Alphanumeric strings and Manufacture codes in vinyl runout etchings

NOTE TO ALL: FEEL FREE TO P.M. ME, BEING THAT THIS THREAD IS DEAD.

Starting this thread for compiled lists of Alphanumeric Strings and Manufacture Codes found in vinyl runout etchings. Please feel free to post any additions. This was started as just a personal project of mine, but after some discussion with some fellow oggers, I decided to make this a public project as I and others have found this list somewhat useful.

So far, we are compiling a list of:
L-00000 / L-00000-X (Greg Lee Processing in California, U.S. Lacquer processing firm) (the a-side & b-side numbers are the same)
S-00000 / S-00001 (Rainbo Records in California, U.S. Pressing Plant / Manufacturer) (the b-side number is usually always higher by 1)
L-00000 / L-00001 (Currently unknown U.S. manufacturer and/or lacquer processing plant?) (the b-side number is usually always higher by 1)
08-000000-20 (Dutch manufacturer Record Industry (formerly Sony/CBS) pressing plant in Holland.) (the a & b-side numbers are the same)
DRP-0000 (Dixie Record Pressing Inc. Pressing Plant / Manufacturer in Nashville, TN U.S.A.)
SLM △0000 / SLM △0000-X (Sheffield Lab Matrix, U.S. Lacquer processing firm) (the a-side & b-side numbers are the same)
MX 00000 / MX 00001 (MX, SMX, AMX) (CBS Records Australia Limited pressing plant (Pressed At) (the b-side number is usually always higher by 1)

-===========================-

L-##### / L-#####-X - (the a-side and b-side numbers are usually the same) Lacquers Processed at: Greg Lee Processing:

NOTE: The year listed is the approximate year the lacquer disc was processed at Greg Lee Processing and in some cases IS NOT same as the release year.
The release year could be the same year OR could be one year later OR could even be several years later in the case of some re-pressings or delayed releases, but could definately NOT be any years before the Lacquer was processed.

Available in List Format here:
http://www.discogs.com/lists/L-00000-L-00000-X-Greg-Lee-Processing-etchings-Lacquers-Processed-at-Greg-Lee-Processing/116083

S-##### / S-##### - (the b-side number is (usually) always higher by 1) Lacquers processed at and pressed at: Rainbo Records.

Available in List Format here:
http://www.discogs.com/lists/Etchings-S-00000-S-00001/115931

L-##### / L-##### - (the b-side number is (usually) always higher by 1) Currently unknown U.S. pressing or lacquer processing plant

Available in List Format here:
http://www.discogs.com/lists/L-00000-L-00001-etchings-Unknown-Pressing-Plant-Lacquer-Processing-Facility-California/121575

00-000000-00 - specifically: 08-000000-20 (a & b side numbers are usually the same) (manufactured at Record Industry (formerly Sony/CBS) pressing plant in Holland.)

List currently resides in the wiki here:
http://wiki.discogs.com/index.php/Record_Industry_pressing_plant_matrix_numbers

DRP-#### (Dixie Record Pressing Inc. Pressing Plant / Manufacturer in Nashville, TN U.S.A.)

Available in List Format here:
http://www.discogs.com/lists/DRP-0000-Dixie-Record-Pressing-Inc-etchingsNashville-TN-USA/121361

SLM △0000 / SLM △0000-X Sheffield Lab Matrix, U.S. Lacquer processing firm) (the a-side & b-side numbers are the same):

Available in List Format here:
http://www.discogs.com/lists/SLM-0000-SLM-0000-X-Sheffield-Lab-Matrix-etching/124567

MX 00000 / MX 00001 (MX, SMX, AMX) CBS Records Australia Limited pressing plant (Pressed At) (the b-side number is usually always higher by 1):

Available in List Format here:
(5 digit) http://www.discogs.com/lists/MX-00000-MX-00001-MX-SMX-AMX-CBS-Records-Australia-Limited-etchings-Pressed-At/127658

(6 digit) http://www.discogs.com/lists/MX-000000-MX-000001-6-digits-MX-MX-CBS-Records-Australia-Limited-etchings-Pressed-At/128495

Nice work!

_kerry
Nice work!

thanks, and thanks for your help & advice too. :-)

Update, thanks to Wegi for a big list of rleases.

This website might be helpful for both of our threads: http://www.anorakscorner.com/PressingPlantInfo.html

djindio
L-49793 / L-49793-X ??? Various - The Good, The Bad And The Ugly ??? Need to verify etchings

it appears like that
L-49793 / L-49793

djindio
What I would like to also see add and to begin listing (suggested to me by _kerry yesterday:
08-000000-20 (see more on this one here: http://www.discogs.com/help/forums/topic/224380 )

It's a geeky job and probably quite unnecessary to do but nevertheless I have started doing it. You can find the results here: http://wiki.discogs.com/index.php/Record_Industry_pressing_plant_matrix_numbers

I posted it on the Wiki pages to make it easy for anyone to contribute to. Most of what's there at the moment is pulled out of the database dumps at http://www.discogs.com/data/
The dumps are really hard to work with, it took a lot of work to strip unnecessary data from the xml. Good thing is I learnt a lot about regular expressions in the process :-) The data in the list at the moment is taken from the Catalog# and Notes sections. There's of course a lot of these numbers in the BaOI section but those aren't included in the dumps nor are searchable from the search field.
I have reformatted all entries to follow the xx-yyyyyy-yy formatting.
I have also added some later numbers (from 2004 and later) that don't have the 08- and -20 parts. Those are also hard to filter out so I have entered them manually. Since the numbers found in the BaOI section can't be searched I guess they have to be entered manually to, but I leave that to someone else, I'm getting tired of this :-/

_kerry
This website might be helpful for both of our threads: http://www.anorakscorner.com/PressingPlantInfo.html

wow, cool got some reading to do :-)

Bong
It's a geeky job and probably quite unnecessary

True, though I have found my list useful in debunking some incorrect release years on some vinyls, like, say, some releases being listed as 1983 when the lacquer was obviously cut in 1988.

Bong
I posted it on the Wiki pages to make it easy for anyone to contribute to.

That's great, good work! Though I gotta say the forums are probably easier for the average user and anyone can contribute to a list here as well. :-)

Bong
I have reformatted all entries to follow the xx-yyyyyy-yy formatting.

looking at release currently at the top of the list: 51 Days - Paper Moon has me wondering if those should probably be sorted by 'y' instead of 'x' as in xx-yyyyyy-zz ??

Bong
Most of what's there at the moment is pulled out of the database dumps

There are many that won't even show in any of the data dumps though, as the data has not been entered into the database yet and only shows up in the photos/scans:
08-031159-20 http://www.discogs.com/release/1818328
08-031179-20 http://www.discogs.com/release/932257
^entries such as the above will need to be compiled manually and/or sought out and the entries updated, for that this forum might be quite helpful.

Bong
It's a geeky job and probably quite unnecessary to do but nevertheless I have started doing it. You can find the results here: http://wiki.discogs.com/index.php/Record_Industry_pressing_plant_matrix_numbers

^added a link to the initial post of this thread :-)

adrien2329
it appears like that
L-49793 / L-49793

ok, cool, thanks!

djindio
Though I gotta say the forums are probably easier for the average user and anyone can contribute to a list here as well. :-)

Yeah, I thought about posting the list as a separate post in the forum but then I would have to maintain the top post like you do here and I feel I just don't have the time for that. If anyone would like to maintain the list in a forum post then I'm perfectly fine with that.
Also this is a long list that might mike it more suitable for the Wiki pages. Earlier it wasn't possible to add to a thread that hadn't had any activity for 90 days but maybe there's a way around that?

djindio
^entries such as the above will need to be compiled manually and/or sought out and the entries updated, for that this forum might be quite helpful.

I totally agree with you on this one.
This pressing plant have pressed so much records so a list could grow very big and many don't submit matrix numbers.
The easiest thing would of course be to contact someone at the pressing plant and ask if they can supply us with a complete list. I doubt that they would be willing to do that and if they did it would rob us of all the fun we have compiling this list ;-)

Bong; I'll be happy to transfer your list to this thread & attempt to maintain & update the list as well. :-)

Good work, and yes you may be very well right on the X as a b-side for almost all the pressings, but that doesn't mean it wasn't listed or charted as such for all as X as a b-side??

My point specifically is Jonny Chingas - I'm Looking For An Automatic Lover , this was the "A side" or at least more popular, and was on radio airwaves and in discos getting attention. I don't recall "Show me" as the A side?? "Auto Lover" was all over Miami and in the south disco's getting played. Perhaps this is the one exception to X rule ?

BarnyardOrbit
Jonny Chingas - I'm Looking For An Automatic Lover , this was the "A side" or at least more popular

there is no "A" side on that release as there is no printed side indicator = Double A side, the '1st side' is derived from both the 2 different catalog numbers on each side and the matrix etchings L-#### / L-####-X, both indicate the exact opposite of what you are saying.

added a few more.

added a few more.

hi djindio

i am to 100% percent sure that the S-#### / S-#### matrix numbers indicates that they are pressed at Rainbo Records.

look at this release http://www.discogs.com/Beastwars-Beastwars/release/3063718

as you can read here in this thread http://www.discogs.com/help/forums/topic/272192

i have more release with the S-#### matrix numbers if you need them for you list.

also i have L-####m, are they also pressed at Rainbo Records?

btw. great job :)

splintered8080
i am to 100% percent sure that the S-#### / S-#### matrix numbers indicates that they are pressed at Rainbo Records.

Cool, Thanks!!

The one thing I'm currently not sure of:
Is the S-##### series originally Rainbo Records? or is it originally another pressings plant that was purchased by or merged with Rainbo Records??

splintered8080
also i have L-####m, are they also pressed at Rainbo Records?

Not sure, there are a few other facilities that have used similar L prefix to their matrix#'s in other parts of the US & in other countries as well. Which release is it?

======

Currently my user Lists are more up to date (I haven't updated this thread in a couple of months...):
Greg Lee Processing L-00000/L-00000-X: http://www.discogs.com/lists/L-00000-L-00000-X-etchings-Rainbo-Records-Pressing-PlantPressed-at-Rainbo-Records/116083
Rainbo Records S-00000/S-00001: http://www.discogs.com/lists/S-00000-S-00001-etchings-Rainbo-Records-Pressing-Plant-California/115931
Currently Unknown? L-00000/L-00001: http://www.discogs.com/lists/L-00000-L-00001-etchings-Unknown-Pressing-Plant-Lacquer-Processing-Facility-California/121575
Dixie Record Pressing DRP-0000: http://www.discogs.com/lists/DRP-0000-etchings-Dixie-Record-Pressing-Inc-Nashville-TN-USA/121361

(edit: corrected 'Rainbo Records' -to-> 'Greg Lee Processing' for the L-00000 / L-00000-X etchings)

djindio
The one thing I'm currently not sure of:
Is the S-##### series originally Rainbo Records? or is it originally another pressings plant that was purchased by or merged with Rainbo Records??

it is orginally Rainbo Recors. got my info from a band member who pressed their LP at Rainbo Records. and this release has also the S-#### matrix code, both sides.

i am know behind the matrix code with U-####. let's see if the record company mail back at me.

djindio
Not sure, there are a few other facilities that have used similar L prefix to their matrix#'s in other parts of the US & in other countries as well. Which release is it?

it's this release The Upstroke - Porno Groove: The Sound Of 70's Adult Films :P

matrix numbers:

SSR-LP-265-A L-18721m-A PCMJR
SSR-LP-265-B L-18721m-B PCMJR

splintered8080
i am know behind the matrix code with U-####. let's see if the record company mail back at me.

okay, got it. the U-#### indicates that the release was pressed at United Record Pressing, Nashville.

here is an example about the matrix number Integrity (2) / Creepout - Integrity / Creepout

maybe you can use it also for your list?

cheerz

splintered8080
matrix numbers:
SSR-LP-265-A L-18721m-A PCMJR
SSR-LP-265-B L-18721m-B PCMJR

I'm not too up-to-date on the more recent releases, it's possible but I don't know.

Anyway, the 'PCMJR' part of the etching equals:

Add a credit: Mastered By - Mark Richardson (3)
Add a note: Mastered at Prairie Cat Mastering, IL
Location Link: http://www.prairiecatmastering.com/
Example: Blank Dogs - Waiting

^info taken from here (search the page for PCMJR):
http://www.discogs.com/help/forums/topic/221240

http://www.discogs.com/Mr-Bungle-Disco-Volante/release/1642462

Side A = S-66997 (the S could easily be mistaken for a 5, also the etching is bad, with lower and upper case used seemingly randomly. Sounds awful).
Side B - So crammed with the audio that there's no runout.

http://www.discogs.com/Mr-Bungle-California/release/2451154

Side A = s-73037 (very much like a 5 but side B is more like an S - badly etched, like a boy did it)
Side B = s-73038

Eviltoastman
badly etched, like a boy did it

where are the good ol' etchers gone :)

Eviltoastman
http://www.discogs.com/Mr-Bungle-Disco-Volante/release/1642462

R-##### -> is that another Rainbo matrix series? (I think so, read something like that a while back) old one revamped maybe??

splintered8080
where are the good ol' etchers gone :)

they need to hire some of the graffiti taggers who scribe all public transit windows, they etch quite well!

EDIT:
Anyone know if either the L-00001/L-00001-X or the S-00001/S-00002 matrices are originally from their old Santa Monica plant??

djindio
R-##### -> is that another Rainbo matrix series? (I think so, read something like that a while back) old one revamped maybe??

I have no idea, I just though you guys were collecting examples, but R-##### seem to be directly related to s-##### on that particular release as the 7" has the R prefixes anmd the LP S prefixes.

Here's another example of "S":

http://www.discogs.com/release/2660225
S-74387
S-74388

moved all to list format only (it's just easier for me that way) see links in the initial post, sorry & thanks.

Also started and added a new list for L-00000 / L-00001 (see initial post), not to be confused with L-00000 / L-00000-X.

Eviltoastman
http://www.discogs.com/release/2660225
S-74387
S-74388

^thanks, i'm guessing the clear vinyl in that MR is also Rainbo.

The Scorpio reissues also use the S xxxxx format for the runout (no dash between S and first number) but if memory serves correct I remember reading about Scorpio reissues at stevehoffman.tv and there was talk about them being pressed at Rainbo.

sreg0r
The Scorpio reissues also use the S xxxxx format for the runout (no dash between S and first number) but if memory serves correct I remember reading about Scorpio reissues at stevehoffman.tv and there was talk about them being pressed at Rainbo.

Any examples?

thanks.

Not sure if I am onto something but I was updating an Australian vinyl Nik Kershaw - Nobody Knows (Extended Mix) and noticed the MX XXXXXX in the runout. So I did a little searching and came across:

New Order - Blue Monday MX 202560, MX 202561
Sherbet - Life MX47843, MX47844
Doug Parkinson & The Southern Star Band - Under The Influence Of Love MX56315, MX56316
INXS - Bitter Tears MX306113, MX 306122

plus MANY more..

So I looked for MX & Australia and found: "The MX is characteristic for CBS Australia and is used since the 1950's." at http://www.factory-overseas.de/australia_cont.html

Not a lot to go on but it's a start =)

_kerry
Not a lot to go on but it's a start =)

And it's from my site :-)

CBS Records Australia was formed October 1977 out of A.R.C. (Australian Record Company) and the pressing plant was located in Artarmon.
In January 1991 CBS Records Australia changed its name to become Sony Music Australia Limited and in June 1991 the Artarmon pressing plant was closed down.

bump

sebfact
And it's from my site :-)

Hah! That's awesome =)

djindio
Any examples?

thanks.

Here are a few that I've found, looks like the S xxxxx comes with/without the dash depending on the mood of the guy cutting the lacquer.

http://www.discogs.com/Curtis-Mayfield-Curtis/release/1745291
http://www.discogs.com/Archie-Bell-The-Drells-Tighten-Up/release/1415490
http://www.discogs.com/Marvin-Gaye-Lets-Get-It-On/release/2788931

splintered8080
i am to 100% percent sure that the S-#### / S-#### matrix numbers indicates that they are pressed at Rainbo Records.

What about these - they also have a circled EDP sign in the run-outs?

S-15842 / S-15843 Misfits - Legacy Of Brutality
S-16670 / S-16671 Misfits - Die Die My Darling
S-16672 / S-16673 Samhain - Initium
S-16674 / S-16675 Samhain - Unholy Passion
S-16676 / S-16677 Samhain - November-Coming-Fire

http://www.discogs.com/Black-Keys-The-Big-Come-Up/release/2639256
S-49964
S-49965

_kerry
Not sure if I am onto something but I was updating an Australian vinyl Nik Kershaw - Nobody Knows and noticed the MX XXXXXX in the runout.

sebfact
CBS Records Australia was formed October 1977 out of A.R.C. (Australian Record Company) and the pressing plant was located in Artarmon.

Anyone feel like maintaining a list for that (or adding it to the wiki, like with the 08-000000-20 Record Industry plant) ??

^I'll be happy to add a link to the initial post.

sreg0r
Here are a few that I've found, looks like the S xxxxx comes with/without the dash depending on the mood of the guy cutting the lacquer.
http://www.discogs.com/Curtis-Mayfield-Curtis/release/1745291
http://www.discogs.com/Archie-Bell-The-Drells-Tighten-Up/release/1415490
http://www.discogs.com/Marvin-Gaye-Lets-Get-It-On/release/2788931

cool, thanks.

Ya, i've noticed a few other Rhino Records (2) related releases pressed at Rainbo:

Like this 1992 reissue:
http://www.discogs.com/Newcleus-Jam-On-It/release/1920588
^which corresponds with the release of this 1992 compilation:
http://www.discogs.com/Various-Street-Jams-Electric-Funk-Part-2/release/103920

Wegi
What about these - they also have a circled EDP sign in the run-outs?

The Lacquer was processed at Europadisk *(the black vinyl version was pressed at Europadisk), but the colour vinyl pressings were pressed at Rainbo Records (likely subcontracted by Europadisk for pressing the coloured vinyl).

EDIT:
You should change "Pressed At" to "Mastered At" for Europadisk on those colour pressings and add Pressed At - Rainbo Records.

There is no "Processed At" so we are using "Mastered At" for the time being:
Q: http://www.discogs.com/help/forums/topic/272226#2966439
A: http://www.discogs.com/help/forums/topic/272226#2975776
/EDIT

Eviltoastman
http://www.discogs.com/Black-Keys-The-Big-Come-Up/release/2639256
S-49964
S-49965

^cool, thanks. added.

djindio
cool, thanks. added.

I'm glad I came across the thread again because when I went back I had entered both sides as S-49964. :/

Eviltoastman
I had entered both sides as S-49964. :/

i see. :-)

djindio
The Lacquer was processed at Europadisk *(the black vinyl version was pressed at Europadisk), but the colour vinyl pressings were pressed at Rainbo Records (likely subcontracted by Europadisk for pressing the coloured vinyl).

Ok, added

What about R-00000 / R-00001 etchings?

R-10261 / R-10262 The Misfits* - 3 Hits From Hell

Pressed about the same time as:

S-16670 / S-16671 Misfits - Die, Die My Darling
S-16672 / S-16673 Samhain - Initium
S-16674 / S-16675 Samhain - Unholy Passion
S-16676 / S-16677 Samhain - November-Coming-Fire

_kerry
and noticed the MX XXXXXX in the runout.

sebfact
bump

ok, fine, i'll start a list for those too! :-)

Wegi
What about R-00000 / R-00001 etchings?

I've been trying to confirm that one, I can remember reading somewhere that R-##### were Rainbo Records etchings, but I haven't been able to find the link (I was sure I'd saved a link somewhere...?). It might have been on an old/archived thread on the stevehoffman.tv site forums, but I haven't been able to find it again...

L-5354 / L-5354-X Mötley Crüe - Stick To Your Guns / Toast Of The Town

^thanks, added.

This may be interesting:

"To: [email protected]
Hi,

Is the following matrix number so one of yours?

A - L-51625
B - L-51625X

Chris.

(My section of the conversation has been shortened and paraphrased).

Steve Sheldon <[email protected]> 17 October 2011 13:04
To: [email protected]
No not Rainbo, this number is the matrix from Greg Lee processing and they closed up about 12 years ago."

EDIT:

I was not sure if Steve was speaking specifically about this particular matrix or "L" prefixed matrix refs in general so I asked him and he wrote back:

"Rainbo # start with an S for 12 and 10 inch and a R for 7 inch."

It seems we need to clean up these L prefixed ref release, however, how do you explain this: Features generic rainbo Records stickers etc

Hmm, exellent, good lookin' out, thanks.

...but I don't think we're not getting the full story, as:

Eviltoastman
however, how do you explain this: Features generic rainbo Records stickers etc

^there are a few late 80's & some early/mid 90's releases with only (Cat#)-A/B and L-##### / L-#####-X etchings which I personally know:

1.> Were Pressed at Rainbo Records (the lacquers were taken directly to Rainbo Records by the label owner / executive producer).
2.> The etchings are only (catalog number with -A/-B at the end) plus L-##### and L-#####-X

My thought & conclusion:
Rainbo Records appearently outsourced some of it's 'processing' of the Lacquer discs to Greg Lee Processing, and never added their own S-##### etchings in such cases. That would certainly explain my confusion and also the confusion in this quote from John Golden formerly of K Disc Mastering here:

The L39721 / L39721X tells me it was pressed by Rainbo Records. They use an L for 12" and a R for 7" before their in-house matrix number.

http://www.discogs.com/help/forums/topic/221240?page=2#2780921

SO:

L-00000 / L-00000-X = processed at Greg Lee Processing.

S-00000 / S-00001 = processed at Rainbo Records & pressed at Rainbo Records?

Is S-##### a Rainbo Records in-house "processing" number then? (in other words, did Rainbo make the metal parts to press the record themselves in-house?)

Did Rainbo ever 'process' lacquers for other companies, or were all records processed at Rainbo with an S-##### etchings always pressed at Rainbo?

Eviltoastman
"Rainbo # start with an S for 12 and 10 inch and a R for 7 inch."

There are some colour vinyl 7" records pressed @ Rainbo with S-##### numbers in the runouts, so that also isn't always true.

I'd collate all the questions you have, and send an email to [email protected] politely asking if they'd mind answering a few questions. You can mention that we've been discussing this. I think it's best if you do this instead of me as it is your project and a great one and you know precisely what needs to be asked.

.

S-27216 / S-27217: http://www.discogs.com/Dr-Dre-The-Chronic/release/226082
0 Δ 20054 / 0 Δ 20054-X + S-19509 / S-19510: http://www.discogs.com/Social-Distortion-Prison-Bound/release/877248
L-19794 / L-19794-X: http://www.discogs.com/Ice-T-Killers-Body-Rock/release/80678
L-20011 / L-20011-X: http://www.discogs.com/Chris-The-Glove-Taylor-Dave-Storrs-Karlos-Z-Victor-Flores-Itchiban-Scratch/release/254994
L-33636 / L-33636-X: http://www.discogs.com/Social-Distortion-Another-State-Of-Mind/release/2019110
L-34725 / L-34725X: http://www.discogs.com/Angry-Samoans-STP-Not-LSD/release/1811193

S-21345 / S-21346: http://www.discogs.com/release/102716
S-22727 / S-22728: http://www.discogs.com/release/522507
S-27055 / S-27056: http://www.discogs.com/release/478075
S-27203 / S-27204: http://www.discogs.com/Eazy-E-5150-Home-4-Tha-Sick/release/243414
S-27775 / S-27776: http://www.discogs.com/Dr-Dre-Dre-Day/release/120550

S-77759 / S-77760 Dwarves - Fake ID

Eviltoastman
"L" prefixed matrix refs in general

I think I got it all cleaned up, also dug up some info on another pressing plant:
http://www.discogs.com/label/Tembo+Manufacturing+Co.

^which is possibly this one?:
http://www.corporationwiki.com/California/El-Segundo/tembo-manufacturing-inc/40437492.aspx

^which appearently lost it's business licenses (...if Tembo Manufacturing Co. equals Tembo Manufacturing, Inc.):
http://california.14thstory.com/tembo-manufacturing-inc.html

You're doing a great job here djindio.

_CHAIRMANoftheBORED_ & Wegi; thanks, added.

Hi djindio
I just noticed

_kerry
Not sure if I am onto something but I was updating an Australian vinyl Nik Kershaw - Nobody Knows and noticed the MX ###### in the runout. So I did a little searching and came across:

New Order - Blue Monday MX 202560, MX 202561
Sherbet - Life MX47843, MX47844
Doug Parkinson & Southern Star Band, The - Under The Influence Of Love MX56315, MX56316
INXS - Bitter Tears MX306113, MX 306122

plus MANY more..

So I looked for MX & Australia and found: "The MX is characteristic for CBS Australia and is used since the 1950's." at http://www.factory-overseas.de/australia_cont.html

Not a lot to go on but it's a start =)

I just wanted to draw attention to the fact that most Australian commercial, Top-40-type, Pop records (at least in my area of specialty, the 1970s-1980s and perhaps even further back in time) feature label matrices that use the MX###### (frequently 6, or however many numerals there are, sometimes lesser) in the string, which may then also well appear as part of the actual run-outs. Often they may be slightly altered or with additional 'stuff' around them, and/or spacings between them, or with a dash separating the MX from the numbers.

For instance, Festival Records Pty. Ltd. releases, which is the company that handled many, many Australian 1970s & 1980s releases across many, many internationally known labels (heaps!), local Australian ones, and an assortment of small-time labels, many, in all sorts of combos, often have the alpha-numeric string of "MX ######".

For example, in the "big label" manner:-
A&M Records:
Iggy Pop - Isolation
Carpenters - Please Mr. Postman
Peter Allen - I Go To Rio
Supertramp - I'm Beggin' You
Chris de Burgh - Lady In Red
The Police - Don't Stand So Close To Me - '86
Chrysalis:
Pat Benatar - Love Is A Battlefield
Factory:
Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
Island:
Grace Jones - Pull Up To The Bumper
Steve Winwood - Higher Love
Bob Marley & The Wailers - Stir It Up
Shelter Record Company Inc.
J.J. Cale - Cocaine

This is also the same as for the Australian label Mushroom Records
eg. Shirley* - Tracks Of My Tears;; The Angels - We Gotta Get Out Of This Place;; Split Enz - Time And Tide;; Split Enz - Corroboree

And then a smaller, local Australian label:-
--Avenue Records (3):
The Veterans - There Ain't No Age For Rock 'n' Roll
Jimmy & The Boys* - They Won't Let My Girlfriend Talk To Me
Mondo Rock - Mondo Rock Chemistry

And then with other Australian companies using other labels:-
--BMG Arista / Ariola Limited:
RCA Victor
Eartha Kitt And Bronski Beat - Cha Cha Heels
Mute
Depeche Mode - Everything Counts, Nothing (label's not entered on this one, but is Mute)
--Australian Record Company Limited:
CBS
Dragon (5) - Sunshine
--WEA Records Pty Ltd.
Elektra
Queen - A Day At The Races
MCA
Nik Kershaw - Radio Musicola (not the right Label, probably should be MCA)
Sire
Madonna - Who's That Girl

and so, on and so on. The same will also occur with Festival Records (NZ) Ltd. and PolyGram Records Pty. Limited (eg. Berlin - Dancing In Berlin (Dance Remix);; Animotion - Obsession;; Flame Fortune - Sex Symbol)

A cursory glance by me through the assortment of Australian EMI companies shows that MX ###### is NOT used for EMI records (not that I own anyway).

So I reckon just be wary that the MX##### thing isn't taken as indicative of being attached to any particular label nor company. And not just CBS Records Australia Limited, as maybe intially thought ^^ by _kerry. I do have a couple of CBS Australian company ones that do reflect what _kerry says, Various - Rockin' The USA & Matt Moffitt - Miss This Tonight. However, it is not exclusively the case it's just "characteristic of CBS Australia".

I just wanted to make sure "The MX is characteristic for CBS Australia and is used since the 1950's" wasn't taken as entirely correct by itself.
Phew!!

[EDIT: minor sentence deletion & typo]

The C-00000/C-00000-x etchings seem to be sloppy etched Ls.

Epitaph records seems to have let their records pressed at Rainbo from 1993 and later. The first pressings of the older records come without the S etchings, but on all records from 1994 and later I was able to find them.
And represses of the older ones have S etchings from 1994 and later:
http://www.discogs.com/NOFX-White-Trash-Two-Heebs-And-A-Bean/release/763062
http://www.discogs.com/NOFX-White-Trash-Two-Heebs-And-A-Bean/release/3091168

L-8201 / L-8201 AX: http://www.discogs.com/Bad-Religion-How-Could-Hell-Be-Any-Worse/release/501472

L-14125 / L-14125-X: http://www.discogs.com/Bad-Religion-Into-The-Unknown/release/478688
L-18722-X (single sided): http://www.discogs.com/Bad-Religion-Back-To-The-Known/release/1028382
L-19728 / L-19728-X: http://www.discogs.com/DOA-War-On-45/release/2317752
L-19993 / L-19993-X: http://www.discogs.com/Reagan-Youth-Youth-Anthems-For-The-New-Order/release/408604
L 29684 / L 29684 X: http://www.discogs.com/Pantera-Power-Metal/release/1855450
L 29900 / L 29900 X: http://www.discogs.com/NO-F-X-The-Album/release/1654079
L-30235 / L-30235-x: http://www.discogs.com/Doughboys-Whatever/release/1530546
L 31287 / L 31287 X: http://www.discogs.com/Bad-Religion-Suffer/release/378560
L-34337 / L-34337-X: http://www.discogs.com/Bad-Religion-No-Control/release/378568
L-34917 / L-34917: http://www.discogs.com/Samiam-I-Am/release/2326260 (the x is missing)
L-35581 / L-35581-X: http://www.discogs.com/Fuel-Take-Effect/release/2326349
L-36297 / L-36297-X: http://www.discogs.com/Bad-Religion-Against-The-Grain/release/402278
L-36883 / L-36883-X: http://www.discogs.com/NOFX-Ribbed/release/1230769
L-37300 / L-37300X: http://www.discogs.com/Down-By-Law-Down-By-Law/release/809007
L-37929 / L-37929X: http://www.discogs.com/Pennywise-Pennywise/release/392701
L-38856 / L-38856x: http://www.discogs.com/Millions-Of-Dead-Cops-II-Hey-Cop-If-I-Had-A-Face-Like-Yours/release/1251328
L-39014 / L-39014X: http://www.discogs.com/Dag-Nasty-Four-On-The-Floor/release/892811
L-39015 / L-39015X: http://www.discogs.com/Bad-Religion-Generator/release/501553
L-40016 / L-40016-X: http://www.discogs.com/Offspring-Ignition/release/1051834
L-40070 / L-40070-X: http://www.discogs.com/release/381008
L-40459 / L-40459-X: http://www.discogs.com/Iconoclast-2-Merel-Iconoclast-Merel/release/1082627
L-41270 / L-41270-X: http://www.discogs.com/Bad-Religion-Recipe-For-Hate/release/417775
L-41530 / L-41530-X & S-28049 / S-28050: http://www.discogs.com/Pennywise-Unknown-Road/release/517142
L-41836 / L-41836X: http://www.discogs.com/Jawbreaker-24-Hour-Revenge-Therapy/release/1595004
L-42245 / L-42245-x: http://www.discogs.com/Rancid-Radio-Radio-Radio/release/546193
L-52243 / L-52243X: http://www.discogs.com/Dillinger-Four-This-Shit-Is-Genius-A-Collection-Of-Assorted-Songs-From-1994-1997/release/2601029
L-52650 / L-52650X: http://www.discogs.com/Boysetsfire-After-The-Eulogy/release/3166188
L-52766 / L-52766X: http://www.discogs.com/Shelter-When-20-Summers-Pass/release/1873102
L-52773 / L-52773x: http://www.discogs.com/Leatherface-Horsebox/release/1030767

S-9890 / S-9891: http://www.discogs.com/release/1417525 (1982 repress, the 4 24892 / 4 24892x etchings coulds be interpreted as L etchings, but in fact look like a 4 or an A)
S-9971 / S-9972: http://www.discogs.com/H%C3%BCsker-D%C3%BC-Everything-Falls-Apart/release/1576696
S-12679 / S-12680: http://www.discogs.com/Replacements-Let-It-Be/release/391888
S-13279 / S-13280: http://www.discogs.com/Slayer-Live-Undead/release/3033249
S-14710 / S-14711: http://www.discogs.com/Corrosion-Of-Conformity-Animosity/release/1417235
S-19141 / S-19142: http://www.discogs.com/Various-Salvation-Original-Soundtrack/release/86110
S-19147 / S-19148: http://www.discogs.com/Government-Issue-Boycott-Stabb/release/2402317
S-19438 / S-19439: http://www.discogs.com/Anna-Domino-Tempting/release/1457188
S-22599 / S-22600: http://www.discogs.com/Big-Wheel-East-End/release/1909939
S-22711 / S-22712 / S-22713 / S-22714: http://www.discogs.com/Various-Every-Band-Has-A-Shonen-Knife-Who-Loves-Them/release/581596
S-24303 / S-24304: http://www.discogs.com/Doughboys-Happy-Accidents/release/2313889
S-29420 / S-29421: http://www.discogs.com/Down-By-Law-Punkrockacademyfightsong/release/879735
S-29454 / S-29455: http://www.discogs.com/NOFX-Punk-In-Drublic/release/419987
S-31747 / S-31748: http://www.discogs.com/Rancid-And-Out-Come-The-Wolves/release/892807
S-32656 / S-32657 / S-32658 / S-32659: http://www.discogs.com/Down-By-Law-All-Scratched-Up/release/1298693
S-33651 / S-33652: http://www.discogs.com/New-Bomb-Turks-Scared-Straight/release/1949686
S-33729 / S-33730: http://www.discogs.com/ALL-Pummel/release/961367
S-34279 / S-34280: http://www.discogs.com/No-Fun-At-All-Out-Of-Bounds/release/892879
S-36E75 / S-36E76: http://www.discogs.com/NOFX-So-Long-And-Thanks-For-All-The-Shoes/release/1641608
S-37257 / S-37258: http://www.discogs.com/New-Bomb-Turks-At-Ropes-End/release/724737
S-48386 / S-48387: http://www.discogs.com/Bad-Religion-The-Process-Of-Belief/release/501525
S 52672 / S 52673: http://www.discogs.com/Velvet-Underground-Nico-The-Velvet-Underground-Nico/release/1880843
S-54467 / S-54468: http://www.discogs.com/Bad-Religion-The-Empire-Strikes-First/release/501536

edit: order

djindio
ok, fine, i'll start a list for those too! :-)

So, where is the list?

1skinnylad
I just wanted to make sure "The MX is characteristic for CBS Australia and is used since the 1950's" wasn't taken as entirely correct by itself.

We do not talk about CBS Records Australia as a label but as a manufacturer, located at Artarmon. And if we reduce it to that, then we can 100% surely assign the MX numbers to them. And indeed that plant pressed for several Australian and NZ labels, except for EMI (for obvious reasons). This has also been confirmed by Australian mastering engineers or other persons related to that.

Interesting in that respect are the "MX variations" SMX, DMX and DTMX for which I haven't got a solid explanation. At first I thought DTMX is used for coloured vinyl only, until Happy Mondays - Kinky Groovy Afro came along and sort of cracked that assumption. For the others I have too few copies to see label/date/release type patterns.

Another series:
EMI in Uden
They used xxxx-1-Y as code from at least 1980 until 1983.
Example: 46584-1-Y (side A) and 46585-1-Y (side B)
found here Young And Company* - I Like What You're Doing To Me!.

From 1983 on they used nnnn-x as codes.
Example: 53533-1 (side A) and 53534-1 (side B)
found here Quando Quango - Genius

The later numbers are usually found after the label cat# and separated by a "//" (but sometimes with "/" only or a blank even).

However, potentially a Scandinavian PolyGram pressing plant seems to have used xxxx-1-Y as numbers, too, e.g. New Order - Ceremony or Joy Division - Transmission.
Unless these were indeed pressed in NL and then shipped to Scandinavia. Number-wise they do fit into the Uden scheme though.

sebfact
We do not talk about CBS Records Australia as a label but as a manufacturer, located at Artarmon. And if we reduce it to that, then we can 100% surely assign the MX numbers to them.

ok, cool, thanks for the info.

sebfact
So, where is the list?

http://www.discogs.com/lists/MX-00000-MX-00001-MX-SMX-AMX-CBS-Records-Australia-Limited-etchings-Pressed-At/127658

adding it the 1st post now, thanks for reminding me (list was still set to private too!).

1skinnylad
I just wanted to draw attention to the fact that most Australian commercial, Top-40-type, Pop records (at least in my area of specialty, the 1970s-1980s and perhaps even further back in time) feature label matrices that use the MX###### (frequently 6, or however many numerals there are, sometimes lesser) in the string, which may then also well appear as part of the actual run-outs.

cool, processing your links now! :-)

_CHAIRMANoftheBORED_
The C-00000/C-00000-x etchings seem to be sloppy etched Ls.

That is what I was also thinking, hard to tell without seeing the runouts for myself though. If the number corresponds to the predicted year, then I'm just adding them to the L-00000 / L-00000-X list for now.

_CHAIRMANoftheBORED_
Epitaph records seems to have let their records pressed at Rainbo from 1993 and later. The first pressings of the older records come without the S etchings, but on all records from 1994 and later I was able to find them.
And represses of the older ones have S etchings from 1994 and later:
http://www.discogs.com/NOFX-White-Trash-Two-Heebs-And-A-Bean/release/763062
http://www.discogs.com/NOFX-White-Trash-Two-Heebs-And-A-Bean/release/3091168

763062 White Trash, Two Heebs And A Bean appears to have been pressed at Tembo Manufacturing Co., compare the large stamper ring on each:
NOFX vs. Tembo TP

1skinnylad
Factory:Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart

Hmmm, that other pressing in that MR looks like it could be a U.S. pressed bootleg if the current photos are of the actual item and IF the ring impressions do not match other pressings on that label from the Australia pressing plants! Compare the 'pressing ring mark on these two:

Tembo TP vs. Joy Division (image resized & adjusted for bad cropping) vs. CBS Australia TP

^It could be simply the exact same record press being used in Australia in the 80's?? Does the pressing you own have that same large, single ring impression on it?

edit: ^ sebfact, you added the CBS Australia test press image, any thoughts? Maybe just the label-size on that Joy Division record causing an illusion, resulting in inaccurate re-cropping & re-sizing on my part?? Paper inner-sleeve on that one has a smaller hole covering part of the label maybe?

Sorry, you've lost me.
The wide ring mark is the "speciality" of CBS pressings (as opposed to a narrow ring mark for EMI pressings as seen here http://www.discogs.com/viewimages?release=2344700 ).
Sometimes the ring is "elevated", sometimes it appears to be sunken, sometimes both.
The images of Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart are correct (albeit blurry), it's definitely an Aussie pressing.
No idea what's wrong with the TP image. I only scaled it down from 1000x981.

sebfact
No idea what's wrong with the TP image.

No, not your TP images, the images on the Joy Division entry.

sebfact
The wide ring mark is the "speciality" of CBS pressings

I'm referring specifically to the size of the ring (it's usually one size right?).

^I'm wondering if we are not seeing the entire label in this image here (partially covered by the innersleeve?) because the stamper ring appears larger in diameter than the one on your CBS test press image.

djindio
I'm wondering if we are not seeing the entire label in this image here (partially covered by the innersleeve?)

Indeed. I have uploaded some high res. scans now.

The diameter ought to be the same on all pressings. But honestly I have never thought of validating this :-)

djindio
http://www.discogs.com/lists/MX-00000-MX-00001-MX-SMX-AMX-CBS-Records-Australia-Limited-etchings-Pressed-At/127658

Wouldn't it be easier to maintain that as a Wiki?
I bet they pressed thousands of records...

sebfact
Wouldn't it be easier to maintain that as a Wiki?

Probably, but I only wiki wiki wiki when I have to for work (headache4me). List is quicker to process 4 me. If anyone wants to wiki this, I'd be happy to link it in the main/initial post.

sebfact
Indeed. I have uploaded some high res. scans now.The diameter ought to be the same on all pressings. But honestly I have never thought of validating this :-)

Cool thanks!. Explanation: I've been going through all the underground megamixes & pseudo/cheap-ass bedroom-dj sounding remix records as well as all the JDC Records' releases that were pressed at Tembo Manufacturing Co., only a handful can be confirmed by corresponding test pressings, so i've been resizing any photos/scans to more easily compare them to test pressing images from Tembo Manufacturing Co.. The scans on that Joy Division record just caught my eye because of that, probably.

(edit: typo)

Here's two more to the "L-00000 / L-00000-X" list

L-51813 / L-51813 X

L-52403 / L-52403 X

EDIT: make it three
[url=http://www.discogs.com/AtTheDrive-In-Sunshine-AtTheDrive-In-Sunshine/release/1955724]
L-52848 / L-52848 X[/url]

sebfact
indeed that plant pressed for several Australian and NZ labels, except for EMI (for obvious reasons). This has also been confirmed by Australian mastering engineers or other persons related to that.

I'm not really understanding this topic I think.

But basically, are you saying that the Artarmon manufacturing plant would've actually made (as in actually pressed and manufactured in a factory) all the Australian pressings of vinyl that have a label matix of MX #####/# (either 5 or 6 digits after the MX bit)?

For a quicker pointer of heaps of MX #####/# used on label matrices, may I suggest checking the label matrices on almost all the 7" records in My Collection? Especially the ones I've submitted.

Ignore, seen this and understand. http://www.discogs.com/help/forums/topic/272226#2975776

1skinnylad
But basically, are you saying that the Artarmon manufacturing plant would've actually made (as in actually pressed and manufactured in a factory) all the Australian pressings of vinyl that have a label matix of MX #####/#

I have been going through my documentation for Factory Australia. In one mail I found the following:
1. All CBS pressings have a ring about 2.5" out from the centre hole.
2. CBS have been giving discs MX numbers since the mid 1950's, and there's absolutely no reason to leave it off a disc - regardless who or which label ordered it. CBS were one of the biggest (and best) disc manufacturers in Australia, and they did a lot of work for indies. An MX matrix number is a sure sign a disc was cut by CBS, rather than just pressed by them.
--> Confirmed by an Australian ex-cutting engineer for CBS in the 80's. I couldn't trace back who that was but the guy having written that to me was a relative and I think he also did internships at Artarmon.
Edit: Typo

As follows, a list with my CBS pressings. Promos and test pressings not listed have same MX number as stock release.
MX 202079 / MX 202080 New Order - Ceremony
MX 202560 / MX 202561- New Order - Blue Monday
MX 202560 / MX 202561- New Order - Blue Monday
MX 202560-B / MX 202561-B New Order - Blue Monday
MX 202598 / MX 202599 New Order - Power, Corruption & Lies
MX 202941 / MX 202942 New Order - Movement
MX 203181-B / MX 203182-B New Order - Confusion
MX 203339 / MX 203340 Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
MX 203449 / MX 203450 New Order - 1981-1982
MX 203769 / MX 203770 ACR* - I Need Someone Tonite
MX 203781 / MX 203782 Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
MX 203871 / MX 203872 Joy Division - Atmosphere
MX 204207 / MX 204208 New Order - Thieves Like Us
MX 207719 / MX 207720 Joy Division - Closer
MX 207719 / MX 207720 Joy Division - Closer
MX 215049 / MX 215050 Joy Division - Transmission
MX 215727 / MX 215728 New Order - Low-life
MX 215729 / MX 215730 New Order - The Perfect Kiss
MX 216719 B / MX 216720 - B New Order - Sub-Culture
MX 216719 B / MX 216720 - B New Order - Sub-Culture
MX 216851 / MX 216852 Quando Quango - Pigs + Battleships
MX 216853 / MX 216854 Quando Quango - Love Tempo / Atom Rock
MX 217959 / MX 217960 New Order - State Of The Nation
MX 217961 / MX 217962 New Order - Brotherhood
MX 218167 / MX 218168 New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle / State Of The Nation
MX 218169 / MX 218170 New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle
MX 218171 / MX 218172 / MX 218181 / MX 218182 A Certain Ratio - Force / The Old & The New
MX 218173 Smx 74693 / MX 218174 SMX 74694 / MX 218175 SMX 74747 / MX 218176-B SMX 74748 The Durutti Column - Valuable Passages
MX 219017 B / MX 219018 A Certain Ratio - Bootsy
MX 219143-D / MX 219144 The Railway Children - Reunion Wilderness
MX 219145 / MX 219146 The Railway Children - Brighter
MX 219255 / MX 219256.C Various - Young Popular And Sexy
MX 219481.B / MX 219482 Happy Mondays - Squirrel And G-Man Twenty Four Hour Party People Plastic Face Carnt Smile (White Out)
MX 219521 / MX 219522 New Order - True Faith / 1963
MX 219579 / MX 219580 New Order - True Faith / 1963
MX 219581 / MX 219582 / MX 219583 / MX 219584 New Order - Substance
MX 219773 / MX 219774 New Order - True Faith Remix
MX 219887.B / MX 219888.B ACR* - Bootsy (Remix)
MX 250121 / MX 250122.B The Durutti Column - The Guitar And Other Machines
MX 250175 / MX 250176 New Order - Touched By The Hand Of God
MX 250177 / MX 250178 New Order - Touched By The Hand Of God
MX 250181 / (MX 250182 scratched out) MX 250212 Jumpin' Jesus / Dominique* - You Can't Blackmail Jesus / Play The Beat
MX 250235 / MX 250236 Various - Salvation!
MX 250673 / MX 250674 NewOrder* - Blue Monday 1988 / Beach Buggy
MX 250675 / MX 250676 NewOrder* - Blue Monday 1988
MX 250813 / MX 250814 Joy Division - Atmosphere
MX 250815 / MX 250816 Joy Division - Atmosphere
MX 250827 / MX 250828 Joy Division - Substance
MX 251429 / MX 251430 Neworder* - Fine Time
MX 251573.B / MX 251574 Neworder* - Technique
MX 251701-B / MX 251702 Neworder* - Fine Time
MX 251751 / MX 251752 Neworder* - Fine Time (Remix)
MX 251889 / MX 251890 Neworder* - Round&round
MX 251891 / MX 251892 Neworder* - Round&round
MX 251893 / MX 251894 Neworder* - Round&remix
MX 251905.B / MX 251906.B The Durutti Column - Vini Reilly
MX 85381 / MX 85382 Happy Mondays - Stinkin Thinkin

DATMX-74673 / DATMX-74674 Englandneworder* - World In Motion...

DMX-74103 / DMX-74104 Revenge - Pineapple Face
DMX-74843 / DMX-74844 Englandneworder* - World In Motion (Remix)
DMX 76699 / DMX [76734 scratched out] Happy Mondays - Loose Fit
DMX 76733 / DMX 76734 Happy Mondays - Loose Fit
DMX 76737 / DMX 76738 Happy Mondays - Kinky Groovy Afro (Euromix)
DMX 80369 / DMX 80370 Happy Mondays - Judge Fudge / Staying Alive

DTMX-74817 / DTMX-74818 Revenge - Pineapple Face
DTMX 75391 / DTMX 75392 Cath Carroll - Beast
DTMX-75393 / DTMX-75394 Revenge - I'm Not Your Slave + Amsterdam
DTMX 75673 / DTMX 75674 Happy Mondays - Kinky Groovy Afro
DTMX-75677 / DTMX-75678 Northside (2) - My Rising Star
DTMX 75797 / DTMX 75798 Kalima - Shine On
DTMX 75907 / DTMX 75908 Happy Mondays - Step On / Hallelujah
DTMX 75909 / DTMX 75910 Revenge - I'm Not Your Slave
DTMX-77727 / DTMX-77728 Happy Mondays - Loose Fit

SMX 62269 / SMX 62270 Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax (U.S. Dance Mix)
SMX-66327 / SMX-66328 New Order - Shell-Shock
SMX-66441 / SMX-66442 New Order - Shell-Shock

sorry for the absence, haven't been 100% well in the past few, will try & get to these additions this coming week.

sebfact
As follows, a list with my CBS pressings. Promos and test pressings not listed have same MX number as stock release.

Done. Split listed into 5-digit & 6-digit list as the years overlap & some releases have both:
5-digit http://www.discogs.com/lists/MX-00000-MX-00001-MX-SMX-AMX-CBS-Records-Australia-Limited-etchings-Pressed-At/127658
6-digit http://www.discogs.com/lists/MX-000000-MX-000001-6-digits-MX-MX-CBS-Records-Australia-Limited-etchings-Pressed-At/128495

sebfact
MX 218173 Smx 74693 / MX 218174 SMX 74694 / MX 218175 SMX 74747 / MX 218176-B SMX 74748 Durutti Column, The - Valuable Passages

^that appears to be a 1990 (re)pressing based on the SMX numbers (see 5-digit list, currently at #29 at this time.)

anssisal
Here's two more to the "L-00000 / L-00000-X" list

added, thanks.

_CHAIRMANoftheBORED_
And represses of the older ones have S etchings from 1994 and later:

Note to self, need to add these to lists next.

Eviltoastman
Ignore

... {looks.the.other.way}

More to the "L-00000 / L-00000-X" list

L-16514 / L-16514-X Septic Death - Need So Much Attention... Acceptance Of Whom
L-22792 / L-22792-X Septic Death - Time Is The Boss- Aaarrggh It's Live!
L-26861 / L-26861-X Misfits - Famous Misfits Of Filmland
L-28533 / L-28533-X The Misfits* - Max's Kansas City
L-29007 / L-29007-X Misfits - In Your Face!
L-29118 / L-29118-X Samhain / The Misfits* - Fiend Club
L-30490 / L-30490-X Misfits - Evil-Five
L-31222 / L-31222-X Danzig - First Show 4-9-88
L 32265 / L 32265-X Samhain - A Bucket Of Blood
L-32900 / L-32900-X Danzig - Live @ The Stone S.F. 1989
L-35776 / L-35776-X Misfits - Eyes To Despise
L-37100 / L-37100-X Tad - 8-Way Santa
L-45227 / L-45227-X Aunt Worm - Saucy Young Lady
L-46402 / L-46402-X Cosmic Psychos - She's A Lost Cause
L-46719 / L-46719-X Cowslingers* - Trucker's Last Dollar
L-46810 / L-46810-X The Clarke Nova - Highway Star
L-46911 / L-46911-X The Onyas - Live For Rejection
L-46912 / L-46912-X Flux (21) - Plains At Ground Zero
L-46913 / L-46913-X Infested - Who They Are
L-47708 / L-47708-X Sex Pistols / Sofisticatos - No Feelings '76 / New York Rocket '78
L-47109 / L-47109-X The Viletones - Screamin Fist
L-47110 / L-47110-X Sex Pistols / The Ugly - Pretty Vacant / Disorder / You Bug Me
L-47111 / L-47111-X The Action Suits!* - Cancer Father
L-47115 / L-47115-X Daddy Longhead - Daddy Longhead
L-47194 / L-47194-X Magic Dirt - I Was Cruel
L-47726 / L-47226-X Schweinhund - Bastard
L-47484 / L-47484-X The Heads (2) - Delwyn's Conkers
L-47504 / L-47504-X Six Minute War Madness - SMWM
L-47505 / L-47505-X Tree (3) - This Land
L-47723 / L-47723-X The Ton-Ups - Kill Me Slow
L-47724 / L-47724-X The Demonics - R.I.P.S.T.P.
L-47725 / L-47725-X Hammerlock - Knock Her Out
L-47757 / L-47757-X Croatan - Terror In My Pants
L-47680 / L-47680-X Fu Manchu - Godzilla
L-47922 / L-47922-X Dwarves / Blag Dahlia - We Must Have Blood / Surfing The Intercourse Barn
L-48155 / L-48155-X Mensclub - Woman Driver
L-48607 / L-48607-X Honky (2) - Ten Inches
L-48613 / L-48613-X Los Cowslingers* - Mexican Blackbird
L-48654 / L-48654-X Acid King - Down With The Crown
L-48887 / L-48887-X Fireballs - Fireballs
L-48888 / L-48888-X Zeke - Woo Pig Souie
L-49074 / L-49074-X Orange Goblin - Nuclear Guru
L-49075 / L-49075-X Electric Wizard (2) - Chrono.naut
L-49076 / L-49076-X Fang (2) - Hair Of The Dog
L-49112 / L-49112-X Speedbuggy - George Owens
L-49391 / L-49391-X The Desert Sessions - Vol I. Instrumental Driving Music For Felons
L-49566 / L-49566-X The Heads (2) - Mao Tinitus
L-49697 / L-49697-X Fuckemos - Celebration!
L-49777 / L-49777-X The Desert Sessions - Vol II. Status: Ships Commander Butchered
L-49780 / L-49780-X Hai Karate - Hai Karate
L-49788 / L-49788-X Sex Pistols / Curse (6) - Problems
L-49889 / L-49889-X The Desert Sessions - Vol III. Set Co-Ordinates For The White Dwarf!!!
L-50392 / L-50392-X Kitty Kitty - Kitty Kitty mispress of: Valis (5) / Kitty Kitty - Valis / Kitty Kitty
L-50564 / L-50564-X The Hookers - Must Kill! Must Kill!
L-50565 / L-50392-X Valis (5) / Kitty Kitty - Valis / Kitty Kitty (correct A-side)
L-50638 / L-50638-X The Desert Sessions - Vol IV / Hard Walls And Little Trips
L-50639 / L-50639-X Queens Of The Stone Age / Beaver - Queens Of The Stone Age / Beaver
L-50764 / L-50764-X The Hellacopters - Supershitty To The Max!
L-50765 / L-50765-X The Vectors (4) - Some Raging Rock -N- Roll II
L-50766 / L-50766-X Hangnail (3) - One Million Layers B.C.
L-50808 / L-50808-X Vodka Collins - Tokyo New York
L-50951 / L-50951-X Fatso Jetson - Flames For All
L-50953 / L-50953-X Queens Of The Stone Age - Queens Of The Stone Age
L-51039 / L-51039-X Nebula (3) - Sun Creature
L-51099 / L-51099-X Fu Manchu - Eatin' Dust
L-51183 / L-51183-X The Hellacopters - Doggone Your Bad-Luck Soul
L-51184 / L-51184-X Gluecifer - Gary O'Kane
L-51231 / L-51231-X Fu Manchu - (Godzilla's) Eatin' Dust
L-51232 / L-51232-X Greenmachine - The Earth Beater. Ver. 05
L-51372 / L-51373-X Goatsnake - Goatsnake I
L-51624 / L-51624-X Church Of Misery - Murder Company
L-51625 / L-51625-X Iron Monkey (3) - We've Learned Nothing
L-51626 / L-51626-X Desert Sessions* - Black Anvil Ego Vol 6
L-51627 / L-51627-X The Desert Sessions - Volume V: Poetry For The Masses (Sea Shed Shithead By The She Sore)
L-51803 / L-51803-X Pageninetynine* - Document #4
L-51807 / L-51807-X Entombed - Black Juju
L-51959 / L-51959-X Robots* - The Good Times Are Killing Me
L-51960 / L-51960-X Beaver - Lodge
L-52007 / L-52007-X Bulemics* - Blurred Vision & Twisted Thoughts
L-52134 / L-52134-X Dozer (3) - Supersoul
L-52341 / L-52341-X, L-52342 / L-52342-X, L-52343 / L-52343-X Earthlings? - Human Beans
L-52344 / L-52344-X Candy Snatchers - This Is Rock-N-Roll?
L-52560 (on all 4 sides) Euro Boys - Long Day's Flight 'Till Tomorrow
L-52762 / L-52762-X Euroboys* - 1999 Man

Edit: more added

Δ MX: Δ is the sign of Tony Taurins, the cutting engineer :-)

Thanks for the Tembo Manufacturing Co. info!

sebfact
Δ MX: Δ is the sign of Tony Taurins, the cutting engineer :-)

I'd recommend double checking that, the triangle is quite ften used to denote metalwork/processing from what I've seen (in the U.S. anyway.)

With Tony usually being short for Anthony, it's possible it's a triangle looking A ??

_CHAIRMANoftheBORED_
Thanks for the Tembo Manufacturing Co. info!

I'm still trying to find out the exact year they were shut down, but they were originally incorporated June 06, 1980, and were shut down either 1989 or 90, not sure yet.

djindio
'd recommend double checking that, the triangle is quite ften used to denote metalwork/processing from what I've seen (in the U.S. anyway.)
With Tony usually being short for Anthony, it's possible it's a triangle looking A ??

No need to double-check. This has been independently confirmed by Don Bartley and Steve Smart, who both have been working extensively with Tony in the Artarmon plant. And it's indeed a Delta, not a stylised A. However, nobody could confirm if it's indeed Anthony, he was always "Tony". Could be anything as he immigrated from Latvia.

@ sebfact ok, just thought I'd mention it and ask.

hi djindio

have found some interesting matrix numbers

they have always a 320 in the runout

Life / Late Last Night
or
The Best Of Jimi Hendrix

Hi splintered8080,

We actually found out what 320 was in the previous runout thread:

A country designation code.

"From http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/archive/index.php/t-116774.html

420 = UK [ex: Linda Carr & The Love Squad - Highwire ]
670 = Holland [ex: Claude Debussy – Hans Henkemans - Images ]
320 = Germany [ex: Matthews Southern Comfort* - Woodstock ]
710 = Scandinavia [ex: The dB's - Stands For Decibels ]"

There are a few more #'s with countries floating around.

splintered8080
hi djindio

have found some interesting matrix numbers

hello, looks like i'm late in my reply:

_kerry
We actually found out what 320 was in the previous runout thread:

A country designation code.

thanks _kerry, is it known which company or manufacturer uses those codes?

sebfact
Δ MX: Δ is the sign of Tony Taurins, the cutting engineer :-)

Fantastic! if right, I have quite a few in my collection with them I seem to recall. Am very familar with the delta Δ and I think, off the top of my head, it may also appear against some handwritten run-outs that are SMX as well as the usual MX.

May I just double-check that a 'cutter' type of credit role for what I gather is the mastering process in the manufacture of a vinyl, means that this is always translated/credited into the 'Mastered By' credit role, yes?

djindio
thanks _kerry, is it known which company or manufacturer uses those codes?

This link gives more countries and asks if it is Polydor / Phillips specific - but noone seems to know.. http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/archive/index.php/t-207306.html

Austria 720
Australia 150
Belgium 170
Brazil 200
Denmark 300
Far East 022
France 380
Germany 320
Great Britain 420
Hungary 450
Italy 520
Luxembourg 630
Netherlands 670
Portugal 790
South Africa 960
Spain 850
Sweden 970
Switzerland 980
Rest of the World 000

djindio
is it known which company or manufacturer uses those codes?

Generally, PRS. IIRC, PRS had more than 30 pressing plants worldwide but that was cut down to a handful in the 90's which were then mostly turned into CD manufacturing plants and renamed to PDO. However, not all were sailing under the name Polygram Record Service though; e.g. in Spain they were called Eurogram, S.A..

Wegi
Wegi wrote:

djindio
The Lacquer was processed at Europadisk *(the black vinyl version was pressed at Europadisk), but the colour vinyl pressings were pressed at Rainbo Records (likely subcontracted by Europadisk for pressing the coloured vinyl).

Ok, added

What about R-00000 / R-00001 etchings?

R-10261 / R-10262 Misfits, The* - 3 Hits From Hell

same for R-##### pressed also at Rainbo Records.

Got an 7" last month and contacted the label were the record was pressed. it was this one Be My Destroyer / Let Us Now Praise Famous Men it's a 2011 release but i think it was the same code for the 7 inches back to your release

splintered8080
same for R-##### pressed also at Rainbo Records.

^right, What I've been told is: 7" records pressed at Rainbo (usually) have R-##### on them instead of S-#####...

...though there are a couple 7" records that I and a few others have come across in the past (don't have mine anymore) that have S- instead of R- ...and they appear to be Rainbo pressings or at least look similar in all respects... some sort of mixup at the plant maybe?

sebfact
Generally, PRS. IIRC, PRS had more than 30 pressing plants worldwide but that was cut down to a handful in the 90's which were then mostly turned into CD manufacturing plants and renamed to PDO. However, not all were sailing under the name Polygram Record Service though; e.g. in Spain they were called Eurogram, S.A..

wow, ok, so the codes were used by the plants under the PolyGram Record Service umbrella them?

djindio
so the codes were used by the plants under the PolyGram Record Service umbrella them?

That's my assumption. But as I said, in Spain it was Eurogram S.A./Iberofon. And there definitely wasn't a PRS existing in the UK (not the foggiest what the heck they did...). In Africa again there were some 50+% stakes in local companies only. It's a mess maybe only someone from PolyGram Record Operations can solve. My hope.

Please also see http://www.discogs.com/help/forums/topic/332046

The highest number so far

L-53143 / L-53143-X Fall Silent - Life: Beautiful, But Heartless

Who's responsible for the R prefix? eg: R-24959 / R-24960 as found on Secret Chiefs 3 / Traditionalists - La Chanson De Jacky / The Western Exile?

Eviltoastman

Who's responsible for the R prefix? eg: R-24959 / R-24960

Rainbo Records

djindio
^right, What I've been told is: 7" records pressed at Rainbo (usually) have R-##### on them instead of S-#####...

Shit. I think I told Djindio that after Steve at Rainbo was explaining that the L prefix belonged to Greg Lee!

Eviltoastman
"Rainbo # start with an S for 12 and 10 inch and a R for 7 inch."

LMAO. Thanks Wegi.

Eviltoastman
Who's responsible for the R prefix?

Wegi
Rainbo Records

be careful though, Allied Record Company is appearently also known to use R-##### etchings on 7" records:

http://www.discogs.com/release/2365213
http://www.discogs.com/release/2363966
http://www.discogs.com/release/2293141
http://www.discogs.com/release/1327477

^should be obivous once you've viewed a few Warner Bros. releated releases though.

EDIT:
...and Allied Record Company also appearently used K-##### on 7" vinyls in the 70's (before becoming part of WEA/Warner Bros.) as well:
http://www.discogs.com/release/2474281
/EDIT

The one I was looking at at the time is an independent, but this information is good to know.

^well that's just the one we know about, so far...

Are you saying that we should avoid assigning the "r" prefix to rainbo for now? Or just be mindful that in the future we may have to revisit these things as it may transpire that the prefix is more widely used than first thought?

Eviltoastman
just be mindful that in the future we may have to revisit these things as it may transpire that the prefix is more widely used than first thought?

^that, basically:

Ideal case: a Rainbo test pressing of the release allowing direct comparison between the testpressing and the retail/promo/wl pressings.

Not ideal but OK: R-00000 etchings found _AND_ label area stamper marks (and any other finer details) compared to other 'known' Rainbo pressings from around the same year.

Bad case: adding Rainbo for R-00000 etchings without checking anything else.

Coolio. Here's one I revisited and the X made me think.

Faith No More - Chinese Arithmetic - No L- Prefix or whatever but a triangle, but the number and the X on side B...looks familiar. Could Greg Lee have used the triangle symbol as well as the "L"?

Eviltoastman
Faith No More - Chinese Arithmetic - No L- Prefix or whatever but a triangle, but the number and the X on side B...looks familiar. Could Greg Lee have used the triangle symbol as well as the "L"?

no:

"Q B-28917" that Q is actually this machine stamped lowercase ''a''. That machine stamped ''a'' along with "B-#####" indicates pressed at Allied Record Company.

The "-SH#" along with the "△18016" and "△18016-X" indicate processing done at Sheffield Lab Matrix

...and most likely "1-1" is 1st Mother - 1st Stamper Generation.

(edit:fix link)

Excellent work. Spot on. There's actually tiny writing inside the A.

I'll be updating that sub in moment.