Vinyl pressings
by McKendree Spring · 1972
Tracks was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. 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 1972, the album's first year, in 5 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.
MG 7 13108 E2 2₁₁ STERLING 3 LHRunout A, variant 1
MG 7 13109 E2 | 2₁ STERLING 3 LHRunout B, variant 1
MG 7 13108 E-1 STERLING 2 LHRunout A, variant 2
MG 7 13109 E-1 STERLING 2 LHRunout B, variant 2
MAPS-6332-A fhSide 1 runout etched
MAPS-6332-B fhSide 2 runout etched
fhFrank Hulbert's mark, etched on both runouts
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | MCA Records MAPS 6332First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Decca DL 7-5385First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | MCA Records MCA-5149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | MCA Records MCA-5149First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | MCA Records MAPS 6332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Decca DL 7-5385First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Decca DL 7-5385First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Decca DL 7-5385First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | MCA Records MAPS 6332LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | MCA Records MAPS 6332LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | UK | MCA Records MUPS 476LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Venezuela | MCA Records MAPS-6003LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Tracks are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1972 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Australia, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Decca DL 7-5385.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DL 7-5385, MAPS 6332, MCA-5149) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MG 7 13108 E2 2₁₁ STERLING 3 LH and MG 7 13109 E2 | 2₁ STERLING 3 LH. 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.
