Vinyl pressings
by Soul Mann & The Brothers · 1971
Shaft 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.
12 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 6 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.
SPC 3290-A BellSound AC (1)A-Side Runout Etching (variant 1)
SPC 3290-B BellSound AC ①B-Side Runout Etching (variant 1)
SPC 3290-A BellSound AC (K)A-Side Runout Etching (variant 2)
SPC 3290-B BellSound ACB-Side Runout Etching (variant 2)
SPC 3290-Ax Bell Sound ACA-Side Runout Etching
SPC 3290-B Bell Sound ACB-Side Runout Etching
SHM 763 A1Runout side A, variant 1
SHM 763 B1Runout side B, variant 1
SHM 763 A1 F 3Runout side A, variant 2
SHM 763 B1 D 3Runout side B, variant 2
SHM 763 A1 C 3Side A runout, variant 1
SHM 763 B1 C 3 2Side B runout, variant 1
SHM 763 A1 20 ESide A runout, variant 2
SHM 763 B1 23 DSide B runout, variant 2
SRA 46 ARunout Side A Stamped
SRA 46 BRunout Side B Stamped
SPC 3290-AX (1) Bell Sound ACSide 1 run-out etching
SPC 3290-BX (1) Bell Sound ACSide 2 run-out etching
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 | Australia | Summit SRA 46First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | Pickwick/33 Records SPC-3290 / Pickwick/33 Records SPC3290First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | France | Musidisc 30 CV 1209First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | France | Musidisc 30 CV 1209First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | France | Musidisc 30 CV 1209First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | France | Musidisc 30 CV 1209First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | France | Musidisc 30 CV 1209First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Israel | Hallmark Records SHM 763First yearLP | LP |
| 1971 | UK | Hallmark Records SHM 763First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Hallmark Records SHM 763First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Pickwick/33 Records SPC-3290 / Pickwick/33 Records SPC3290First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Pickwick/33 Records SPC-3290 / Pickwick/33 Records SPC3290First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Music For Leisure 63LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Spain | Hallmark Records 85.451-VLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Spain | Marfer M.30-157 SLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Musidisc 30 CO 1209 / Musidisc CO 1209LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Musidisc 30 CV 1209 / Musidisc CO 1209LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Musidisc 30 CV 1209LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of Shaft are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1971 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Pickwick/33 Records SPC-3290.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SPC-3290, SHM 763, SRA 46, 30 CV 1209) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SPC 3290-A BellSound AC (1) and SPC 3290-B BellSound AC 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.
