Vinyl pressings
by Charley Pride · 1973
Sweet Country was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. 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 1973, 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.
APL1-0217-A-2S HSide A - Runout Stamped
APL1-0217-B-2S HSide B - Runout Stamped
[unreadable signature starting with "J" and ending with "k"]Side A & B - Runout Etching
APL1-0217-ASide A Label
APL1 0217A 1S I ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K A6Runout Side A
APL1 0217B 1S ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K I A3Runout Side B
APL1-0217-ALabel Side A
APL1-0217-BLabel Side B
APD1 0217A 1 1111-1111- 11 I - A3Side A runout
APD1 0217B 2 Q -1 1 11-1 I A3 -11Side B runout
APD1-0217-ASide A label
APD1-0217-BSide B label
LSA 3181A-1E A2GRunout side A
LSA 3181B-1E A2HRunout side B
APL1-0217-A A1A1Side A Label
APL1-0217-B A1A2Side B Label
APL1-0217-ASide A Label
APL1-0217-BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | RCA Victor APL1-0217First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | RCA Victor APL1-0217First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA Victor APL1-0217 (LSP)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA Victor APL1-0217 (LSP)First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Jamaica | RCA Victor APL1-0217First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | RCA RCA-5085First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | RCA Victor APL1-0217First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | RCA LSA 3181 / RCA APLI 0217First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | RCA APD1-0217First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1973 | US | RCA Victor APL1-0217First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | RCA Victor APL1-0217First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Taiwan | First Record FL-2364LP, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
12 vinyl pressings of Sweet Country are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is RCA Victor APL1-0217.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use APL1-0217, APD1-0217, LSA 3181, APL1-0217 (LSP)) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, APL1-0217-A-2S H and APL1-0217-B-2S H. 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.
