question on Vinyl

[scale21]

I have a question on how vinyl collecting works....

Im a collect everything guy but have alway been curious on vinyl. How do you know what pressing things are etc?

Also.....and this might be a bit of a ignorance question but what are the numbers/letters/misc that are inscribed on some vinyls lead out area just before your stylus hits the sticker?

Sorry for the silly questions but im new to the game

 

[cactuscowboy]

Those numbers inscribed in the 'dead wax' are matrix numbers. They might indicate master number, pressing plant, mastering engineer, or other information.

 

[Cody B]

For the pressing information, buy a book like Goldmine where they explain the differences in label design changes by year, and the different catalog numbers assigned to the same records throughout the various pressings.

The book won't go into super detail like a west coast v. easy coast beatles Sgt. Pepper stereo w/ small font labels... for that you need the Perry Cox Beatle book..

but definately buy a Goldmine book, I take it whenenver I go to buy vinyl, not so much to make sure I'm getting a good deal, but to make sure it's a first press so I won't ever have to upgrade, and usually if the price is high in the book, its pretty scarce and worth getting.

 

[blownsi]

Thanks for the answers --- I have always bought vinyl just for the sake of listening but it would be interesting to see if I own any gems.