Vinyl pressings
by Alabama · 1986
Alabama Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 9 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
MasterfonicsSide A and B stamped
AHL1-7170-A-1S Ⅰ AIWSide A - etched
AHL1-7170-B-2S Ⅰ ACBSide B - etched
AHL1-7170-A-2S Ⅰ AISide A Variant 2
APL1-7170A CDDeadwax, Side A, Etched
APL1-7170B CDDeadwax, Side B, Etched
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | RCA APL1-7170First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Canada | RCA AHL1-7170First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Europe | RCA PL87170First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Israel | RCA AHL1-7170First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Japan | RCA RPL-8332First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Japan | RCA RPL-8332First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Portugal | RCA PL17170First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | South Korea | RCA JRPL-3381First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | South Korea | Seoul Records SRD2-189First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Spain | RCA PL-87170First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | RCA AHL1-7170First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | AMIGA 8 56 470LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | RCA PL87170LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
13 vinyl pressings of Alabama Greatest Hits are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1986 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, Australia & New Zealand, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is RCA AHL1-7170.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AHL1-7170, APL1-7170, PL87170, RPL-8332) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Masterfonics and AHL1-7170-A-1S Ⅰ AIW. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
