Matrix Codes 1A1 or 1A2 or 1A3....WTF??
Matrix Codes 1A1 or 1A2 or 1A3....WTF??
I have noticed that there are always variations on Compact discs for known matrix codes in this area. There is the beginning fo the code...then the end always has a 1A1, or 1A2....etc. why does the number at the end vary and what does it mean to the collector if anything??
Very wide spread question and one among biggest misbelieves among collectors.
Numbers 1,2,3 etc. it's not a number of first, second or third pressing like many people think. It's just a number of press stamper. Nothing else, technical detail which have no collector value at all. Giant pressing plants like Sony DADC has few pressing lines which can press the same release at the same time or in different work shift from one or many "mother" stampers. All this info displayed on matrix code. Small or micro labels who had pressing unknown bands usually had one or two pressings with A1 or A2 at the end of matrix code, but biggest labels with well-known bands with their ultra popular albums sometimes has tens of different pressing variations from A0 (usually on digipack) to B35.
Numbers 1,2,3 etc. it's not a number of first, second or third pressing like many people think. It's just a number of press stamper. Nothing else, technical detail which have no collector value at all. Giant pressing plants like Sony DADC has few pressing lines which can press the same release at the same time or in different work shift from one or many "mother" stampers. All this info displayed on matrix code. Small or micro labels who had pressing unknown bands usually had one or two pressings with A1 or A2 at the end of matrix code, but biggest labels with well-known bands with their ultra popular albums sometimes has tens of different pressing variations from A0 (usually on digipack) to B35.