Vinyl pressings
by Osibisa · 1972
Heads 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.
29 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 21 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.
7-LNMG-263-2L C JT 1Runout side A, stamped
7-LNMG-264-1L B JT 1Runout side B, stamped
7-LNMG 263Label side A
7-LNMG 264Label side B
MG 7-13098-W-2 2111Side A
MF 7-13099-W-2 2111Side B
MG7-13098-W-1A side runout variant 1
MG7-13099-W-1B side runout variant 1
MG7-13098-W-1 2A side runout variant 2
MG7-13099-W-1B side runout variant 2
DL7 5368A DDD S/W PRA side runout, etched, variant 1
DL7 5367B DDD S/W PRB side runout, etched, variant 1
DL7 5368 A DDD-11-1 D PR S/WA side runout, etched, variant 2
DL7 5367 B DDD -11-1 S/W PR DB side runout, etched, variant 2
7-13098-E-1 (Etched) 回-G-回 (Stamped) 2A side runout
MG7-13099-W-1 (Etched)B side runout
7-13098A Side, label
7-13099⁎B Side, label
MAPS-6283-A fhSide A etched
MAPS-6283-B fhSide B etched
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 6283First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Brazil | MCA Records MCALP 600 034First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Decca DL7-5368First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Colombia | Discos Fuentes 345029 / MCA Records 245029First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | France | MCA Records 410005 U / MCA Records 410005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | MCA Records MAPS 6283First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | MCA Records MMPS 6283 / MCA Records MAPS 6283First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Greece | MCA Records MCA 55207First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | India | MCA Records DL7-5368First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Iran | Royal LRT 68First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Italy | MCA Records MAPS 6259First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | MCA Records MCA-5127 / MCA Records MAP/S 6283First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | MCA Records MDKS 8007 / MCA Records MAPS 6259First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Lebanon | MCA Records DL7-5368First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Mozambique | MCA Records LP - 111 / LM LP111First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | MCA Records MAPS 6283LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Australia | MCA Records MAPS 6283LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Australia | MCA Records MAPS 6283LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | France | MCA Records 410 005LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | MCA Records MAPS 6283LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Mexico | Decca DL 7-5368LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | South Korea | Not On Label 518LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Spain | MCA Records S-26.158LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Spain | MCA Records S-26.158LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | MCA Records DL 7-5368 / MCA Records DL 75368LP, Album | LP, Album |
46 vinyl pressings of Heads are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1972 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, US, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is MCA Records MDKS 8007.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MDKS 8007, DL 75368, MAPS 6283, MCALP 600 034) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7-LNMG-263-2L C JT 1 and 7-LNMG-264-1L B JT 1. 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.
