Vinyl pressings
by Shawn Phillips · 1973
Bright White was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
MR [within a circle]Stamped on Both Sides
A&M SP4703-M1 ∆18458 (1)A-Side Etched
A&M SP 4704-M1 ∆18458-X (1)B-Side Etched
T1 A&M SP-4703 T1
T1 A&M SP-4703 T1
P A&M SP4703-P1A-side runout, variant 1
P A&M SP 4704-P1B-side runout, variant 1
P A&M SP4703-P1 1 B1A-side runout, variant 2
P A&M SP 4704-P1 1 1 AB-side runout, variant 2
SP-4703A Side Label
SP-4704B Side Label
A&M SP4703-M1 MR ∆18458 (2)A Side Etch exc ᴍʀ stamp
A&M SP 4704-M1 MR ∆18458-X (2)B Side Etch exc ᴍʀ stamp
A+M SP4703-MI SP 4402-A MR(in circle) Can △18458Side A etch, MR stamp
A+M SP4704-MI SP 4402-B MR(in circle) Can △18458-XSide B etch, MR stamp
SP-4703Side A label
SP-4704Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4402 / A&M Records SP-4402First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4402 / A&M Records SP-4703First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Italy | A&M Records SLAM 64402First yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | Japan | A&M Records AML-196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | A&M Records AMLH 64402First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | A&M Records SP-4402First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | A&M Records SP-4402First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | A&M Records SP 4402 / A&M Records SP-4402First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | A&M Records SP 4402 / A&M Records SP-4402First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Australia | A&M Records L 35,045LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Australia | A&M Records AML.35045LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1974 | France | A&M Records 875006 / A&M Records 875.006LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Italy | A&M Records SLAM 64402LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64402LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP 3140LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | South Korea | A&M Records SEL-200540LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP 4402 / A&M Records SP-4402LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | A&M Records 87606-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64402LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
19 vinyl pressings of Bright White are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1973 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Canada, Italy, Japan and more. One of them is A&M Records SP 4402, released November 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 4402, SP-4402, SLAM 64402, AML-196) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MR [within a circle] and A&M SP4703-M1 ∆18458 (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.
