Vinyl pressings
by Chet Atkins · 1978
Guitar Monsters 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.
8 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 6 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 2786A 15 ɪ A2Side A runout stamped (Variant 1)
APL1 2786B-1S ɪ A1 RANDY'S ROOSTSide B runout etched (ɪ A1 stamped) (Variant 1)
APL1 2786A 15 I A2 L1Side A runout (Variant 2)
APL1 2786B-1S A2 RANDY'S ROOST ISide B runout (Variant 2)
PL・12786・A・1E AIB WEtched side A
PL・12786・B・1E AIB WEtched side B
PL・12786・A・1E AID WSide A runout
PL・12786・B・1E AIF WSide B runout
PL 12786 ASide A label
PL 12786 BSide B label
APL1-2786-A TG.Side A runout stamped
APL1-2786-B TG.Side B runout etched (ɪ A1 stamped)
APL1-2786-ASide A label
APL1-2786-BSide B label
RVP 6306AEtched side A
RVP6306BEtched 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | RCA APL1-2786First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | RCA APL1-2786 / RCA Victor APL1-2786First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | RCA RVP-6306First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | Japan | RCA RVP-6306First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | RCA PL 12786First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | RCA PL 12786First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | RCA PL 12786 / RCA Victor PL 12786First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | RCA APL1-2786 / RCA Victor APL1-2786First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | RCA AHL1-2786 / RCA Victor AHL1-2786LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | RCA AHL1-1167LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | US | RCA AHL1-2786 / RCA Victor APL1-2786LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | RCA Victor AYL1-3837LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | RCA AYL1-3837 / RCA Victor AYL1-3837LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Guitar Monsters are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is RCA APL1-2786.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use APL1-2786, PL 12786, RVP-6306) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, APL1 2786A 15 ɪ A2 and APL1 2786B-1S ɪ A1 RANDY'S ROOST. 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.
