George Harrison – Dark Horse LP 1980 Capitol Jacksonville Vault Cut NM/VG+

70s FAB FOUR SOLO CLASSIC: George Harrison – Dark Horse (1980 US Capitol Reissue — Jacksonville Plant / Original 1974 Vault Master Plates)

Add an exceptional audiophile "sleeper" pressing to your vinyl rotation with this 1980 US Capitol Records reissue of George Harrison’s classic solo album, Dark Horse (Capitol Records – SN-16055).

Originally issued in late 1974 on Harrison's newly established Dark Horse Records label, the album captures George's signature slide guitar artistry, soulful introspection, and raspy vocal charm, featuring key favorites like the title track "Dark Horse," "Ding Dong, Ding Dong," and the instrumental opener "Hari's on Tour (Express)".

Manufactured at Capitol Records’ Jacksonville, Illinois pressing plant (verified by the stamped 0 in the dead wax), this reissue offers a fascinating archival matrix story. To produce this 1980s budget line run, Capitol engineers reused the original 1974 first-generation master plates (Z3 / Z4) cut at the Capitol Tower in Hollywood, manually striking through the original SMAS-3418 catalog code and hand-etching the new SN-16055 identifier. Pressed on quieter, superior early-1980s vinyl formulations, this release provides the authentic full-frequency analog mix against a vault-silent background.

The Technical & Pressing Profile

• Artist: George Harrison

• Title: Dark Horse

• Label & Catalog Number: Capitol Records – SN-16055 (US Reissue)

• Format: 12" Vinyl LP, Album, Stereo, 33 ⅓ RPM

• Release Year: 1980 (Circa 1980–1983)

• Country of Origin: United States

• Genre / Style: Rock, Classic Rock, Pop Rock

• Pressing Plant: Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Jacksonville, Illinois (Identified by stamped 0 in runouts)

• Mastering Lineage: Struck from original 1974 Capitol Hollywood master lacquer plates (Z3 Side 1 / Z4 Side 2)

• Packaging: Single-pocket standard LP jacket

• Matrix / Runout (Side A): SN_1_16055 S̶M̶A̶S̶-̶1̶-̶3̶4̶1̶8̶ Z3 #7 0 (Etched, except 0 stamped)

• Matrix / Runout (Side B): SN_2_16055 S̶M̶A̶S̶-̶2-̶3̶4̶1̶8̶-Z4 #7 0 (Etched, except 0 stamped)

Condition & Grading

Graded conservatively using standard Goldmine parameters:

• Record Condition: Near Mint (NM / M-)

  The vinyl displays radiant factory gloss and delivers clean, whisper-quiet playback. Capitol's original Hollywood Z3/Z4 master cuts provide punchy rhythm tracks, bright acoustic guitars, and crisp brass arrangements with wide dynamic separation and zero inner-groove distortion.

• Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus / Excellent (VG+ / E)

  The original single-pocket jacket is crisp, sturdy, and well-preserved with bright imagery, solid seams, a clean spine, and only minor, light shelf/edge wear.

Why This 12" Single Belongs in Your Collection

While original 1974 pressings often suffered from surface noise due to oil-crisis vinyl shortages, this 1980 Capitol Jacksonville reissue pairs the original 1974 Capitol Tower analog master plates with vastly improved, quieter 1980s vinyl compounds. Featuring the documented "crossed-out" archival matrix in the dead wax and preserved in high-grade Near Mint playing condition, this copy stands as the ultimate audiophile player's edition for serious George Harrison and Beatles solo enthusiasts.

Professional Shopify Shipping & Business Policy

• Collector-Grade Packaging: We pack every record with exceptional care. Please note that the LP will not be removed from the jacket prior to shipping. Your record will be housed inside a protective archival outer sleeve and packed tightly between rigid cardboard stiffeners within a heavy-duty, reinforced record mailer to prevent seam splits or corner dings in transit.

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Add this premier 1980 Capitol Jacksonville pressing of George Harrison's Dark Horse to your vinyl collection today!