Vinyl
BEATLES’ VINYL MATRIX NUMBERS
Matrix numbers are alphanumeric codes (or other symbols) stamped or hand written into the run-out groove area of a gramophone record.
Matrix numbers are intended for the internal use of the record manufacturing plant, but they are also studied and documented by record
collectors, as they can sometimes provide useful information about the edition of the record.
The most important part of the extra information is usually the cut number, which is a suffix to the main number.
For example, matrix number 12345 is seen on a label, but examination of the run-out groove area reveals number 12345–3, which indicates
this is the third cut of this side.
It is not unusual to find records with a different cut number on each side.
LACQUER, MOTHER AND STAMPER NUMBERS
At the "6 O'clock" position on the inner groove area is the LACQUER number
(cut number) with a -1 or -2 etc.
For instance, Beatles For Sale in stereo is YEX 142-1 (etc.).
The "1" means the FIRST LACQUER cut from the mastertape. -2 the second etc.
At the "9 O'clock" is a number which tell you what "MOTHER" was used to
generate the stamper actually used the press the record.
A number of "mothers" are generated from the lacquer.
Obviously a "1" means first mother generated from the lacquer.
A "5" means it was much later--the fifth mother generated from the lacquer.
At the "3 O'clock" position there will be one to three letters, which are codes
associated with numbers as follows, which tell you what STAMPER was used to
press the actual record:
1 2 3
5 6 7 8 9 0
Therefore, if the letters say "GR" that is stamper 12. "O" is stamper 5 etc.
YEX 142-1, mother 1, stamper G
is the very first pressing of "Beatles For Sale" in stereo: first lacquer, first mother, first stamper.
YEX 142-1, mother 4, stamper RLT.
That would be first lacquer, 4th mother and 289th stamper generated from that mother.
The master used to generate the metal parts was not always generated from the first lacquer; engineers often had to cut more than one lacquer to determine the
proper sound or in some rarer cases (Rubber Soul Mono and Revolver Mono) lacquers were re-cut shortly after the start of the initial press run to improve content.
Songs pressed with metal parts generated from re-cut lacquers include :
Paperback Writer
Ticket To Ride
Yes It ls
I ’m Down
We Can Worklt Out
Penny Lane
All You Need ls Love (-2)
Baby, You ’re A Rich Man (-2)
Lady Madonna
The Inner Light
Some albums were also pressed from the start
with metal parts generated from re-cut lacquers, including
MONO LP
A Hard Days Night
Beatles For Sale
STEREO LP
With The Beatles
Rubber Soul
Abbey Road (Side 1) (-2)
Let It Be
“The Inner Light” stamper
UK MONO VINYL: PRESSINGS and CIRCULATING MASTERS CUTS
Mono albums are labelled ‘PMC’ and have XEX as prefix of Matrix Number
A HARD DAY'S NIGHT BEATLES FOR SALE RUBBER SOUL REVOLVER SGT. PEPPER'S
1964 Pressing 1965 Pressing 1965 Pressing 1966 ‘RM11’ Pressing 1967 Pressing
UK pressings’ attested Mono Matrix suffix:
PLEASE PLEASE ME
XEX 421
XEX 422
March 22 ⓵ April-May ⓶ Sum 63 ⓷ sum 63 Jan 64 1964 1965 - 1969 summer 1969 - Nov 1969 Nov 1969 -1970 summer 1981 - August 1982 -1N (-3) (-3?) -2N 1987 1987 – 1991 Sept 8, 2014
WITH THE BEATLES
XEX 447
XEX 448
Nov 22 1963 Dec 1963 – early 1964 ⓵ ⓶ Later pressings has matrix numbers: -1N -3N -4N -5N -6N -7N -1N -3N -4N -5N -6N -7N 1969 summer 1981 - August 1982 -7N (-8) -7N (-8) 1987 1987 – 1991 Sept 8, 2014
A HARD DAY'S NIGHT
XEX 481 XEX 482 July 10 1964 1965 – 1969 summer 1969 – Nov 1969 summer 1981 - August 1982 1987 1987 – 1991 Sept 8, 2014
BEATLES FOR SALE
XEX 503 XEX 504 Dec 4 1964 Later pressings has other matrix numbers ⓵ (crossover pressings) -3N -3N -4N -4N -3N -4N -3N -4N summer 1981 - August 1982 -4N (-5) -3N (-4N) 1987 1987 – 1991 Sept 8, 2014 XEX 549
XEX 550
Aug 6 1965 1966 – 1969 summer 1969 - Nov 1969 Nov 1969 -1970 summer 1981 -August 1982 Sept 8, 2014
RUBBER SOUL
XEX 579
XEX 580
“Loud Cut” Dec 3 1965 ⓵ (transition) -1 -1 -4 -4 -1 -4 -1 -4 1966 – 1969 -4 -5 -4 -5 summer 1969 - Nov 1969 summer 1981 - August 1982 -5 (-6) Sept 8, 2014 XEX 605
XEX 606
Aug 5 1966 1966 - 1969 “RM 11” mispressing ⓵ ⓶ -1 (-2) -2 -1 -2 (-3) summer 1969 -Nov 1969 summer 1981 - August 1982 -2 (-3) -3 (-4) Sept 8, 2014
SGT. PEPPER'S
XEX 637
XEX 638
June 01 1967 1968 summer 1969 - Nov 1969 Nov 1969 -1970 summer 1981 - August 1982 Sept 8, 2014
MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR
US Mono version Sept 8, 2014
THE WHITE ALBUM
XEX 709 XEX 710 XEX 711
XEX 712
Nov 22 1968 ⓵ Nov 1968 ⓶ -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -3?? -1 -1 summer 1981 – August 1982 Sept 8, 2014
YELLOW SUBMARINE
XEX 715
XEX 716
January 17 1969 summer 1981 - August 1982 1963 1964 1965 1967 1968 1969 1969 Nov 1969 Nov 1969 2014 Lacquers: -1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -7, -8 ,-9 After a satisfactory lacquer was produced, it was sent to the factory for the creation of the metal parts needed to manufacture the records. While Capitol in the States often cut numerous lacquers for each album (that could then be used to produce multiple masters), EMI would initially cut only one set of acceptable lacquers for each disc. During the sixties, EMI cut the lacquers for Beatles singles, albums and extended play discs on Scully lathes at Abbey Road. Many of the albums were cut by Harry Moss. Lacquers were also re-cut when the master became too worn down to generate additional mothers needed to make more stampers. This frequently happened within a few years for the Beatles albums.
Pressings: ⓵ ⓶ ⓷ ⓸ ⓹ ⓺ ⓻ ⓼ ⓽ ⓾ ⑪ ⑫ ⑬
Historically record collectors use terms like 3rd pressing, 4th pressing etc. when in reality there was rarely any such clear distinction. These records remained in production and there were dozens of pressing runs as demand dictated. There is, however, often an identifiable 'chronology' to record production which can be derived from reviewing the matrices and other dead wax information, the labels, vinyl weight, the LP covers they were put in, and, the inner sleeves.
UK STEREO VINYL: PRESSINGS and CIRCULATING MASTERS CUTS
Stereo albums are labelled ‘PCS’ and have YEX as prefix of Matrix Number
PLEASE PLEASE ME WITH THE BEATLES BEATLES FOR SALE
REVOLVER SGT. PEPPER'S
1963 Pressing 1978 Pressing
1978 Pressing
1978 Pressing 1978 Pressing
UK pressings’ attested Stereo Matrix suffix:
Nov 1969 Nov 1969 -
PLEASE ME
YEX 94
YEX 95
April 26 ⓵ May ⓶ summer ⓷ summer 1963 – Jan 1964 ⓸ 1964 1965 – 1969 summer 1969 - Nov 1969 1969 – 1970 early 1971 – 1973 summer 1976 – Oct 1980 -2 (-3) (-1) -2 (-3) Oct 1980 - April 1984 -3 (-4) -3 (-4) end of spring 1984 – 1987 2009 Nov 12 2012
WITH THE
YEX 110
YEX 111
Nov 22 ⓵ Dec 1963 – Jan 1964 ⓶ 1965 – 1969 summer 1969 - Nov 1969 1969 – 1970 early 1971 - 1973 -2 (-3) summer 1976 – Oct 1980 -2 (-3; -5) -4 (-5) Oct 1980 - April 1984 -5-1-1 (-6) end of spring 1984 – 1987 2009 Nov 12 2012
A HARD
DAY'S NIGHT
YEX 126
YEX 127
July 10 64 ⓵ Jan 1965 – summer 1965 late 1965 -1969 summer 1969 - Nov 1969 1969 – 1970 early 1971 summer 1976 – Oct 1980 -1 (-2) -1 (-2 ; -3; -4) Oct 1980 - April 1984 -2 (-3) (-3) -4 end of spring 1984- 1987 2009 Nov 12 2012
FOR SALE
YEX 142
YEX 143
Dec 4, 1964 1965 – 1969 summer 1969 - Nov 1969 1969 -1970 early 1971 summer 1976 – Oct 1980 -1 (-2 ; -3; -4) -1 (-2; -3; 4; -5) Oct 1980 - April 1984 (-4) ;- 5 end of spring 1984 -1987 -5 (-6) 2009 Nov 12 2012 YEX 168
YEX 169
Aug 6, 1965 ⓵ 1965 – 1969 ⓶ summer 1969 - Nov 1969 1969 -1970 early 1971 – 1973 -1 (-2) summer 1976 – Oct 1980 -2 (-3; -4) -1 (-3) Oct 1980 - April 1984 end of spring 1984 - 1987 1987 1987 – 1991 2009 Nov 12 2012 YEX 178 YEX 179 Dec 3, 1965 Dec 1965 – 1969 ⓵ ⓶ -2 -3 -2 -3 summer 1969 - Nov 1969 1969 – 1970 early 1971 -3 (-4) summer 1976 – Oct 1980 -3 (-4; -5; -6) -3 (-4) Oct 1980 - April 1984 -5 ( -6) end of spring 1984 – 1987 -6 (-7) -6-1-3 (-7) 1987 1987 – 1991 2009 Nov 12 2012 YEX 605
YEX 606
Aug 5, 1966 1967 – 1969 summer 1969 - Nov 1969 1969 – 1970 early 1971 – 1973 -1 (-2) summer 1976 – Oct 1980 (-2) -3 -3 (-4) Oct 1980 - April 1984 -3 (-4) end of spring 1984 – 1987 (-5-1-1) -5-1-2 1987 1987 – 1991 2009 Nov 12 2012 YEX 637
YEX 638
1968 summer 1969 - Nov 1969 1969 – 1970 early 1971 – 1973 -1 (-2) summer 1976 – Oct 1980 -1 (-2; -3; -4; -5) -2 (-3; -4; -5) Oct 1980 - April 1984 -6 (-6-1-1) -6 (6-1-1/3) end of spring 1984 – 1987 -6-1-1 (-6-1-2/3) -6-1-1 (-6-1-2/3/4) 1987 2009 Nov 12 2012 YEX 959
YEX 960
19, 1976 Oct 1980 - April 1984 end of spring 1984 - 1987 1987 1987 – 1991 2009 Original US Stereo version Nov 12 2012
THE WHITE
YEX 709 YEX 710 1YEX 711
YEX 712
Nov 22, 1968 Nov 1968 ⓵ ⓶ -1 -1 -1 -1 (-2) -1 -1
-1 -1 (-2)
sum 1969 - Sept 1970 ⓷ Oct 1970 -spring 1971 ⓸ -1 (-2) -1 (-2) -1 (-2) -1 (-2) summer 1971- 1973 (possible until 1976) ⓹ -1 (-2) -1 (-2) -1 (-2) -1 (-2) 1976 – 1980 -1 (-3) 1981 – 1984 (?-4) -5 1984 – 1991 2009 Nov 12 2012 YEX 715
YEX 716
Jan 17 1969 spring 1969 – Sept 1970 -1 (-2, late -3) 1971 – 1973 until 1976) -1 (-2) -5 (-6, ?-7) -2 (?-3) 2009 Nov 12 2012
ABBEY ROAD
YEX 749
YEX 750
Sept 26 1969 Sept 1969 – Sept 1970 Oct 1970 – early 1971 1971 – 1973 until 1976) -1 (-2 ; 2U) -3 (-4) -2 (2U; -3) -4 (?-5) -6 (-7) -3 (-4) 2009 Nov 12 2012
LET IT BE
YEX 773
YEX 774
May 8, 70 ⓵ Nov 6,1970 – early 1971 ⓶ 1971 – 1973 until 1976) -3U (-4) -3U (-4) -4 (-5) -4 (-5) -5 (-6) -5 (-6) 2009 Nov 12 2012 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 Nov 1969 Nov 1969-
MASTERS CUTS LOG DATES, PRESSINGS and CIRCULATING CUTS
Nov 1969 Nov 1969 - 1970 early 1971- 1973 1974 1975 summer 1976- October 1980 1980-1984 1984-1987 1991 2012
FOR SALE
YEX 142 YEX 143 Nov 6, 1964 Mar 6, 1974 Dec 4, 1975 Jan 8, Oct 2 Oct 24 16 Nov -3 -4 - - - -3 -4 -5 Oct 29 ? 1981 ? - -5 Dec 4, 1964 1965 – 1969 summer 1969 - Nov 1969 Nov 1969 early 1971 summer 1976 – Oct 1980 - 1 ( - 2 ; - 3 ; - 4 ) - 1 ( - 2 ; - 3 ; - 4 ; - 5 ) Oct 1980 – April 1984 ( - 4 ) ; - 5 end of spring 1984 -1987 -5 (-6) -5 (-6) 2009 Nov 12 2012 YEX 168 YEX 169 July 6, 1965 Apr 4, 1973 Jan 8, 1974 -3 For USA -2 For USA Set 2, Ago 10, 1976 1979 -4 - -3 -4 Aug 6, 1965 ⓵ 1965 – 1969 ⓶ summer 1969 - Nov 1969 Nov 1969 early 1971 - 1973 -1 (-2) summer 1976 – Oct 1980 - 2 ( - 3 ; - 4 ) - 1 ( - 3 ) Oct 1980 – April 1984 end of spring 1984 - 1987 1987 1987 – 1991 2009 Nov 12 2012 YEX 178 YEX 179 Nov 23, Nov 25, Dec 12, -1 -2 -3 -1 -2 -3 Mar 13, 1973 Oct 3, 1973 July 16, November 6, August 10, -6 - - - -4 -5 May 18, 1982 Dec 3, Dec 1965 – 1969 1965 ⓵ ⓶ 2 -3 -2 -3 summer 1969 - Nov 1969 Nov 1969 – 1970 early 1971 -3 (4) summer 1976 – Oct 1980 - 3 ( - 4 ; - 5 ; - 6 ) - 3 ( - 4 ) Oct 1980 – April 1984 -5 ( -6) end of spring 1984 – 1987 -6 (-7) -6-1-3 (-7) 1987 1987 – 1991 2009 Nov 12 2012 YEX 605 YEX 606 July 14, 1966 May 15, July 1, 1970 1970 -2 - - -2 Jan 10, Feb 4, July 15, - - -3 -3 -4 - Aug 5, 1966 1967 1969 summer 1969 - Nov 1969 Nov 1969 – 1970 early 1971 - 1973 -1 (-2) summer 1976 – Oct 1980 ( - 2 ) - 3 - 3 ( - 4 ) Oct 1980 – April 1984 -3 (-4) end of spring 1984 – 1987 (-5-1-1) -5-1-2 1987 1987 – 1991 2009 Nov 12 2012 1967 1968 1969 1969 Nov 1969 -
SGT. PEPPER'S
YEX 637
YEX 638
May 5, 1967 Sept 22, 1971 May 9, Oct 22, 1975 1975 -2 - - -3 Aug 29, July7, July 18, July 20, -3 -4 -5 -6 -4 - -5 - June 01,1967 1968 1969 - Nov 1969 1969 – 1970 early 1971 – 1973 -1 (-2) summer 1976 – Oct 1980 - 1 ( - 2 ; - 3 ; - 4 ; - 5 ) - 2 ( - 3 ; - 4 ; - 5 ) Oct 1980 - April 1984 -6 (-6-1-1) -6 (6-1-1/3) end of spring 1984 – 1987 -6-1-1 (-6-1-2/3) -6-1-1 (-6-1-2/3/4) Digital Remaster 1987 2009 Nov 12 2012
UK VINYL: COMPILATIONS’ PRESSINGS and MASTERS CUTS
1966-- 1970 1971-
OLDIES Mono
XEX 619
XEX 620
Dec 10, 1966
OLDIES Stereo
YEX 619
YEX 620
Dec 10, 1966 ⓵ 1967 – 1969 ⓶ summer 1969 - Nov 1969 ⓷ November 1969 – 1970 ⓸ early 1971 - 1973 summer 1976 - October 1980 -1G (-2) -1G (-2; -3) Oct 1980 - April 1984 (Fame Label) July 1983
THE RED ALBUM
YEX 905 YEX 906 YEX 907
YEX 908
April 20, 1973 ⓵ Other common combinations -1 -1 -3 -1 -2 -1 -1 -1 -3 -2 -1 -3 -1 -3 -4 -1 -1 -1 -1 -2 1978 – 1980 Possible combinations -3 -4 -5 -4 -4 -5 -3 -5 -5 -3 -3 -5 1980 – 1983 Possible combinations -5 -6 -6 -5 -5 -5 -5 -5 -5 -5 -5 -6 1983 – 1987 Digital Remaster 1993 Nov 21, 2014
THE BLUE ALBUM
YEX 909 YEX 910 YEX 911
YEX 912
April 20, 1973 ⓵ Other common combinations -1 -1 -2 -1 -3 -2 -1 -3 -2 -1 -1 -1 1978 – 1980 Possible combinations -4 -4 -3 -5 -6 -3 -3 -3 -5 -5 -2 -3 -2 -2 -2 -1 -1 -1 -3 -3 1980 – 1983 Possible combinations -6 -6 -7 -9 -5 -6 -6 -7 -5 -2 -3 -7 -3 -3 -3 -6 1983 – 1987 Digital Remaster 1993 Nov 21, 2014
ROCK 'N' ROLL
YEX 955 YEX 956 YEX 957
YEX 958
June 11, 1976 ⓵ -1 (-2) -1 (-2) Rock And Roll Music, Music For Pleasure Oct 27, 1980 ⓶ Vol.1 MFP 50506 SKBO 11537-1A-1 SKBO 11537-1B-1 Vol.2 MFP 50507 SKBO 11537-2A-1 SKBO 11537-2B-1
LOVE SONGS
YEX 971 YEX 972 YEX 973
YEX 974
November 28, 1977 -1 (-2) -1 (-3) 1981 – 1984 -1 (-2) -1 (-2) end of spring 1984 - 1987 1988 – early 90’s SPSLP 261 A SPSLP 261 B December 15, 1978 Oct 1980 - April 1984 -1; -2 -2; -3 end of spring 1984 - 1987 -3; -4 SPSLP 261 A YEX 991 SPSLP 261 B- YEX 992 October 29, 1979 Oct 1980 - April 1984 -2 ; -3 -3 ; -4
HEY JUDE
YEX 981
YEX 982
May 21, 1979 Oct 1980 - April 1984 1984 - 1987 1988 – early 90’s PCS 7214-A
PCS 7214-B
Oct 2o, 1980 1 (2) 1 (2) 1981 – 1984 1988 – early 90’s
20 GREATEST
PCTC 260-A
PCTC 260-B
Oct 18, 1982 1 (2) 1 (2) 1984 - 1987 1 (2) 1 (2) 1988 – early 90’s
REEL MUSIC
PCS 7218-A
PCS 7218-B
March 12, 1982
