Vinyl pressings
by Bar-Kays · 1971
Black Rock was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 6 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
VS-0153 (MR) Mastercraft Memphis HC △15438Runout etching side A, (MR) logo stamped
VS-0154 (MR) M HC △15438-XRunout etching side B. (MR) logo stamped
VS-0153Label side A
VS-0154Label side B
VS-0153 (MR) Mastercraft Memphis HC △15438Runout etching side A, (MR) logo stamped
VS-0154 (MR) M HC △15438-XRunout etching side B. (MR) logo stamped
VS-0153Label side A
VS-0154Label side B
VS-0153 (Stamped) Mastercraft Memphis HC (Etched)Variant 1 Side A etched/stamped
VS-0154 (Stamped) M HC (Etched)Variant 1 Side B etched/stamped
P VS-0153 I 9 Mastercraft Memphis HC 1 AVariant 2 Side A etched/stamped
P VS-0154 I M HC A CVariant 2 Side B etched/stamped
T 1 VS-0153-2 Mastercraft Memphis HCRunout etching side A
T 1 VS-0154-1 M HCRunout etching side B. (MR) logo stamped
VS-0153Label side A
VS-0154Label side B
VS-0153 Mastercraft Memphis HCRunout etching side A
STXS-0397-1 VS-0154 VOS-6011 Side 2 SONRunout etching side B
VS-0153Label side A
VS-0154Label side B
VM-0155Side A label
VM-0156Side B label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | Volt VOS-6011First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Stax 2325 035First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Stax 2325 035First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Stax 2325 035First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Spain | Volt S-21.339 / Volt S-21339First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | Stax 2362 003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Volt VOS-6011First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Volt VOM 6011First yearLP, Album, Mono, Promo · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Promo · Promo, Mono |
| 1971 | US | Volt VOS 6011First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Volt VOS-6011First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Volt VOS-6011First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Volt VOS-6011First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Volt VOS-6011First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Israel | Stax 2325 035LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of Black Rock are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Volt VOS-6011.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VOS-6011, VOM 6011, VOS 6011, 2362 003) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS-0153 (MR) Mastercraft Memphis HC △15438 and VS-0154 (MR) M HC △15438-X. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
