Metallica Vinyl Singles;

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"FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS", promo 12";

  1. Elektra/Specialty USA 1984, two sided album version white label test press (5026)
    Matrix: ST-ED - 5026 - A - 3 MASTERDISC RL I-I SRC
    Matrix: ST-ED - 5026 - B - 3 I-I SRC
    Notes;
    One copy located in England, owned by Hector
    Labels on this state that side A has the edit version and side B the album version, however this plays the album version on both sides - my guess is this was a mistake 
    Label detail; MTX. NO. STED A3

  2. Elektra/Specialty USA 1984, one sided edit version white label test press (5026)
    Matrix: ST-ED - 5026 . A - 4 I-I STERLING SRC
    Matrix: (blank)
    Notes;
    One copy located in England, owned by Hector
    One copy located in Holland, owned by Alex
    This test pressing has a speciality records label on side A with the artist, track title and catalogue number written on it
    The b-side has a blank white label and has no grooves on it at all
    Label detail; MTX. NO. STED A4

  3. Elektra USA 1984, edit and album versions with Elektra cover, `SP` Matrix version (ED 5026) 
    Matrix: ST-ED - 5026-A-4 1-2 STERLING SRC
    Matrix: ST-ED - 5026-B-3 1-1 SRC

  4. Elektra USA 1984, edit and album versions with Elektra cover, `AR` Matrix version (ED 5026)
    Matrix: ST-ED - 5026 - A . 5 0 B-20419 - A 5 STERLING SLM /\ 8431 I-I
    Matrix: ST-ED - 5026 - B 2 0 B-20420 - B2 SLM /\ 8431 - X I-I
    Notes;
    First ever Metallica promo 12" single, released towards the end of `84
    Two minor versions of the standard pressing exist;
    1st pressings have ST-ED-5026-A-SP on the label and the copyright text runs half the way around the edge
    2nd pressings have ST-ED-5026-A-AR, on the label and the copyright text runs 3/4 of the way around the edge, there is little or no difference in value
    Oddly the matrix details on the SP version (simplified) are A4 & B3 - AR version is A5 & B2 meaning they were pressed from different pressing plates to either test pressing entirely
    My Elektra page gives more info on test pressings and the SP / AR details 


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