VINYL - 1st pressing or not + online vinyl price guide

[Willie Garvin]

I have tried to locate via Google a site which explains the markings/coding on the dead wax on vinyl records & have also tried to find an online vinyl pricing guide. :x

Have to admit defeat here as I must be asking for the wrong thing, so can any fellow Wammers point me in the right direction please. :^

Cheers,

willie g

 

[florette69]

Have you tried Discogs? Far from complete, because it's an open, evolving database, but there's lots of info there.

 

[harmonica98]

I have tried to locate via Google a site which explains the markings/coding on the dead wax on vinyl records & have also tried to find an online vinyl pricing guide. :x Have to admit defeat here as I must be asking for the wrong thing, so can any fellow Wammers point me in the right direction please. :^

Cheers,

willie g

There's no easy answer. Generally something that is marked 1A/1B might well be the first pressing, but equally, it might not be. It's on a case by case basis. Sorry, but that's how it is. If you mention some albums you are interested in, we could be more specific.

 

[Cas]

This how confusing matrix run out numbers can be, below are those listed for Pink Floyds Animals for 4 variants.

• Matrix / Runout (Variant 1 - A side run-out, stamped): SHVL 815 A-2U GL
  
• Matrix / Runout (Variant 1 - B side run-out, stamped): SHVL 815 B-2U OR
  
• Matrix / Runout (Variant 2 - A side run-out, stamped): SHVL 815 A-2U 2
  
• Matrix / Runout (Variant 2 - B side run-out, stamped): SHVL 815 B-3U 2
  
• Matrix / Runout (Variant 3 - A side run-out, stamped): SHVL 815 A-2U GM
  
• Matrix / Runout (Variant 3 - B side run-out, stamped): SHVL 815 B-2U AA
  
• Matrix / Runout (Variant 4 - A side run-out, stamped): SHVL 815 A-2U CJ*
  
• Matrix / Runout (Variant 4 - B side run-out, stamped): SHVL 815 B-3U CJ*
  

*CJ is a guess, it looks like that but is scratched in!

Info taken from Discogs.

One of these is very useful - Record Collector Rare Record Price Guide, it comes in book form or as an online subscription.

http://www.rarerecordpriceguide.com/

This does not deal with matrix numbers but really good for rarities and what you should be paying.

 

[Emma Royd]

Bear in mind the rare record price guide is only a guide,prices stated may attain more and of course less.It only quotes uk issues,somes collectable items are not listed.

 

[AGrail]

Have you tried http://www.popsike.com ? - view median prices and most recent value end results. Most dealers refer to this or http://www.http://collectorsfrenzy.com/ The RC Guide being a printed medium can not keep up with fluctuations in collecting circles. As mentioned above the book has large swathes of omissions (Most notably classical although it's prices on SKA, private pressings, demos etc have helped form the opinion among many, that it is at best a joke book.

 

[Guest]

I truly hate this kind of thing. I have a decent amount of records (2,000+) and have never once checked any of this stuff on anything I've bought. It's worse than train spotting.

 

[June]

I truly hate this kind of thing. I have a decent amount of records (2,000+) and have never once checked any of this stuff on anything I've bought. It's worse than train spotting.

I'm kind of with you on this one Tom but I sometimes use info on different pressing to distinguish between recordings made from analogue masters to those made from digital sources.

 

[Stevebrock]

I wish I could read the damn things!

It doesnt matter to me along as the vinyl plays nice and its decent SQ I am happy

 

[Willie Garvin]

I truly hate this kind of thing. I have a decent amount of records (2,000+) and have never once checked any of this stuff on anything I've bought. It's worse than train spotting.

Tom,

I've managed to collect nearly 1000 records in a short amount of time & I kept hearing 'Is it a first pressing & the like' whilst in some record stores & once or twice here on the Wam, so I thought I'd ask about the markings/coding here on the WAM & I've had some great replies.

But I too have never checked any of these numbers & to me it's the music on the vinyl that's important to me, as it will be for most vinyl lovers, I was & still am lacking in knowledge about 'all things vinyl' & if I'm honest I've a lot to learn about hifi yet aswell & me asking questions like the one here is purely to enhance my knowledge re vinyl.

Train spotting was & never will be my cup of tea by the way. ;-)

willie g

 

[AGrail]

I completely understand the emotional attachment to music. Placing monetary values on a prized collection or cherished piece of music is in many ways vulgar.

However a little knowledge on Martrix and stamper numbers can be handy if the quality of recordings is a priority. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Mother etc... For many audiophiles the search for 'Hot Stampers' is a holy grail in itself.

A basic understanding of grading, pressings and their relative values allows for some educated purchasing (Below are three pressings of the same recording issued over a number of years) One has an average value of £2500 depending on condition and matrix nos, top 'sold' value £11600 Another of average value £150 dependent on condition and Matrix nos, Top sold value £2500 and lastly an average price of £25 depending on condition and matrix nos, top sold value £50 odd



The above example is of course floored in a number of ways and perhaps requires an anorak and a charisma bypass to hold any meaning. I can say as a record dealer I find the perspectives of collectors and audiophiles fascinating. Both pastimes (obsessions) find pleasure, meaning and value in quite unique ways...Unfortunately I suffer from both ailments

 

[Emma Royd]

Learn the centre labels first

for example uk issues

Bowie RCA 1st issues were Orange,re-issues Green or Black

Dire Staits Early lps were on an Orange label,re-issues on what is known as the spaceship label which are mainly blue.

As above post from AGrail

Gold label centre label is the 1st issue (only issued on please please me,not later Beatle lps)

Right label, yellow Parlophone is what is known as original after PPM and up to the White Album.

Black/Silver labels are re-issues.

 

[Guest]

Popsike will tell you what price albums have actually achieved.

Not what some overoptimistic dreamer is hoping for.

Also worth checking eBay, complted listings.

The devil is in the detail, 2 records of very similar appearance can be worth 5 quid or 500 quid.

If you perceive that as train spotting, fair enough.

 

[browellm]

Buy new music then you'll get 1st pressings. Zing!

 

[Guest]

Buy new music then you'll get 1st pressings. Zing!

Thats a good point Mark, sort of.

Its worth looking out for ltd editions of new albums, usually direct from a band's website.

Couple of years ago I got an email from The Cure's site about a splatter vinyl live album.

Cost £19.99.

Now worth about a hundred.

Which was nice.

 

[Guest]

Records are worth precisely zilch to me unless I enjoy listening to them.

Paying £2500 for an LP has sod all to do with being into music and everything to do with OCD collectors disease.

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

 

[Guest]

Records are worth precisely zilch to me unless I enjoy listening to them.

Paying £2500 for an LP has sod all to do with being into music and everything to do with OCD collectors disease.

The truth lies somewhere in the middle probably.

 

[Guest]

Records are worth precisely zilch to me unless I enjoy listening to them. Paying £2500 for an LP has sod all to do with being into music and everything to do with OCD collectors disease.

The truth lies somewhere in the middle probably.

£1250?

 

[Guest]

£1250?

:goodone: