Vinyl pressings
by Jimi Hendrix · 1978
The Essential Jimi Hendrix was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 6 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.
2RS-1-2245 LW2 • ✲Runout side A, variant 1
2RS-2-2245 LW3 1 ✲Runout side B, variant 1
2RS-3-2245 LW2 • ✲Runout side C, variant 1
2RS-4-2245 LW3 1 ✲Runout side D, variant 1
2RS-1-2245 WW1 #3 ☼Scrawled in runout side A
2RS-2-2245 #2 WW1 ☼Scrawled in runout side B
2RS-4-2245 WW1 #2 ☼Scrawled in runout side C
2RS-3-2245 WW1 ☼Scrawled in runout side D
2KS-1-2245 WW1 #3 ─◁Variant 1, Record 1 Side 1
2KS-1-2245 WW1 ─◁Variant 1, Record 1 Side 2
2KS-1-2245 WW1 #2 ─◁Variant 1, Record 2 Side 1
2KS-1-2245 WW1 #3 ─◁ 2Variant 1, Record 2 Side 2
2RS-1-2245 JW4 #5Runout side A
2RS-2-2245 JW3 #7Runout side B
2RS-2-2245 JW2 #2Runout side C
2RS-4-2245 WW1 #4Runout side D
2335134 A//1 P 14 3Runout Side A, Record 1 [Stamped]
GROOVY GRASS INDEED! HovisRunout Side A, Record 1 [Etched]
NICE ONE ALANRunout Side B, Record 1 [Etched]
2335134 B//2▼420 04 1 11 1Runout Side B, Record 1 [Stamped]
2335134 A//2 P 14 3Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
GROOVY GRASS INDEED! HOVIS・πRunout side A, etched, variant 1
2335134 B//2▽420 04 1 11Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
/ ∀[reclining h]Runout side B, etched, variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | Reprise Records 2RSX-2245 / Reprise Records 2RSX 2245First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Canada | Reprise Records 2RSX-2245 / Reprise Records 2RSX 2245First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records Inc. 2RSX 2245First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Canada | Not On Label (Jimi Hendrix)LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Test pressing, Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Test pressing, Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | Italy | Polydor 2612 034 / Polydor JIMI 1LP, Compilation, Reissue, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Polydor MPZ 8109/10First yearLP, Compilation, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided | LP, Compilation, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided |
| 1978 | Japan | Polydor MPZ 8109/10First yearLP, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, All Media, Compilation | LP, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, All Media, Compilation |
| 1978 | Japan | Polydor MPZ 8109/10First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Polydor 2612 034First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Taiwan | Kong Mei Record Co., Ltd. KM-2214 / Kong Mei Record Co., Ltd. KM-2215LP, Album, Compilation, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Compilation, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| 1978 | UK | Polydor 2612 034First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | UK | Polydor 2612 034First yearLP, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, All Media, Compilation | LP, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, All Media, Compilation |
| 1978 | US | Reprise Records 2RS 2245First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Reprise Records 2RS 2245LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1978 | US | Reprise Records 2RS 2245LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Polydor 2612 034 / Polydor 2679 066LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | UK | Polydor 2612 034LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | US | Reprise Records 2RS 2245LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Reprise Records 2RS 2245LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Reprise Records 2RS 2245LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Reprise Records 2RS 2245LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Reprise Records 2RS 2245LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Reprise Records 2RS 2245LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Reprise Records 2RS 2245LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Reprise Records 2RS 2245LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
36 vinyl pressings of The Essential Jimi Hendrix are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Italy, Canada and more. One of them is Reprise Records 2RS 2245.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2RS 2245, 2612 034, 2335 134/5, 2RSX-2245) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2RS-1-2245 LW2 • ✲ and 2RS-2-2245 LW3 1 ✲. 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.
