Vinyl pressings
by Richie Havens · 1971
The Great Blind Degree was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1971, 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.
P SFS6010 MGS 2684 1A JF RE-1 BRunout A etch; P stamp, variant 1
P SFS6010 MGS 2685 1B JF RE-1 A2Runout B etch; P stamp, variant 1
P SFS6010 MGS 2684 1A JF RE-1 ARunout A etch; P stamp, variant 2
P SFS6010 MGS 2685 1C JF RE-1 A0Runout B etch; P stamp, variant 2
2 SFS6010 MGS 2684 1B JF RE-1 SX ARunout side A, variant 1
P SFS6010 MGS 2685 1C JF RE 1 CRunout side B, variant 1
P 2 SFS6010 MGS 2684 1B JF RE-1 SX A 3Runout side A, variant 2
P SFS6010 MGS 2685 1C JF RE 1 1 B3Runout side B, variant 2
SFS6010 MGS 2684 1A JF RE-1 BRunout side A, etched
SFS6010 MGS 2685 1B JF RE-1 A2Runout side B, etched
MGS 2684Matrix side A, on label
MGS 2684Matrix side B, on label
SFS6010 MGS 2684 1A JF RE-1 B SRunout side A, etched, variant 1
SFS6010 MGS 2685 1A JF RE-1 A3 S IRunout side B, etched, variant 1
SFS6010 MGS 2684 1A JF RE-1Runout side A, etched, variant 2
SFS6010 MGS 2685 1A JF RE-1 A2 S2Runout side B, etched, variant 2
SFS6010 MGS 2684 1A JF RE-1 A1 1Runout side A, etched
SFS6010 MGS 2685 1A JF RE-1 A8 SIRunout side B, etched
SRunout both sides, etched
MGS 2684Matrix side A, on label
SFS6010 MGS 2684 1A JF RE-1 CRunout side A, etched
SFS6010 MGS 2685 1B JF RE-1Runout side B, etched
PRunout both sides, stamped
MGS 2684Matrix side A, on label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | Polydor 2480 049First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | Polydor 2480 049First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Polydor 2310 163First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Polydor 2310 163First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Polydor 2310 163First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Stormy Forest SFS 6010 / Polydor 2480-049First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | Polydor 2480 049First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Stormy Forest SFS 6010First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Stormy Forest SFS 6010First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Stormy Forest SFS 6010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Stormy Forest SFS 6010First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Stormy Forest SFS 6010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Stormy Forest SFS 6010First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Australia | Polydor 2310 163LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2310 163 / Polydor 2310.163LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Africa | RPM RPM 1066 / RPM RPM. 1066LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of The Great Blind Degree are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1971 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Stormy Forest SFS 6010.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SFS 6010, 2480 049, 2310 163) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P SFS6010 MGS 2684 1A JF RE-1 B and P SFS6010 MGS 2685 1B JF RE-1 A2. 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.
