Vinyl pressings
by T. Rex · 1972
Solid Gold Easy Action 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.
26 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 17 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.
MARC 3 A - 2U NOLABKRAM BOBIL'S LAST, KTRunout side A, variant 1
MARC 3 B - 1U RAYS FIRST KT WOBILY NIB.Runout side B, variant 1
MARC 3 A - 1U NOLABKRAM BOBIL'S LAST, KTRunout side A, variant 2
MARC 3 B - 1U RAYS FIRST KT WOBILY NIB.Runout side B, variant 2
C 12461 A-1 Made in AustriaRunout Side A
C 12461 B-2 Made in AustriaRunout Side B
C 12 461 ALabel Side A
C 12 461 BLabel Side B
C 12461 A-1 Made in Austria
C 12461 B-1 Made in Austria
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 | Austria | Ariola 12 461 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Austria | Ariola 12 461 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Belgium | T. Rex 4 C 006-94009First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Denmark | T. Rex MARC 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Finland | T. REX MARC 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Finland | T. REX MARC 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Germany | Ariola 12 461 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Ariola 12 461 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Greece | T. REX MARC 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Ireland | T. Rex MARC 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Ireland | T. Rex MARC 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Italy | T. REX 3 C006-94009 / T. REX 3C 006 04009First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Japan | Odeon EOR-10240First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Ariola 12 461 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | New Zealand | T. Rex MARC.3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Israel | CBS REX 11607", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Lebanon | EMI MARC 37", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | T. Rex MARC 37", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
37 vinyl pressings of Solid Gold Easy Action are listed here, from 26 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, Austria, Belgium, Denmark and more. One of them is T. REX MARC 3, released December 1, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MARC 3, 12 461 AT, 4 C 006-94009, 3 C006-94009) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MARC 3 A - 2U NOLABKRAM BOBIL'S LAST, KT and MARC 3 B - 1U RAYS FIRST KT WOBILY NIB.. 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.
