Vinyl pressings
by Herbie Mann · 1970
Muscle Shoals Nitty Gritty was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1970, 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.
ST-EM701897-AA MO (MR) LW AT Δ14835 GBSide A runout
ST-EM-701898-AA MO (MR) LW AT Δ14835-X GB WSide B runout
ST-EM-701897-MOSide A Label
ST-EM-701898-MOSide B Label
ST EM701897 CTH 2TSide A
ST EM701898 CTH 2T XSide B
ST-EM-701897 PRSide A Label
ST-EM-701898 PRSide B Label
ST-EM-701897 SPSide A Label
ST-EM-701898 SPSide B Label
S T EM701897-1A / CTH T ASide A runout, variant 1
S T EM701898-1A / CTH T ASide B runout, variant 1
S T EM701897-1A CTH 1 T A 7Side A runout, variant 2
S T EM701898-1A 1 CTH T A 6Side B runout, variant 2
ST EM701897-1B CTH 2TSide A, stamped
ST EM701897-A1 CTH | TSide B, stamped
ST-EM-701897CTHLabel, side A
ST-EM-701898CTHLabel, side B
ST-EM-701897-A LW AT aBSide A runout
ST-EM-701898-A LW AT aB WSide B runout
ST-EM-701897 PRSide A Label
ST-EM-701898 PRSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Canada | Embryo Records SD 526First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Canada | Embryo Records SD 526First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Japan | Embryo Records SD 526First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | South Africa | Atlantic ATRT 6008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Embryo Records SD 526LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1970 | US | Embryo Records SD 526First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Embryo Records SD 526First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Embryo Records SD 526First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Embryo Records SD 526First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Embryo Records SD 526First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Embryo Records SD 526LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1970 | US | Embryo Records SD 526First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Embryo Records SD 526First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Embryo Records SD 526First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | HÖR ZU SHZM 259 / Embryo Records SHZM 259LP, Album, Special Edition | LP, Album, Special Edition |
17 vinyl pressings of Muscle Shoals Nitty Gritty are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1970 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Canada, Japan, South Africa. One of them is Embryo Records SD 526.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 526, ATRT 6008) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-EM701897-AA MO (MR) LW AT Δ14835 GB and ST-EM-701898-AA MO (MR) LW AT Δ14835-X GB W. 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.
