An original pressing can be the jewel in the collection of any record enthusiast. These are early editions of specific vinyl records and are rare and sought after, especially for particularly popular albums. Here is a brief description of original pressings and how you can distinguish them from other records.

What Is an Original Pressed Vinyl Record?

It is a vinyl record that was pressed from the first original masters of the recording. This often leads to a higher quality or more distinct sound since it was pressed directly from that initial recording, rather than a version that has been remastered and re-recorded over the years.

How Can You Tell If You Have One?

In some cases, these original pressings are labeled, so it’s easy to distinguish them. However, if you’re dealing with another collector or individual seller who isn’t clear on the terminology, rely more on your research than a label. When you look at a record, you’ll see grooves around the outside of the center label that are stamped or etched onto the record. These letters and numbers include some information about the record, including the master that it was pressed from. Once you find that number, you can look online to see what that manufacturer used to indicate original pressings. If those numbers correspond, then you have one of those sought-after records.

Whether you’re looking for original pressings or a large selection of vintage vinyl records, visit Alison’s Record Shop in Nashville, TN. This record shop has a huge variety of titles to choose from, including everything from classic rock to musical soundtracks. The staff is exceptionally knowledgeable about records and music and they will answer any questions you have about specific artists or songs. Call (615) 356-0180 or contact the team online to learn more about their inventory.