Vinyl pressings
by Soft Machine · 1973
Six 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 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.
S 65374 A1 S 68214 A S̶ ̶6̶5̶3̶7̶5̶ ̶A̶1̶ ̶S̶ ̶6̶8̶2̶1̶4̶ ̶C̶ ∴ 1ORunout side A, variant 1, stamped
S 65374 B1 S 68214 B S̶ ̶6̶5̶3̶7̶5̶ ̶B̶1̶ ̶S̶ ̶6̶8̶2̶1̶4̶ ̶D̶ ∴ 1ORunout side B, variant 1, stamped
S 65375 A1 S 68214 C S̶ ̶6̶5̶3̶7̶4̶ ̶A̶1̶ ̶S̶ ̶6̶8̶2̶1̶4̶ ̶A̶ ∴ ORunout side C, variant 1, stamped
S 65375 B1 S 68214 D S̶ ̶6̶5̶3̶7̶4̶ ̶B̶1̶ ̶S̶ ̶6̶8̶2̶1̶4̶ ̶B̶ ∴ 11Runout side D, variant 1, stamped
P AL 32261-1ASide A, stamped, variant 1
P BL 32261-1ASide B, stamped, variant 1
P AL 32262-1ASide C, stamped, variant 1
P BL 32262-1ASide D, stamped, variant 1
o P AL 32261-1A PSide A runout, stamped, variant 1
o P BL 32261-1A PSide B runout, stamped, variant 1
P o P AL 32262-1ASide C runout, stamped, variant 1
P o P BL 32262-1ASide D runout, stamped, variant 1
S 68214-A [Artisan logo]runout side A, hand etched
S 68214-B II [Artisan logo]runout side B, hand etched
S 68214-Crunout side C, hand etched
S 68214-D II [Artisan logo]runout side D, hand 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | Columbia KG 32260First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Italy | CBS 68214 / CBS S68214First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Epic ECPJ-3~4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Epic ECPJ-3-4First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Spain | CBS S 68214First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Columbia KG 32260First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | CBS 68214First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Columbia KG 32260First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Netherlands | CBS S 68214First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | UK, Europe & US | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1549 / Columbia MOVLP1549LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2016 | UK, Europe & US | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1549 / Columbia MOVLP1549LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS 68214LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | CBS S 68214LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS 68214LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS S 65375LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | CBS 68214LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Six are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1973 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Netherlands, Canada and more. One of them is CBS 68214, released February 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 68214, KG 32260, S 68214, ECPJ-3~4) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S 65374 A1 S 68214 A S̶ ̶6̶5̶3̶7̶5̶ ̶A̶1̶ ̶S̶ ̶6̶8̶2̶1̶4̶ ̶C̶ ∴ 1O and S 65374 B1 S 68214 B S̶ ̶6̶5̶3̶7̶5̶ ̶B̶1̶ ̶S̶ ̶6̶8̶2̶1̶4̶ ̶D̶ ∴ 1O. 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.
