Vinyl pressings
by Mason Williams · 1969
Music By Mason Williams was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1969, 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.
o T 39489 WS 1788 A - 1D B3Side A runout, variant 1
o T 1 39489 WS 1788 B - 1CSide B etched, variant 1
o T 39489 WS 1788 A - 1D A1Side A etched, variant 2
o T 1 39489 WS 1788 B - D1Side B etched, variant 2
39489 WS 1788A -1G o 1ƧA Side etch exc. o stamp, variant 1
39490 WS 1788 B -1G Ƨ oB Side etch exc. o stamp, variant 1
Ƨ o \ 39489 WS1788A -1GA Side etch exc. o stamp, variant 2
S 2 39490 WS1788B -1H oB Side etch exc. o stamp, variant 2
P o 39489 WS 1788 A - 1E A3A-Side runout, etched; "o" "A3" "P" stamped
P o 39489 WS 1788 B - 1F A3B-Side runout, etched; "o" "A3" "P" stamped
S39489A-Side Label
S39490B-Side Label
S-39489-2S IA-Side runout, etched
S-39490-1S IB-Side runout, etched
S39489A-Side Label
S39490B-Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Warner Brothers Seven Arts Music Corp WS1788LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | Australia | Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records WS 1788LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Music By Mason Williams are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, Canada, South Africa. One of them is Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records WS 1788.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WS 1788, WBC 1092) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, o T 39489 WS 1788 A - 1D B3 and o T 1 39489 WS 1788 B - 1C. 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.
