Vinyl pressings
by Cold Blood · 1973
Thriller! 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.
14 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.
MS 2130 31548-1C 1T A7Runout, Etched, Side A, variant 1
MS 2130 31549-1C 1T A8Runout, Etched, Side B, variant 1
MS 2130 31548-1C 1T 1VRunout, Etched, Side A, variant 2
MS 2130 31549-1C 1T 5ARunout, Etched, Side B, variant 2
P MS 2130 31548-1F A1Side A runout, etched / stamped
P MS 2130 31549-1ESide B runout, etched / stamped
31,548Side A label
31,549Side B label
MS 2130 31548-1FRunout, Etched, Side I
MS 2130 31549-1ERunout, Etched, Side II
31,548Label, Side I
31,549Label, Side II
MS 2130 31548-1B A SRunout Side A, variant 1
MS 2130 31549-1A BRunout Side B, variant 1
MS 2130 31548-1ERunout Side A, variant 3
MS 2130 31549-1ERunout Side B, variant 3
MS 2130 31548 1C 1T D5Runout, Etched, Side I
MS 2130 31549 1C 1T A9Runout, Etched, Side II
MS 2130 31548-1B ASide 1 runouts, etched
MS 2130 31549-1B BSide 2 runouts, etched
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 | Australia | Reprise Records MS 2130First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2130First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | Reprise Records P-8338RFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Reprise Records P-8338RFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records GX 01-633First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Reprise Records RS 2130First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Reprise Records MS 2130First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Reprise Records MS 2130First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Reprise Records MS 2130First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Reprise Records MS 2130First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Reprise Records MS 2130First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Reprise Records MS 2130First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Reprise Records MS 2130First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1973 | US | Reprise Records MS 2130First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1973 | US | Reprise Records MS 2130LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Reprise Records MS 2130LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
16 vinyl pressings of Thriller! are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Australia, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Reprise Records MS 2130.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MS 2130, P-8338R, GX 01-633, RS 2130) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MS 2130 31548-1C 1T A7 and MS 2130 31549-1C 1T A8. 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.
