David Hancock

American recording, mastering/ lacquer cutting engineer, and pianist (January 24th, 1927 - 2001).
His lacquer cuts can be identified by DH (early cuts) or DBH (boxed) etched into the runouts. His work is usually seen on labels from the northeast U.S. such as ESP Disk, Prestige, Composers Recordings Inc. (CRI), Monitor Records, Folkways Records, Music Minus One, Musical Heritage Society, as well as other local/small labels. He also worked with engineer Peter Bartok.
Early in his career, he used an Ampex 350. In the late 1970s, David was using a Studer A80. During recording, David used RCA 44A (MI3025A and MI3026A) microphones. He also used Cambridge C-3 microphones modified by Charles FIsher. In the studio, a Van Eps lathe was used with an amplifier modified by Dave Sarser.
Runouts contain identifying symbols that can be used to determine a month/year of cutting based on the following:
(Approx 1953-1955)
"DH" with no "T" or accompanying number - O' Lovely Appearance of Death (US 1953) (opens in a new tab), Drums Of The Yoruba Of Nigeria (US) (opens in a new tab)
(Approx. 1955-1960)
T xx - T followed by 1-2 digit number, up to about T78. Numbers are in chronological order, see examples below
(Approx 1960-1966)
2-3 digit number without "T" marking, 73 up to about 152. Numbers are in chronological order, see examples below
Numbering/date examples (assuming release 1-2 months after production, compare with Billboard release dates):
T#2/T#3 - Handful Of Keys (US 1956) (opens in a new tab) (VRS-8511) - 1956
3T - With Voices Together We Sing (US 1956) (opens in a new tab) - "Recorded Fall 1955"
T26 - Sings Ballads And Blues (US 1957) (opens in a new tab) (TLP 1010) - 11-21-57 etch
T42 - (MF 307) - 7-11-58/7-22-58, (MP 530) - 7-18-58, (EKL-154) - 7-17-58
T43 - [r19686619} (MF 308) - 8-9-58 etch
T66 - The Folk Song Tradition (US 1960) (opens in a new tab) (TSP2) - 9-2-59 etch
T67 - At The Gate Of Horn (US 1959) (opens in a new tab) (TLP 1036) - 9-22-59 etch
T69 - TLP 1025, 10-30-59 etch
96 (no "T") - The Real Flamenco (US 1960) (opens in a new tab) (TLP 1008 repress) - 11-30-60 etch
119 (no "T") - Piano Studies 338 (US 1962) (opens in a new tab) (Nyland 338) - 9-7-62 etch, Czech, Slovak And Moravian Folk Songs (US 1963) (opens in a new tab) (MF 389) - 11-30-62 etch
Miscellaneous symbols:
ORIG - David was the both recording and mastering engineer for the release (may appear on one side of the LP if he did not record the entire album). Examples - Symphonic Dances / Vocalise (US 1967) (opens in a new tab). Music For Computers, Electronic Sounds, And Players (US 1974) (opens in a new tab)
AX/BX or AN/BN - new lacquer cut (late 1950s to early 1960s). Example - "Moscow Nights" Popular Russian Hits (US 1962) (opens in a new tab)
ORT1 through ORT5 - Ortofon cutting equipment (1966-1968)
ANM - Capps ANM cutting equipment (1967- mid 1970s)
MP - (1967- mid 1980s)