Vinyl pressings
by Blue Cheer · 1969
New! Improved! Blue Cheer was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 8 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.
PHS 600305A- M1 || - ||| MRSide A runout stamped [ || - ||| etched], variant 1
PHS 600305B- M2 | - |||Side B runout stamped [ | - ||| etched], variant 1
PHS 600305A- M2 | - | MRSide A runout stamped [ | - | etched], variant 2
PHS 600305B- M2 || - ||Side B runout stamped [ || - || etched], variant 2
PHS600305A- M 1 MRRunout Side A, Variant 1
PHS600305B- M3 1-1 MRRunout Side B, Variant 1
PHS600305A- M1 11-1 MRRunout Side A, Variant 2
PHS600305B- M2-1-11 MRRunout Side B, Variant 2
PHS 600305A- M1 || - || MRSide A runout stamped [ || - || MR etched]
PHS 600305B- M2 - | - || MRSide B runout stamped [ | - || MR etched]
PHS600305A-M1 1-1 [stamped] MR [etched]Side A runout
PHS600605B-M2 1-1 [stamped] MR [etched]Side B runout
852 136 1Y //1 420 1A Stamped
852 136 2Y //1 420 1B Stamped
852 136 1YA Label
852 136 2YB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Philips PDS-329First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Canada | Philips PHS 600-305First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Germany | Philips 852 136 BYFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Japan | Mercury SM-7294First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Philips PHS 600-305 / Philips PHS 600305First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | South Africa | Philips PST 5109First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Philips PHS 600-305 / Philips PHS-600-305First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Philips PHS 600-305 / Philips PHS-600-305First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Philips PHS 600-305 / Philips PHS-600-305First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Philips PHS 600-305 / Philips PHS-600-305First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Philips PHS 600-305 / Philips PHS-600-305First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Philips SBL 7896 / Philips 852 136 BYFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Italy | Akarma AK 016LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1999 | Italy | Akarma AK 016LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| 1999 | Italy | Akarma AK 016LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1999 | Italy | Akarma AK 016LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Italy | Akarma AK99016 / Comet Records AK99016LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2006 | Italy | Akarma AK 99016LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | France | Absinthe Records ARLP 523LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Philips PHS 600-305 / Philips PHS-600-305LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Germany | Philips 852 136 BYLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
21 vinyl pressings of New! Improved! Blue Cheer are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1969 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Philips PHS 600-305.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PHS 600-305, SBL 7896, PDS-329, 852 136 BY) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PHS 600305A- M1 || - ||| MR and PHS 600305B- M2 | - |||. 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.
