Vinyl pressings
by Chet Atkins · 1961
The Most Popular Guitar was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. 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 1961, the album's first year, in 5 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.
M2 WY0715-1Sstamped in runout side A
M2 WY0716-1Sstamped in runout side B
MS WY0715-2S A2 RVariation 2, Side A, Runout, Stamped
M2 WY0716-2S B3 RVariation 2, Side A, Runout, Stamped
M2 WP0713-1S I E1Side A stamped runout, variant 1
M2 WP0714-1S I B4Side B stamped runout, variant 1
M2 WP0713-1S I B1Side A stamped runout, variant 2
M2 WP0714-1S I B1Side B stamped runout, variant 2
M2 WP0713-6S A3 R Rside A runout stamped
M2 WP0714--6S A2 C R Rside B runout stamped
M2WP-0713side A label
M2WP-0714side B label
M2 WY0715-3SSide A, Runout, Stamped
M2 WY0716-3SSide B, Runout, Stamped
M2 WY0715-1S B1 ISide A runout, variant 1
M2 WY0716-1S I A2Side B runout, variant 1
M2 WY715-1S C1 IYSide A runout, variant 2
M2 WY716-1S B1 ISide B runout, variant 2
M2 WP0713-3S HSide A stamped runout
M2 WP0714-3S HSide B stamped runout
M2WP-0713Side A label
M2WP-0714Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Canada | RCA Victor LSP-2346First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1961 | Canada | RCA Victor LPM-2346 / RCA Victor LPM 2346First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | Germany | RCA LSP-2346First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | New Zealand | RCA RPL 3271First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | South Africa | RCA Victor 35,516First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor LSP-2346First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor LPM-2346 / RCA Victor LPM 2346First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor LPM-2346 / RCA Victor LPM 2346First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor LSP-2346First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor LSP-2346 / RCA Victor LSP 2346First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor LPM-2346 / RCA Victor LPM 2346First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | US | RCA Victor LSP-2346LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | RCA Camden ACL1-0834LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Colombia | RCA Victor LPC-281LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | RCA Victor LSP-2346LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of The Most Popular Guitar are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1961 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and more. One of them is RCA Victor LSP-2346.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LSP-2346, LPM-2346, RPL 3271, 35,516) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M2 WY0715-1S and M2 WY0716-1S. 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.
