First Pressing

A first pressing (also called an original pressing) is the initial production run of a vinyl record, manufactured from the original master lacquer or its earliest stampers. First pressings are the most sought-after versions of an album among collectors because they represent the closest physical reproduction of the artist's and engineer's original vision in the mastering studio.

First pressings often sound different — sometimes better — than later reissues because the stampers (metal molds used to press vinyl) gradually wear with use. Early pressings from fresh stampers capture the full detail of the master. Additionally, some albums have been remastered multiple times over the decades, with varying results. A first pressing preserves the original mastering decisions.

Identifying a first pressing requires checking matrix numbers in the dead wax (the blank area near the label), catalog numbers, label design, and pressing plant codes. Resources like Discogs, the Steve Hoffman Forums, and format-specific databases help collectors verify pressings. First pressings of iconic albums (Beatles, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin) can command prices from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars.