Vinyl pressings
by Michael Nesmith & The First National Band · 1970
Magnetic South was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 7 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.
ZPRS-8160-1S HSide A runout, variant 1
ZPRS-8161-S1 HSide B runout, variant 1
ZPRS-8160-1S HSide A runout, variant 2
ZPRS-8161-1S HSide B runout, variant 2
ZPRS 8160 3S I A1Runout A
ZPRS 8161 3S I A2Runout B
ZPRS-8160Label A
ZPRS-8161Label B
ZPRS-8160Matrix side A
ZPRS-8161Matrix side B
ZPRS-8160-5S-A1E RRunout A variant 1
ZPRS-8161-5S-A2E RRunout B variant 1
ZPRS 8160 3S I B2Side 1, stamped
ZPRS 8161 3S I A2Side 2, stamped
ZPRS-8160Side 1, label
ZPRS-8161Side 2, label
ZPRS 8160-1
ZPRS 8161-1 A1I
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | RCA Victor LSP-4371First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Canada | RCA Victor LSP-4371First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Germany | RCA Victor LSP-4371 / RCA Victor LSP 4371First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Japan | RCA SHP-6146First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Japan | RCA SHP-6146First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | New Zealand | RCA Victor LSP-4371First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | UK | RCA Victor SF 8136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | RCA Victor LSP-4371First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | RCA Victor LSP-4371First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | RCA Victor LSP-4371First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | RCA Victor LSP-4371First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | South Africa | RCA 38-294 / RCA Victor 38-294LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | RCA R4P-5018LP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | US | Sundazed LP 5512 / RCA Victor 88843040481LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2392 / RCA Victor LSP-4371LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
15 vinyl pressings of Magnetic South are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1970 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is RCA Victor LSP-4371, released June 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LSP-4371, SF 8136, SHP-6146) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZPRS-8160-1S H and ZPRS-8161-S1 H. 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.
