Vinyl pressings
by Jimi Hendrix · 1971
Rainbow Bridge was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
39 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 15 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.
MS 2040 31260-2 RL P STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
MS 2040 31261-1 RL P STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
MS 2040 31260-2 STERLING RL B3 PSide A runout, variant 2
MS 2040 31261-1 RL STERLING RL A C PSide B runout, variant 2
Ƨ \ MS 2040-A 31260-1A STERLING RL BSA Side runout
Ƨ \ MS 2040-B 31261-1B STERLING RL A1B Side runout
31,260A Side Label
31,261B Side Label
\ MS 2040-A 31260-1A STERLING RL A\Side 1
\ MS 2040-B 31261-1A STERLING RL A\Side 2
MS 2040 T2 31260-1-1 STERLING RLSide A runout, variant 1
MS 2040 T1 31261-1-1 STERLING RLSide B runout, variant 1
MS 2040 T1 31260-1-1 STERLING RLSide A runout, variant 2
T1 MS-2040 31261-1-2 STERLING RLSide B runout, variant 2
31,260A Side Label
31,261B Side Label
Ƨ \ MS 2040-A 31260-1A STERLING RLA Side Etch exc Sterling stamp
Ƨ \ MS 2040-B 31261-1B STERLING RLB Side Etch exc Sterling stamp
MS 2040 31260-2 STERLING RLSide A runout
MS 2040 31260-1 STERLING RLSide B runout
31,260Side A label
31,261Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Reprise Records MS 2040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Brazil | Reprise Records RLPS 97.006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2040 / Reprise Records 2040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2040 / Reprise Records 2040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2040 / Reprise Records 2040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | El Salvador | Reprise Records MS 2040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | France | Reprise Records 54004First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | Reprise Records REP 54 004 / Reprise Records MS 2040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Greece | Reprise Records RS 0323 / Reprise Records MS 2040First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Israel | Reprise Records MS 2040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Italy | Reprise Records K 54004First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Japan | Reprise Records P-8167RFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | Reprise Records P-6404RLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | South Korea | Reprise Records P-8167R / Oasis Records OLW-150LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Spain | Reprise Records LB44159LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Experience Hendrix 88843096421 / Legacy 88843096421LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2014 | US | Experience Hendrix 88843096421 / Legacy 88843096421LP, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2014 | US | Experience Hendrix 88843096421 / Legacy 88843096421LP, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Numbered | LP, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Numbered |
| 2014 | US | Experience Hendrix 88843096421 / Legacy 88843096421LP, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Numbered | LP, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Numbered |
| 2014 | UK & Europe | Sony Music 88843096421LP, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered |
| 2018 | France | Sony Music 88843096421LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | Italy | Experience Hendrix / LegacyLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2019 | France | Sony Music 88843096421LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Reprise Records MS 2040LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Austria | Reprise Records 61 960 / Reprise Records REP 54 004LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | Brazil | Reprise Records 24.028LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Brazil | Reprise Records RLLP-2.025 / Reprise Records 3-04-404-011LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Reprise Records REP 54 004 / Reprise Records MS 2040LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Reprise Records REP 54 004 / Reprise Records MS 2040LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Reprise Records REP 54 004 / Reprise Records MS 2040LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Reprise Records REP 54 004 / Reprise Records (MS 2040)LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Reprise Records REP 54 004 / Reprise Records MS 2040LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Reprise Records K44159 / Reprise Records K 44159LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Reprise Records K 44159LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Reprise Records K 44159LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Reprise Records REP 54 004 / Reprise Records MS 2040LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Reprise Records REP 54 004 / Reprise Records MS 2040LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Reprise Records 54004LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
107 vinyl pressings of Rainbow Bridge are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1971 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Reprise Records MS 2040, released October 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MS 2040, RS 2040, K 44159, K44159) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MS 2040 31260-2 RL P STERLING and MS 2040 31261-1 RL P STERLING. 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.
