Vinyl pressings
by Chet Atkins · 1976
The Best Of Chet Atkins And Friends was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 4 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.
I ∧2 APL1 1985A 1OSSide A, Stamped (Variant 1)
∧2 APL1 1985B 1SSide B, Stamped (Variant 1)
APL1 1985A 10S I A3 BSide A Runout (Variant 2)
APL1 1985B 1S I A2ESide B Runout (Variant 2)
MFP 5766 A-1-1-1 1 HTMSide A runout, stamped
MFP 5766 B-1-1-1 1Side B runout, stamped
APLI 1985A A1DSide 1 runout
APLI 1985B A1DSide 2 runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia & New Zealand | RCA Victor APL1-1985First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Canada | RCA Victor CPL1-1985First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | UK | Music For Pleasure MFP 5766First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | UK | RCA Victor PL 11985First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | RCA APL1-1985First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | RCA AHL1-1985First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Japan | RCA RVP-6159LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Japan | RCA RVP-6159LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Spain | RCA Victor PL-11985LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | RCA SCD499-078 / Summit SCD 499 078LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress |
10 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Chet Atkins And Friends are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1976 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia & New Zealand, Canada. One of them is RCA APL1-1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use APL1-1985, AHL1-1985, MFP 5766, PL 11985) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, I ∧2 APL1 1985A 1OS and ∧2 APL1 1985B 1S. 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.
