Vinyl pressings
by Dick Dale & His Del-Tones · 1963
Checkered Flag was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. 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 1963, 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.
T1-2002-G4 IAMSide A runout, stamped (variant 1)
T2-2002-G4 IAMSide B runout, stamped (variant 1)
T1-2002-G2 IAMSide A runout, stamped (variant 2)
T2-2002-F3 IAMSide B runout, stamped (variant 2)
ST-1-2002-A3 IAM &Runout side A stamped
ST-2-2002-B-2 IAM &Runout side B stamped
T1-2002-F5 1 ☆Side A runout, etched, ☆ (stamped)
T2-2002-F5 1 ☆Side B runout, etched, ☆ (stamped)
T1-2002Side A label
T2-2002Side B label
ST-1-2002-A4Runout side A stamped
ST-2-2002-B4Runout side B stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Australia | Capitol Records T-2002First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | Canada | Capitol Records T-2002First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | Germany | Capitol Records STK 83674First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | New Zealand | Capitol Records T-2002First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | Capitol Records T 2002 / Capitol Records T-2002First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | Capitol Records ST 2002First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1963 | US | Capitol Records T 2002 / Capitol Records T-2002First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | Capitol Records ST 2002First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | US | Sundazed Music LP 5293LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | Sundazed Music LP5293LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
10 vinyl pressings of Checkered Flag are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1963 and 2010.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US, Australia, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Capitol Records T 2002.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T 2002, ST 2002, T-2002, STK 83674) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1-2002-G4 IAM and T2-2002-G4 IAM. 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.
