Vinyl pressings
by T. Rex · 1973
Tanx 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.
26 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 20 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.
BLN 5002 A-1Runout side A, variant 1
BLN 5002 B-2Runout side B, variant 1
BLN 5002 A-1 AT 1Runout side A, variant 2
BLN 5002 B-2 MH 4Runout side B, variant 2
P MS-2132 31552-1 x 2 C 1Side A runout, etched, variant 1
P MS-2132 31553-1 x CSide B runout, etched, variant 1
P MS-2132 31552-1Side A runout, etched, variant 2
MS-2132 31553-1Side B runout, etched, variant 2
MS-2132 31552-A 1B A3 ƧSide A Runout
MS-2132 31553-B 1B A8 S1Side B Runout
31,552Side A Label
31,553Side B Label
T MS-2132 31552-1-2 ASide A runout, var. 1
T MS-2132 31553-1-1Side B runout, var. 1
T MS-2132 31552-1-1 D²Side A runout, var. 2
T MS-2132 31553-1-2 D10Side B runout, var. 2
MS-2132 31552-A 1BSide A
MS-2132 31553-B 1ASide B
31,552Side A Label
31,553Side B Label
S MS-2132 \ 31552-A 1B A8Side A runout, etched
S1 MS-2132 31553-B 1A A10Side B runout, 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 | Australia | T. Rex BLN 5002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Austria | Ariola 86 645 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Brazil | T. Rex BLN 5002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2132First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2132First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Denmark | T. Rex BLN 5002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | France | CBS REX 65489 / T. Rex REX 65489First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Ariola 86 645 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Greece | T. Rex BLN 5002First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Israel | CBS REX 65489First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Italy | T. Rex 3C 064 - 94187First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Odeon EOP-80777First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | Odeon EOP-80777First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Mexico | T. Rex SLEM-456First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | New Zealand | T. Rex BLN 5002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Japan | T. Rex EMS-50106LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Japan | T. Rex SP20-5060LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Japan | T. Rex EMS-50106LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1983 | Japan | T. Rex SP20-5060LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | Marc On Wax MARCL 504LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | UK | Marc On Wax MARCL 504LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | UK | Marc On Wax MARCL 504LP, Album, Reissue, White Label | LP, Album, Reissue, White Label |
| 1985 | UK | Marc On Wax MARCL 504 / Marc On Wax 12 MARCL 504FLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | TELDEC 6.26712 BL / TELDEC 6.26712LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | UK | Marc On Wax RAP 504LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | UK | Marc On Wax RAPD 504LP, Album, Reissue, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Album, Reissue, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1987 | US | Relativity 88561-8254-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1988 | Spain | Teldec 6.26712 BL / PDI E-30.1470LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1989 | UK | Marc On Wax MARCL 504LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | UK & Europe | Marc On Wax BOLAN BOX 2Box Set, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, LP, Album · Limited, Numbered | Box Set, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, LP, Album · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Italy | Get Back GET634LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2003 | Italy | Get Back GET634 PLP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| 2007 | Japan | Imperial Records TEJI-33002LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | Fat Possum Records FP1238-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2014 | UK | Demon Records DEMREC68LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2014 | UK | Demon Records TANXLP001LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2014 | US | Fat Possum Records FP1238-1LP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2018 | UK | Demon Records DEMREC278LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Single Sided, Album, Etched, All Media, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Single Sided, Album, Etched, All Media, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | US | Spirit Records 7981123813LP, Remastered, Reissue | LP, Remastered, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | UK | Demon Records DEMREC637LP, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | Worldwide | Demon Records DEMREC1266LP, Record Store Day, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Record Store Day, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | TELDEC 6.26712 BL / TELDEC 2292-43948-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | South Korea | High Stereo Light 600LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
55 vinyl pressings of Tanx are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1973 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is T. Rex BLN 5002, released March 16, 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BLN 5002, MS 2132, 86 645 IT, REX 65489) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BLN 5002 A-1 and BLN 5002 B-2. 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.
