Vinyl pressings
by Marvin Gaye · 1968
Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 9 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.
U-382M11 382M11 W4KM-2684-1 B ARP ⋉Runout side A
FD-SU-329M09 329M09 W4KM-2685-1 ARP ⋉Runout side B
U-382M11Label side A
FD-SU-329M09Label side B
U-382M11 Nashville Matrix 10 W4KM-2684-1 A ΩSide A runout
FD-SU-329M09 Nashville Matrix 10 W4KM-2685-1 A ΩSide B runout
U-382M11Label side A
FD-SU-329M09Label side B
U-382M11 MR △70672 W4KM-2684-1 oA side runout
FD-SU-329M09 MR W4KM-2685-1 △70673 oB side runout
U-382M11A side label
FD-SU-329M09B side label
W4KM-2684-1 JRunout side A
W4KM-2685-1 HRunout side B
U-382M11 W4KM-2684Side A label
FD-SU-329M09 W4KM-2685Side B label
U-382M11 [MR logo] △70672 W4KM-2684-1 0Side A runout
F-D-SU-329M09 [MR logo] W4KM-2685-1 △70673 0Side B runout
U-382M11Side A label
FD-SU-329M09Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-8334First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Canada | Tamla Motown T 54163First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | France | Tamla Motown FT 128First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | India | Tamla TMG655First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown TMM.677First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | US | Tamla T 54163First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Tamla T-54163 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Tamla T-54163First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-8334First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown GO 25.780First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Tamla T-54163First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Tamla T-54163First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Tamla T 54163First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Tamla T-54163First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Tamla T-54163First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | US | Restoration Hardware RH-91727" | 7" |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Nigeria | Tamla TMG 6557", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
23 vinyl pressings of Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1968 and 2002.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Netherlands, Norway and more. One of them is Tamla T-54163, released March 28, 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T-54163, T 54163, T-54163 DJ, TMG 655) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, U-382M11 382M11 W4KM-2684-1 B ARP ⋉ and FD-SU-329M09 329M09 W4KM-2685-1 ARP ⋉. 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.
