Vinyl pressings
by Antonia Rodriguez · 1978
La Bamba was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 4 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.
15691 A-1/78S Made in GermanyRunout side A, stamped
15691 B-1/78S Made in GermanyRunout side B, stamped
S 15 691 ALabel side A
S 15 691 BLabel side B
DSC-131-AS CP-1 STERLINGRunout, Side A
DSC-131-BS CP-1 STERLINGRunout, Side B
DSC 131 ASPrinted on label, Side A
DSC 131 BSPrinted on label, Side B
DSC-131-AS CP-1 STERLINGRunout A
DSC-131-BS CP STERLINGRunout B
DSC 131 ASLabel A
DSC 131 BSLabel B
12E4-8281-C-1A-2HZ:Side A runout, variant 1
12E4-8281-D-1A-2HZ:Side B runout, variant 1
12E4-8281-C-1A-2HZ: oSide A runout, variant 2
12E4-8281-D-1A-2HZ: oSide B runout, variant 2
8281-A · 1A · 2G OEtched runout side A
8281-B · 1A · 2GZ OEtched runout side B
OPunched in runouts
(8281-A)Label matrix side A
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | Epic 12E4-8281 / Inter Global Music 12E4-8281First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Inter Global Music IGM-003First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | Canada | Inter Global Music IGM-003First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | Canada | Epic 12E4-8281 / Inter Global Music 12E4-828112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Epic E4-8281First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Germany | Jupiter Records 15 691 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Spain | Sauce Internacional BSS-034First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Buddah Records DSC 131First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Buddah Records DSC 131First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1978 | US | Buddah Records DSC 131 / Arista DSC 131First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Belgium | Biram 9198 54012", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Peru | FTA 51-3487", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Magnet 12 MAG 14912", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1979 | UK | Magnet MAG 1497", 45 RPM, Stereo, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Magnet MAG 1497", 45 RPM, Stereo, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Italy | Cinevox Record SC 11467", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Power Records PXD 00412", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Calibre CABL 11712", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Calibre CAB 1177", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | South Africa | Record Shack Records RSX 11112", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Venezuela | Performance Records 851612", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Buddah Records DSC 13112", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
25 vinyl pressings of La Bamba are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1978 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Germany, US, Canada, Spain. One of them is Jupiter Records 15 691 AT.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 15 691 AT, DSC 131, 12E4-8281, E4-8281) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 15691 A-1/78S Made in Germany and 15691 B-1/78S Made in Germany. 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.
