Vinyl pressings
by T. Rex · 1972
Metal Guru 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.
46 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 27 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.
YMARC 1A-2U BobilRunout side A, variant 1
YMARC 1B-1U AUNTY.BRunout side B, variant 1
YMARC 1 A-2U RMC BOBIL 5Runout side A, variant 2
YMARC 1 B-1U GTP KT 4 AUNTY.BRunout side B, variant 2
YMARC 1A-2UMachine stamped in run-out area A-side
YMARC 1B-1UMachine stamped in run-out area B-side
BobilHand etched in run-out area A-side
AUNTY.BHand etched in run-out area B-side
YMARC 1A - 2U RT Bobil 5Runout side A
YMARC 1 . B - 1U MT 3 AUNTY.B.Runout side B
YMARC 1ALabel A-side
YMARC 1BLabel B-side
QAA5388A
QAA5388B
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 | Argentina | T. REX 1529First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Australia | T. Rex T. REX-9929First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Austria | Ariola 12158 AT / Ariola 12 158 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Brazil | T. Rex MARC 1First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Reprise Records REP 1095First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Chile | Odeon MSOD 8902First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Denmark | T. Rex MARC 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Denmark | T. Rex MARC 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Finland | T. REX MARC 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | CBS REX 8116 / T. Rex REX 8116First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | CBS REX 8116First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Germany | Ariola 12 158 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Ariola 12 158 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Germany | Ariola 12 158 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Germany | Ariola 12 158 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Ariola 12 158 AT7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Ariola 12 158 AT7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
48 vinyl pressings of Metal Guru are listed here, from 27 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, US, Ireland, Sweden and more. One of them is T. REX MARC 1, released May 5, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MARC 1, MARC1, REP 1151, REP 1095) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YMARC 1A-2U Bobil and YMARC 1B-1U AUNTY.B. 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.
