Vinyl pressings
by Edwin Starr · 1968
Soul Master was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 2 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.
GLPS-931 HS-1522-2 H ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K W4RS-4698-1 ERunout side A
HS-1523-2. GLPS-931. S-2. dh. H W4RS-4699-1-ERunout side B
HS-1522-2Label side A
HS-1523-2Label side B
GLPS-931 HS-1522-2 W4RS-4698-1-Side A runout
GLPS-931 HS-1523-2 W4RS-4699-1Side B runout
HS-1522-2Side A label
W4RS-4698Side A label
GLPS-1522-2 HS-1522 R ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K W4RS-4698-1-BRunout A
HS-1523-2 GLPS-931 S-2 dh. R W4RS-4699-1-BRunout B
HS-1522-2Label A - Motown matrix
HS-1523-2Label B - Motown matrix
W4RS-4698-1-G D3 O HS-1522-2 GLPS-931 | S-1 T dh. ~Runout, side A, variant 1
W4RS-4699-1-G D3 O | HS-1523-2 GLPS-931 S-2 dh X ƧRunout, side B, variant 1
W4RS-4698-1-G A A 1 HS-1522-2 GLPS-931 | S-1 T dh. PRunout, side A, variant 2
W4RS-4699-1-G C 1 | HS-1523-2 GLPS-931 S-2 dh X PRunout, side B, variant 2
H-1522 W4RM-4920-1Matrix Side A, On Label
H-1523 W4RM-4921-1Matrix Side B, On 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Canada | Tamla Motown GOS 931First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Gordy 931 / Gordy S-931First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Gordy GLPS-931 / Gordy GORDY 931First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Gordy GS931 / Gordy 931First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Gordy GLP-931DJ / Gordy GS931First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1968 | US | Gordy GS931 / Gordy 931First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | US | Gordy 931 / Gordy GS 931First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11094LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Tamla Motown TML 11094LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Venezuela | Gordy LPS-77364 / Motown LPS-77364LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Gordy GLPS-931 / Gordy GS 931LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Soul Master are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1968 and 1970.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Canada. One of them is Gordy 931.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 931, GLPS-931, GS931, GLP-931DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GLPS-931 HS-1522-2 H ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K W4RS-4698-1 E and HS-1523-2. GLPS-931. S-2. dh. H W4RS-4699-1-E. 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.
