Custom Fidelity (Label)

Custom record mastering and pressing facility in Hollywood, California (USA), founded in 1957 by Dave Berkus. For the associated label see Custom Fidelity Records.

The company was specialized in short-run high quality pressings, mostly for local colleges and small firms. In 1967 a professional audio equipment sales division was formed that catered to studios across the country. In 1970 a special products group was formed to package oldies for radio stations. (This was intended to provide more business during the non-school months.)

Identifying marks are an etched CF or a stamped logo (see pictures) in the runouts. Pressing ring size is 73mm (1962-1975).

In the early 1970s a new mastering process was introduced, using a Neumann VMS-70 computerized lathe with Neumann SX-68 cutterhead and amplifier for tape-to-disc transfer.

Engineers known to have worked here (and their signatures):
- Bill Wysock (WCW): mixing, mastering;
- Jack Williams (2): recording;
- Mike Levey (3) (M.L.): mastering, mentioned as chief in 1972;
- Spence Hollinger (SH): re-mixing;
- Terry More (THM or TM): mastering, re-mixing;
- Wes Dooley: recording, mentioned as chief in 1968.

Custom Fidelity had associations with studios and independent engineers throughout the United States. Sometimes the runouts also feature codes indicating the provenance of the recording. Some of these associates (and their codes) include:
- Alex Hassilev Studio/West Knoll Recording Studio (WK);
- Custom Fidelity Associates, Cincinnati, Oh;
- Dwight Crumb (DC).