Dig Records was originally called
Ultra Records.Ultra Records was formed in 1955 by
Frank Gallo,
Eddie Mesner,
Leo Mesner and
Johnny Otis in Los Angeles California. In February 1956, the name of the label was changed to Dig Records, probably because of the existence of another record company called Ultra. The Mesner Brothers were also the owners of the
Aladdin Records label.
In 1957, Johnny Otis acquired sole ownership of the Dig Records Label. Dig Records officially issued 41 singles and 4 Long Play albums.
There were a few label variations on the company's 45 rpm issues. They are maroon with silver print, blue with silver print and pink with black print. Early Dig Records labels such as
Dig 107 had the name "DIG" in a block type lettering with serifs. Later issues starting around
Dig 110 sported a new label design with the letters "DIG" in three boxes. Around
Dig 115 blue labels with silver print started to appear along with the more familiar maroon and silver labels. Starting around
Dig 125 a third color scheme, a pink label with black print, appeared. By the time
Dig 129 was released, the pink label with black print seemed to be the only color scheme used.
Many of the rare issues on the DIG and Ultra Records labels have been reproduced/counterfeited. Generally the label printing and logo details are not as clear as originals, and the trail-off area in the vinyl is narrower on the fakes due to modern pressing techniques. Caution should be used when paying high prices for records offered as original pressings.
The
Dig Records (Bootleg} label manufactured 5 singles with songs and record numbers that were never officially released by Dig Records.
There were never any Dig or Ultra Records issues offically pressed on colored vinyl.