (unreleased)

All of the above sound surprisingly good. Aside from the TJL disc being mastered too loud, the discs all have roughly the same sound quality. All have seemingly low-generation source tapes, great dynamic range, nice EQ, and no evidence on the fade of any added noise reduction.

If I had to recommend one, I'd go with Rhino's Rock Instrumental Classics Vol. 5 Surf (1994), just because it retains the most tape hiss at the end of the fade.

Edited by crapfromthepast

At least the following 2 cd's do not have the rumble on the
intro: Top Hits Of The Sixties - Enormous Hits Collectables
9657 and When Rock & Roll Was Young Collectables 1393.

Pat - Until someone confirms what's on the vinyl LP...

I'll bet a shiny new nickel that cutting off the rumbling intro is a mastering error that first appeared on Rhino's Surfin' Hits (1989). Could be a goof at MCA in supplying the tape to Rhino, or could be a goof at Rhino.

Curious to see how this plays out.