Vinyl pressings
by Jimi Hendrix · 1975
Midnight Lightning was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 13 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.
R.F Janos A IƧ MS 2229+1 31920-1AA-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
31921-B_1A SX S/T IS MS2229B-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
R.F Janos A IƧ MS 2229+1 31920-3AA-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
31921-B-1C SXT IS MS2229B-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
ᴘ MS 2229 ᴘ 31920-1A XX R.F. JANOS D 2A-side runout, variant 1
ᴘ 1S MS 2229 31921-B-1A SX ∞ C∷B-side runout, variant 1
MS 2229 P 31920-A XX R.F. JANOS AA-side runout, variant 2
P MS 2229 31921-B X ΨB-side runout, variant 2
MS 2229 31920-A-1C RF JANOS A1 SSide A runout, variant 1
MS 2229 31921-B-1A ∞ A1 S 2Side B runout, variant 1
MS 2229 31920-A-1B RF JANOS A3 I SSide A runout, variant 2
MS 2229 31921 B-1A ∞ I SSide B runout, variant 2
MS-1-2229 WW2 —◁A Side, Variant 2, Etch
MS-1-2229-W1 —◁ MS 2229 (31921-W1)B Side, Variant 2, Etch
31,920A Side Label
31,921B Side Label
31,920A Side Label
31,921B Side Label
MS-1-2229 WW2 —◁A Side Etch
MS 2229 (31921-W1) MS-2-2229-W1 SP 1-2 —◁B Side Etch
MS 2229 T1 31920-2A R.F. JANOS AA Side Runout variant 1
MS 2229 T1 31921-1B ∞ AB Side Runout variant1
MS 2229 T1 31920- 3A RF JANOS B7A Side Runout variant 2
MS 2229 T1 31921- 3B ∞ AB Side Runout variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Austria | Polydor 2310 415First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2229First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | Polydor 2310415First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | Italy | Polydor 2310 415 AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Polydor 2344 057First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Polydor 2310 415First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2310 415First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Spain | Polydor 23 10 415First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Polydor 2310 415First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Reprise Records MS 2229First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Reprise Records MS 2229First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Reprise Records MS 2229First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Reprise Records MS 2229First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Reprise Records MS 2229LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1975 | US | Reprise Records MS 2229First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Polydor 2310 415LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Germany | Polydor 2459 394LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | Polydor 24 75 667LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Japan | Polydor MPA 7011LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Brazil | Reprise Records 84.004LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Argentina | Polydor 2343 111LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1989 | Hungary | Gong SLPXL 37350LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1989 | Netherlands | Polydor 825 166-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 221112 / Polydor 825 166LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1990 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 221112LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2229LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | France | Polydor 2302 039LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | France | Polydor 2302 039LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Greece | Polydor 2310415LP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| ? | Greece | Polydor 2310 415LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Polydor 2459 394LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Uruguay | Polydor 2310 415LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB LP 5570 / Polydor 2310 415LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB LP 5570 / Polydor 2310 415LP, Album | LP, Album |
63 vinyl pressings of Midnight Lightning are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1975 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Reprise Records MS 2229, released November 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MS 2229, 2310 415, 2302 039, 2310 415 A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R.F Janos A IƧ MS 2229+1 31920-1A and 31921-B_1A SX S/T IS MS2229. 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.
