Vinyl pressings
by Nirvana · 1991
Smells Like Teen Spirit was first pressed on vinyl in 1991. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1991, 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.
DGCS 5 A - 1 U - 1 - Q2Machine-stamped in the A-side dead-wax
DGCS 5 B - 1 U - 1 - Q2Machine-stamped in the B-side dead-wax
(DGCS 5-A)Label side A
(DGCS 5-B)Label side B
DGCT 5 A-1J-1-1Side A (Machine stamped)
DGCT 5 B-1J-1-1Side B (Machine stamped)
DGCS 5 A-1J-1-Q2Side A runout, stamped
DGCS 5 B-1J-1-Q2Side B runout, stamped
DGCS 5 A - 1 U - 1 - Q2Machine-stamped in the A-side dead-wax
DGCS 5 B - 1 U - 1 - Q2Machine-stamped in the B-side dead-wax
(DGCS 5-A)Label side A
(DGCS 5-B)Label side B
DGCS 5 A-1J-1-Q2Side A runout, stamped
DGCS 5 B-1J-1-Q2Side B runout, stamped
DGC-TP-5-A ORLAKESide A
DGC-TP-5-B ORLAKESide B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Argentina | RCA S - 0758 / RCA 0758First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1991 | Europe | DGC GES 19050 / Sub Pop GES 19050First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1991 | Europe | DGC GET 21673 / DGC GET 21 673First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1991 | Europe | DGC GES 19050First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1991 | Europe | DGC GET 21 673 / DGC GET 21673First year12", Maxi-Single, Misprint | 12", Maxi-Single, Misprint |
| 1991 | France | DGC GES 19050 / Sub Pop GES 19050First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1991 | Mexico | DGC RX-1054First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1991 | Spain | DGC GES 19050 (1A) / DGC 1A GES 19050First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | Spain | DGC GET 21673 (3A) / DGC 3A GET 21673First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1991 | Spain | DGC GES 19050 (1A) / DGC 1A GES 19050First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress |
| 1991 | UK | DGC DGCTP 5 / Sub Pop DGCTP 5First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1991 | UK | DGC DGCS 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1991 | UK | DGC DGCS 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1991 | UK | DGC DGCS 5 / Sub Pop DGCS 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Special Edition | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Special Edition |
| 1991 | US | DGC DGCS7-19050 / Sub Pop DGCS7-19050First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Europe | Spirit Recordings NIR 00212", Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2006 | Europe | Spirit Recordings NIR 00212", Promo, Test Pressing, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Test pressing, Promo | 12", Promo, Test Pressing, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Test pressing, Promo |
| 2008 | US | Geffen Records PRO-157 / Celebrate Life PRO-15712", Compilation, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo | 12", Compilation, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo |
| 2009 | US | AV8 Records AV79712", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | Celebrate Life PRO-A-157DGCTP712", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo |
| 2010 | US | Geffen Records PRO-A-157 / Sub Pop PRO-A-15712", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo |
| 2011 | US | DGC B0016231-01 LP01 / UMe B0016231-01 LP0110", Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 10", Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2011 | US | DGC B0016231-01 LP01 / UMe B0016231-01 LP0110", Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 10", Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 2011 | UK | DGC 5337510 / UMe 53375107", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
37 vinyl pressings of Smells Like Teen Spirit are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1991 and 2011.
The earliest pressings are from 1991, in UK, US, Europe, France and more. One of them is DGC DGCS 5, released November 18, 1991.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DGCS 5, DGCT 5, DGCTP 5, DGCS7-19050) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DGCS 5 A - 1 U - 1 - Q2 and DGCS 5 B - 1 U - 1 - Q2. 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.
