Vinyl pressings
by Grace Slick · 1973
Manhole 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.
8 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 4 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.
BFL1-0347 A 5S RIGHT SIDE UP TML I A1A-side runout, Variant 1
BFL1-0347B 6S UPSIDE DOWN TML I A2B-side runout, Variant 1
BFL 1-0347 A 5S RIGHT SIDE UP TML - I A2ZA-Side runout, Variant 2
BFL1-0347B 6S UPSIDE DOWN TML I - A1WB-Side runout, Variant 2
BFL1-0347A-1s RIGHT SIDE UP [TLC logo] ʌ1A-side runout
BFL1-0347B-1s UPSIDE DOWN [TLC logo] -I ʌ1B-side runout
BFL1-0347-AA-side label
BFL1-0347-BB-side label
BFL1-0347A 7S RIGHT SIDE UP TML HA-side runout
BFL1-0347B 7S UPSIDE DOWN TML HB-side runout
BFL1-0347-AA-side label
BFL1-0347-BB-side label
BFL1-0347-A Manufactured in GermanyRunout side A, stamped
BFL1-0347-B Manufactured in GermanyRunout side B, stamped
BFL 1-0347-ALabel side A
BFL 1-0347-BLabel side B
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 | Germany | Grunt BFL1-0347 / Grunt BFL 1-0347 (FTR)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Israel | Grunt BFL1-0347First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Spain | Grunt BFL1-0347 / Grunt GRUNT 0598First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Grunt BFL1-0347First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Grunt DJL1-0347First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Grunt BXL1-0347First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Grunt BFL1-0347First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Grunt BFL1-0347First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Grunt BFL1-0347 / Grunt BFL 1-0347 (FTR)LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1974 | Germany | Grunt BFL1-0347 (FTR)LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Italy | Grunt BFL1-0347LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | Grunt RCA-6192LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Grunt BFL1 - 0347 / Grunt BFLI 0347LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Italy | Grunt BFL1-0347LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Italy | Grunt BFL1 0347LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | France | Grunt BFL1-0347LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Italy | RCA YL 13736 / Grunt YL 13736LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | RCA YL 13736 / Grunt YL 13736LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | UK | Retroworld FLOATLP6095LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Grunt AYL1-3736LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Grunt AYL1-3736LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Grunt FL80347LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | RCA NL 13736LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Grunt BFL1-0347 / Grunt 26.21351LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Grunt BFL1-0347 / Grunt 26.21351LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Grunt BFL 1-0347 / Grunt 26.21351LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Grunt AYL1-3736LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Grunt AYL1-3736LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Grunt AYL1-3736LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Grunt AYL1-3736LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
32 vinyl pressings of Manhole are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1973 and 2012.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Germany, Israel, Spain. One of them is Grunt BFL1-0347.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BFL1-0347, BXL1-0347, DJL1-0347) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BFL1-0347 A 5S RIGHT SIDE UP TML I A1 and BFL1-0347B 6S UPSIDE DOWN TML I A2. 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.
