Vinyl pressings
by The Blues Project · 1968
Planned Obsolescence was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 4 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.
FTS-3046 SIDE-1 MGS-1542 [Blocky "S"]Side A runout, variant 1
FTS-3046 SIDE-2 MGS-1543 [Blocky "S"]Side B runout, variant 1
FTS-3046 SIDE-1 MGS-1542 12 [Blocky "S"]Side A runout, variant 2
FTS-3046 SIDE-2 MGS-1543 12 [Blocky "S"]Side B runout, variant 2
FTS-3046 SIDE-1 MGS-1542Side A runout
FTS-3046 SIDE-2 MGS-1543Side B runout
FTS-3046-A TGA side etched
FTS-3046-B TGB side etched
FVS 9517 A 1 Ⓟ1968 A9 ◇V V 1 00Runout side A
FVS 9517 B 1 Ⓟ1968 A9 ◇V B 00Runout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Canada | Verve Forecast FTS-3046 / Verve Forecast FTS 3046First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Germany | Verve Forecast FTS-9517First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Germany | Verve Forecast FVS-9517First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Scandinavia | Verve Records FVS-9517First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Verve Forecast FTS-3046 / Verve Forecast FTS3046First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Verve Forecast FTS-3046First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Stereo, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Verve Forecast FTS-3046 / Verve Forecast FTS 3046First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Japan | Verve Records MV 1122LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Japan | Verve Records 23MM 0129LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Japan | Verve Records 23MM 0129LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of Planned Obsolescence are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1968 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Canada, Germany, Scandinavia. One of them is Verve Forecast FTS-3046.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FTS-3046, FTS-9517, FVS-9517) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FTS-3046 SIDE-1 MGS-1542 [Blocky "S"] and FTS-3046 SIDE-2 MGS-1543 [Blocky "S"]. 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.
