Vinyl pressings
by Count Basie Orchestra · 1965
Basie Picks The Winners was first pressed on vinyl in 1965. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1965, 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.
V6-8616 SiDE-1 65-VGS-520-1 [Block-shaped S]Side A runout
V6-8616 SiDE-1 65-VGS-521 [Block-shaped S]Side B runout
V6-8616 ASide A label
V6-8616 BSide B label
V8616 SIDE 1 65VG120 13Side A rounout, variant 1
V8616 SIDE 2 65VG121 11Side B rounout, variant 1
V8616 SIDE 1 65VG120Side A rounout, variant 2
V8616 SIDE 2 65VG121Side B rounout, variant 2
C⋀ V 8616 SIDE1 65VG120Side-A Runout
C⋀ V 8616 SIDE2 65VG121Side-B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Australia | Verve Records V6-8616First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | Canada | Verve Records V 8616 (D)First yearLP | LP |
| 1965 | Canada | Verve Records V-8616 / Verve Records V 8616(D)First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | UK | Verve Records VLP 9097First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | UK | Verve Records SVLP 9097First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Verve Records V-8616 / Verve Records V/8616First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Verve Records V6-8616 / Verve Records SW-90584LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1965 | US | Verve Records V6-8616First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Verve Records V6-8616LP | LP |
| ? | Germany | Verve Records V-8616LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | Verve Records V6-8616LP | LP |
| ? | US | Verve Records V6-8616 / Verve Records V6/8616LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Verve Records V-8616LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
13 vinyl pressings of Basie Picks The Winners are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in US, UK, Australia, Canada. One of them is Verve Records V6-8616, released June 1965.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V6-8616, V-8616, VLP 9097, SVLP 9097) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V6-8616 SiDE-1 65-VGS-520-1 [Block-shaped S] and V6-8616 SiDE-1 65-VGS-521 [Block-shaped S]. 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.
