Vinyl pressings
by B.B. King · 1971
Sweet Sixteen was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 3 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.
16190-1C-S sssSide A, Etched
16329 S (Scratched Out 16195)-1A S sssSide B, Etched
45-16190-SSide A, Label
45-16329-SSide B, Label
16190-1C S sRunout A
16329 S 1̶6̶1̶9̶5̶ -1A S sRunout B
45-16190-SLabel A
45-16329-SLabel B
16190-S-1 TISide A, Etched
16329 1̶6̶1̶9̶5̶-S-2 TISide B, Etched
45-16190-SSide A, Label
45-16329-SSide B, Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | ABC Records ABC-11319First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Japan | Probe IPR-10019First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Japan | Probe IPR-10019First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | US | ABC Records ABC-11319First year7", Single, Styrene | 7", Single, Styrene |
| 1971 | US | ABC Records ABC-11319First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | US | ABC Records 45-11319First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | ABC Records ABC-11319First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | US | ABC Records ABC-11319First year7", Single, Styrene | 7", Single, Styrene |
| 1972 | France | Probe 2C 006-93335 M / Probe 2C 006-93.335 M7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Probe 5C 006-93 3357", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | ABC Records ABC-113197", Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
11 vinyl pressings of Sweet Sixteen are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1971 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Canada, Japan. One of them is ABC Records ABC-11319.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ABC-11319, 45-11319, IPR-10019) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 16190-1C-S sss and 16329 S (Scratched Out 16195)-1A S sss. 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.
