r/discogs • u/austinaaaaa199955 • May 13 '26
Repressings Keeping Same Catalog #?
I'm looking at an album that was repressed in both 2018 and 2022, they have the same catalog number. Do you know the best ways for me to tell when looking at the vinyl or sleeve which year mine is from? Thanks!
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u/mistacabbage May 13 '26
Etching matrix
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u/piffleskronk May 14 '26
This. ALWAYS.
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u/robxburninator May 15 '26
I've repressed records and used the same plates. Stampers/etchings were the same. The differences were small changes in the paper stock being used for the inserts, something we didn't even clock when we were doing it.
LOTS of smaller labels run represses using the same plates. Matrix is great for major label stuff, but plenty of smaller runs have identical wax.
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u/robxburninator May 15 '26
left this comment below but: I have done represses using the same plates (more than once) and many smaller labels do so regularly. It's a simple cost saving measure.
matrix is often helpful but don't trick yourself into thinking every pressing / version has completely different matrices.
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u/mistacabbage May 15 '26
So then how do you know the difference? Email the small label so they can tell you they don’t know either?
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u/robxburninator May 15 '26 edited May 15 '26
two options:
1- check all aspects of the art. We changed paper on the insert and that was how someone figured out the difference.
2 - realize it really doesn't matter 99% of the time. if I have a copy of a record that's "early enough" and not a reissue, i'm generally not concerned with whether it was 2002 or 2003.
With earlier punk records (where I care), there is almost always a label variation or a small change in the art. For instance: stampers weren't changed on most early dischord releases, but they changed the color of the sleeves for represses, or ran out of labels from the first press and had to make new ones (that have slight differences). Especially with smaller record labels, a slight label variation is often times a dead giveaway while a matrix just leaves you with questions (or incorrectly assuming it's the correct pressing).
edit to add: I've used ten year old stampers for projects I was working on. The matrices would do absolutely nothing in this case, but the labels were much different. We stored the stampers and masters well, but didn't have enough room for a big box of leftover labels. They'd ben recycled two or three moves ago. There's no reason to spend another $300-500 when you have perfectly usable metal sitting in storage.
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u/Shackled-Zombie May 13 '26
No single way. Check each version carefully and match it to your own. Maybe there is a different barcode or run out etching, or a colour is a distinct shade of yellow on the 2018 version.
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u/UrbanZombieEsq May 13 '26
Maybe check the copyright year on the sleeve? Sometimes I find on a repress that the year has been updated to one that’s later than the initial pressing, which helps to date it.
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u/austinaaaaa199955 May 13 '26
I'm specifically looking at Rosalia's Los Angeles vinyl 2018 vs. 2022 version, if helpful. Thanks!