Vinyl pressings
by Motörhead · 1977
Motörhead was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 2 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.
S 13 A-2 A PORKY PRIME CUT LYN-4495-2MSide A runout
S 13 B-2 A MASTER ROOM MUTHA LYN-4496 2MSide B runout
S 13-ASide A label
S 13-BSide B label
S 13 A-2 LYN 4389 - 2MRunout side A, variant 1
S 13 B-2 LYN 4390 - 2MRunout side B, variant 1
S 13 A-2 3 LYN 4389 - 2MRunout side A, variant 2
S 13 B-2 LYN 4390 - 2MRunout side B, variant 2
NS‧13‧A2 NS 13 A-2 ꓥ 1Side A, stamped
NS‧13‧B2 NS 13 B-2 ꓥ 6Side B, stamped
agi 640123 ASide A runout, stamped
agi 640123 BSide B runout, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | France | Chiswick Records 640.123First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | Chiswick Records S 13First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1977 | UK | Chiswick Records S 13First year12", Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1977 | UK | Chiswick Records S13 / Chiswick Records S 13First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | UK | Chiswick Records NS 13 / Chiswick Records S137", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1979 | UK | Chiswick Records NSP 137", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Big Beat Records NS 137", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Big Beat Records NS 137", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Big Beat Records NS 137", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Big Beat Records NS 137", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Chiswick Records NSP 137", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Big Beat Records NS 137", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1979 | UK | Big Beat Records NS 137", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1979 | UK | Chiswick Records NSP 13-B7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Picture disc |
| 1979 | UK | Big Beat Records NS 137", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | UK | Chiswick Records NSP 137", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Repress · Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Repress · Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 1986 | Europe | Big Beat Records NS 137", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | UK | Chiswick Records S1312", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
18 vinyl pressings of Motörhead are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1977 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, France. One of them is Chiswick Records S13, released June 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S13, S 13, 640.123) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S 13 A-2 A PORKY PRIME CUT LYN-4495-2M and S 13 B-2 A MASTER ROOM MUTHA LYN-4496 2M. 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.
