Vinyl pressings
by Crosby & Nash · 1976
Whistling Down The Wire 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.
28 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 19 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.
ABCD 956-A ① > SX S2Runout side A, etched, Variant 1
ABCD 956-B ⑧ > K KRunout side B, etched, Variant 1
ABCD 956-A ⑥ > K XRunout side A, etched, Variant 2
ABCD 956-B ② > ISRunout side B, etched, Variant 2
1S ABCD-956-A ④ >Runout Side A - variant 1
1S ABCD-956-B ① >Runout Side B - variant 1
1S ABCD-956-A ⑤ >Runout Side A - variant 2
1S ABCD-956-B ⑥ >Runout Side B - variant 2
ABCD-956-AMatrix Side A
ABCD-956-BMatrix Side B
ABCD-956-A ⑫ > II-IIRunout Side A, etched - Variant 1
ABCD-956-B ⑫ > II-IIRunout Side B, etched - Variant 1
ABCD-956- A̶ - (14) K-7539 GOLRunout Side A, variant 1
ABCD-956-B- (14) K-7541 GOLRunout Side B, variant 1
ABCD-956-A-(13) K-7538 GOLRunout Side A, variant 2
ABCD-956-B-(13) K-7540 GOLRunout Side B, variant 2
T1 ABCD-986-A 16 > A4Etched Side A, variant 1
S1 ABCD-956-B 2 >SX T D1>Etched Side B, variant 1
T1 ABCD-956-A ⑮ > A8Etched Side A, variant 2
Ƨ ABCD-956-B ① >SXT B17Etched Side B, variant 2
S2 ABCD-956-A ⑦ > K SX BSide A, etched
1S ABCD-956-B ⑦ > K SX CSide B, etched
ABCD 956-AMatrix Side A, label
ABCD 956-BMatrix Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Argentina | Polydor 2310468First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Austria | Polydor 2310 468First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | ABC Records 9022-956First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor 2310 468First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Greece | Polydor 2310 468First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Ireland | Polydor 2310 468First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | Polydor 2310 468 AFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | Polydor MPF1016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Polydor 2310 468First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Philippines | Polydor 2310 468First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Portugal | Polydor 2310 468First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | South Africa | Polydor 2310 468First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Spain | Polydor 2310 468First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Polydor 2310 468First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Venezuela | Polydor 30.208First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
28 vinyl pressings of Whistling Down The Wire are listed here, from 19 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Brazil, France and more. One of them is ABC Records ABCD-956, released July 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ABCD-956, 2310 468, 2310468, 9022-956) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ABCD 956-A ① > SX S2 and ABCD 956-B ⑧ > K K. 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.
