Vinyl pressings
by Dweezil Zappa · 1988
My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama... was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 7 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.
BFV 41633 A DMM C1 G2 STERLING TJ A4Side A runout, etched, variant 1
BFV 41633 B DMM C1 G3 STERLING TJ A1Side B runout, etched, variant 1
BFV 41633 A DMM C1 G4 STERLING TJ C6Side A runout, etched, variant 2
BFV 41633 B DMM C1 G3 STERLING TJ F6Side B runout, etched, variant 2
BFV 41633 A DMM C1 G2 STERLING TJSide A runout - etched
BFV 41633 B DMM C1 G3 STERLING TJSide B runout - etched
SPIRY - CHR 1633 A IS - 1A2Side A
SPIRY - CHR 1633 B IS - 1A3Side B
CHR 1633 A1 O AA-side runout var 2, etched; O and A stamped.
CHR 1633 B1 O AB-side runout var 2, etched; O and A stamped.
DMX-70097 W2ASide A runout - etched
DMX-70098 W2ASide B runout - etched
SMX-70097 (ZCHR 1633)Side A label
SMX-70098 (ZCHR 1633)Side B label
AL 41633Side A runout - etched
BL 41633Side B runout - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | Chrysalis 120-003 / CBS 120-003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Argentina | Chrysalis 120-003LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Australia | Chrysalis L 38922First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | France | Chrysalis 834 535-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Germany | Chrysalis 208 992First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Italy | Chrysalis CHR 1633First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | Italy | Chrysalis CHR 1633First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1633First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Chrysalis BFV 41633First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Chrysalis BFV 41633First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Australia | Chrysalis L 38922 / Chrysalis L-38922First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | US | Chrysalis 41633LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
12 vinyl pressings of My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama... are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1988 and 2012.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, Australia, Argentina and more. One of them is Chrysalis BFV 41633.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BFV 41633, CHR 1633, L 38922, 120-003) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BFV 41633 A DMM C1 G2 STERLING TJ A4 and BFV 41633 B DMM C1 G3 STERLING TJ A1. 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.
