"LYN" on a vinyl record's run-out groove typically indicates that the record was pressed by Lyntone Records Ltd, a UK-based company specialising in vinyl pressing and mastering. Lyntone was active from the 1960s through to the 1990s and was known for producing flexi discs, promos, and custom pressings for various record labels.
The "LYN" code is usually followed by a series of numbers (e.g., LYN 12345), which identifies the specific pressing or mastering job. This marking can help collectors and enthusiasts trace the origin of the record and verify its authenticity.
Where Were Lyntone Based?
Lyntone were mostly based in and around London, at various offices and pressing plants. The company was founded in 1957 by Paul Lynton, a former professional musician. The company started out manufacturing records for industrial advertising and has an impressive almost 8000 releases to its name on Discogs.
Lyntone ended up specialising in flexi-discs because they were the European licensee of the manufacturing process that had been patented by Eva-Tone Soundsheets, a US based flexi-disc manufacturer.
Examples of Standard Vinyl Releases with LYN Matrices
Here at Atlas Records, we see plenty of records with LYN matrices and a handful that were actually released on the Lyntone label. While Lyntone is generally most well known for producing flexi discs and promotional records, they also worked on some standard vinyl releases, and this is where you’ll most often see Lyntone mentioned on our website.
Seeing the "LYN" matrices can be very useful for identifying exactly which version of an album you are looking at, and it can also affect how much the record is worth, possibly meaning it is more or less desirable than another version.
Here are some examples of Lyntone records from our shelves…
1 - The Smiths - Shakespeare's Sister - 12"
Many The Smiths albums were pressed by either Damont, CBS, EMI or Lyntone, and this has become a key defining factor in understanding which version of the record you have.
2 - New Order - Technique - LP - 1989
New Order's label, Factory Records had links to Lyntone, with many of their records being pressed by them. The matrix etchings also feature "WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU MEAN, PETER?" on side A and "?RETEP ,NAEM UOY OD YLTCAXE TAHW" on side B.
3 - Au Pairs - Playing With A Different Sex - LP - 1981
A British post-punk band, Au Pairs were around from 1978 - 1983. They released two studio albums, this ("Playing With a Different Sex") and "Sense and Sensuality." The matrices for this record also feature the word "Jonz." This refers to John Dent, the mastering engineer who cut the lacquer for the record. Discover more about mastering engineer signatures.
4 - The 'Lion Theme' From Peugeot - 7"
This is a Peugeot promotional record that was actually released on the Lyntone label. It features a song to celebrate the launch of their popular small car, the 104. The single was likely released in 1972, the year of the car's launch. "Lion Theme" refers to Peugeot's logo which features a lion and was adopted as their official logo in 1858. You can learn more about this from Peugeot themselves.
5 - The Beatles Third Christmas Record - 7" Flexi - 1965
Coming around to what Lyntone are most well known for, this is a Beatles Fan Club flexi disc, released for Christmas 1965. It was given out for free to members of their fan club, and also included their "National Newsletter No. 6" which wished fans a Merry Christmas and rounded up the last year in the life of The Beatles.
