Vinyl pressings
by Bert Jansch · 1973
Moonshine was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
K 44225 A2 PORKY A 1Runout side 1, variant 1
K 44225 B2 PECKO A 0Runout side 2, variant 1
K 44225 A2 PORKY A 2Runout side 1, variant 2
K 44225 B2 PECKO A 2Runout side 2, variant 2
T MS-2129 31546-1-2Side A, etched, starts at 1 o'clock
T MS-2129 31457-1-2>Side B, etched, starts around 5 o'clock
1S MS-2129 31546-A 1ASide A runout
S1 MS-2129 31547-B > 1BSide B runout
MS-2129 P 31546-1 X ASide A runout
MS-2129 31547-1 > X PSide B runout
MS-2129 31546-A 1ASide A runout, variant 1
MS-2129 31547-B > 1ASide B runout, variant 1
S 1 MS-2129 31546-A 1A A 1Side A runout, variant 2
1 S MS-2129 31547-B > 1A A 1Side B runout, variant 2
MX169167 MS-2129-1Side A runout
MX169168 MS-2129-2Side B runout
MX169167Side A label
MX169168Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2129First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Reprise Records RS 2129First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | Reprise Records KNC 44225First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Reprise Records K 44225LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1973 | US | Reprise Records MS 2129First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Reprise Records MS 2129First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Reprise Records MS 2129First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Reprise Records MS 2129First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Reprise Records K 44225First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Australia | Reprise Records MS 2129First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | UK | Earth EARTHLP005LLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | UK | Earth EARTHLP005LP, Album, Reissue, White Label | LP, Album, Reissue, White Label |
| 2015 | UK | Earth EARTHLP005LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc |
13 vinyl pressings of Moonshine are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1973 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Reprise Records K 44225, released February 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K 44225, MS 2129, RS 2129, KNC 44225) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K 44225 A2 PORKY A 1 and K 44225 B2 PECKO A 0. 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.
