Vinyl pressings
by L7 · 1990
Smell The Magic was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1990, the album's first year, in 3 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.
SP-79-A K disc ch L-36057 ROCK SHOW tONIGHT - BIG BUttS LIVE ON StAGESide A, Etched
SP-79-B Kdisc ch SMELL IT SNIFF IT SMELL IT L-36057X SWAPPIN' FLuiDS ACROSS tHE NATIONSide B, Etched
SP-79-A k disc ch L-36057 Rock Show Tonight-Big Butts Live On StageSide A, Etched
SP-79-B k disc ch SMELL IT SNIFF IT SMELL IT L-36057X SWAPPIN' FLuiDS ACROSS tHE NATIONSide B, Etched
W2A2 DAMP-139-A DTMX- 75501Side A runout, etched
DMX-75502 DAMP-139-B W2ASide B runout, etched
DAMP-139-A DTMX-75501 W2A2Side A runout
DMX-75502 DAMP-139-B W2ASide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Australia | Sub Pop damp 139 / Waterfront Records DAMP 139First year10", EP · Colored vinyl | 10", EP · Colored vinyl |
| 1990 | Australia | Waterfront Records DAMP 139 / Sub Pop DAMP 139First year10", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP · Colored vinyl | 10", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP · Colored vinyl |
| 1990 | Australia | Sub Pop DAMP 139 / Waterfront Records DAMP 139First year10", EP · Colored vinyl | 10", EP · Colored vinyl |
| 1990 | Australia | Waterfront Records DAMP 139First year10", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP · Colored vinyl | 10", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP · Colored vinyl |
| 1990 | Australia | Sub Pop DAMP 139 / Waterfront Records DAMP 139First year10", EP · Colored vinyl | 10", EP · Colored vinyl |
| 1990 | Australia | Waterfront Records DAMP 139 / Sub Pop DAMP 139First year10", EP · Colored vinyl | 10", EP · Colored vinyl |
| 1990 | Australia | Sub Pop damp 139 / Waterfront Records DAMP 139First year10", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 10", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1990 | Germany | Sub Pop SP 2/110 / Sub Pop SP79First year12", Mini-Album, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Mini-Album, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1990 | Germany | Sub Pop SP 2/11012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1990 | US | Sub Pop SP79First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1990 | US | Sub Pop SP79First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP · Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Sub Pop SP 1379LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2020 | UK & Europe | Sub Pop SP 1379LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | US | Sub Pop SP1379LP, Album, Limited Edition, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | US | Sub Pop SP1379LP, Album, Limited Edition, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | US | Sub Pop SP1379LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Smell The Magic are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1990 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in US, Australia, Germany. One of them is Sub Pop SP79, released August 21, 1990.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP79, damp 139, DAMP 139, SP 2/110) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP-79-A K disc ch L-36057 ROCK SHOW tONIGHT - BIG BUttS LIVE ON StAGE and SP-79-B Kdisc ch SMELL IT SNIFF IT SMELL IT L-36057X SWAPPIN' FLuiDS ACROSS tHE NATION. 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.
