Vinyl pressings
by The Cowsills · 1969
Hair was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 18 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.
K14026 105969 TSA-side runout, variant 1
K14026 104157-2B-side runout, variant 1
K14026 105969-2 TSA-side runout, variant 2
K14026 104157-2B-side runout, variant 2
K14026 105969-1 MR △74785A side runout
K14026 104157-1 MR △74784B side runout
105,969A side label
104,157B side label
K14026 105969 TLA-Side Runout Etching
K14026 104157B-Side Runout Etching
105,969A-Side Label
104,157B-Side Label
K14026 105969 TLRunout Side A etched, variant 1
K14026 104157-3Runout Side B etched, variant 1
105,969Label Side A
104,157Label Side B
K14026 105969-1 Bestway LWSide A Runout - Variant 1
K14026 104157-2 Bestway LWSide B Runout - Variant 1
K14026 105969-4 Bestway LWSide A Runout - Variant 2
K14026 104157-4 Bestway LWSide B Runout - Variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Unknown | MGM Records K 14026First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Argentina | MGM Records 90031First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Australia | MGM Records MGM-47 / MGM Records K 14026First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Brazil | MGM Records 21.009First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Canada | MGM Records GT.19XFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | Canada | MGM Records 14026XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Canada | MGM Records 14026XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Canada | MGM Records GT.19XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Canada | MGM Records MGMGT 19X / Golden Treasures MGMGT 19XFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | France | MGM Records 61 628First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Germany | MGM Records 61 214First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Greece | MGM Records 61 523First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Israel | MGM Records 45-632 / Hed Arzi Ltd. 45-632First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Japan | MGM Records DM-1187First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | New Zealand | MGM Records MGMK 14026First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Germany | Polydor 889 280-77", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | MGM Records MGM GT. 19X7", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | US | MGM Records KGC1967", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | MGM Records KGC 1967", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
35 vinyl pressings of Hair are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1969 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Hong Kong, Australia and more. One of them is MGM Records K 14026, released February 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K 14026, K-14026, MGM 1469, MGM-47) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K14026 105969 TS and K14026 104157-2. 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.
