Vinyl pressings
by Hoyt Axton · 1974
Life Machine was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 5 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.
A&M SP-4̷7̷4̷3̷ 3607 RE-1 M1 (HS) MR △18513(2)Side A runout
A&M SP-4̷7̷4̷4̷ 3608 RE-1 M2 MR △18513-X (3)Side B runout
SP-3607Label side A
SP-3608Label Side B
(MR) △18513(2) A&MSP3607 RE-I M1 (HB)Side A etched runout
(MR) △18513-X(3) A&MSP3608 RE-I M2 (HB)Side B etched runout
SP-3607Side A label
SP-3608Side B label
AM SP 3607 T3. T 1Side A Runout
AM SP 3608 P4. XTSide B Runout
SP-3607Side A Album Label
SP-3608Side B Album Label
T1 A&M SP [scratch-out] RE-1 TI 3607 C 5Runout, Side A, variant 1
T2 A&M SP [scratch-out] RE-1 TI 3608 A 4Runout, Side B, variant 1
T1 A&M SP [scratch-out] RE-1 T1 3607 C 11Runout, Side A, variant 2
T2 A&M SP [scratch-out] RE-1 T1 3608 A 5Runout, Side B, variant 2
A&M SP- ̶4̶7̶4̶3̶ 3607 RE-1 M1 (HS) MR △18513(2)Side A runout
A&M SP- ̶4̶7̶4̶4̶ 3608 RE-1 M2 MR △18513-X (3)Side B runout
SP-3607Label side A
SP-3608Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | A&M Records L 35103 / A&M Records L-35,103First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3604First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3604LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3604First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3604First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | A&M Records AML 207First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | A&M Records SP-3604 / A&M Records AMLH 63604First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 63604 / A&M Records SP 3604First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 63604First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | A&M Records SP-3604First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | A&M Records SP-3604First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | A&M Records SP-3604First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | A&M Records SP-3155First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | A&M Records SP-3604First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | A&M Records SP-3604First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | A&M Records SP-3604LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-69830LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of Life Machine are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-3604.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-3604, SP-3155, AMLH 63604, L 35103) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A&M SP-4̷7̷4̷3̷ 3607 RE-1 M1 (HS) MR △18513(2) and A&M SP-4̷7̷4̷4̷ 3608 RE-1 M2 MR △18513-X (3). 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.
