Vinyl pressings
by Buddy Rich · 1971
A Different Drummer 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.
11 pressings came out in 1971, 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.
APRS-5651-1S-A2D RRunout side A, variant 1, stamped
APRS-5652-4S-A1B RRunout side B, variant 1, stamped
APRS-5651-1S-A1B RRunout side A, variant 2, etched
APRS-5652-4S-A2C RRunout side B, variant 2, etched
APRS 5651 2S IRunout side A
APRS-5652-2S IRunout side B
APRS-5651Label side A
APRS-5652Label side B
APRS-5651-3S HSide A, Stamped
APRS-5652-3S HSide B, Stamped
APRS-5651Label Side A
APRS-5652Label Side B
APRS 5651-1ERunout, A-side [stamped]
APRS 5652-2ERunout, B-side [stamped]
A1BRunout, A-side [etched]
A1DRunout, B-side [etched]
LSP-4593Label, side A
LSP-4593Label, side B
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 | Australia | RCA Victor LSP-4593First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Canada | RCA Victor LSP-4593First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | RCA Victor LSP-4593 / RCA Victor LSP 4593First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Israel | RCA Victor LSP-4593First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Japan | RCA SHP 6231First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | New Zealand | RCA Victor LSP-4593 / RCA Victor LSP 4593First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | South Africa | RCA Victor 38.340First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | RCA Victor SF 8229First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | RCA Victor LSP-4593First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | RCA Victor LSP-4593First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | RCA Victor LSP-4593First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | RCA R4P-5015LP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1972 | Japan | RCA R4P-5015LP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1974 | Japan | RCA RCA-6218LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | RCA PG-28LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | RCA International (Camden) INTS 1475 / RCA International INTS 1475LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | RCA ANL1-1090LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
17 vinyl pressings of A Different Drummer are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1971 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is RCA Victor LSP-4593, released October 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LSP-4593, SF 8229, SHP 6231, 38.340) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, APRS-5651-1S-A2D R and APRS-5652-4S-A1B R. 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.
