Vinyl pressings
by ELF · 1974
Carolina County Ball was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. 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 1974, the album's first year, in 3 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.
TPS 3506 A–1U G 1 PORKY + MELRunout side A variant 1
TPS 3506 B–1U GG 1 PECKO MELORunout side B variant 1
TPS 3506 A–1U G 1 PORKY + MELRunout side A variant 2
TPS 3506 B–1U T 1 PECKO MELORunout side B variant 2
LPFB 2 4 2Side A runout
TPS 3506 B-1U G PECKO MELDSide B runout
A1-U TPS 3506 PORKY & MELSide A
B1-U TPS 3506 H/1 PORKY HELO LPFBSide B
M3G 4974-AA side runout, etched
M3G 4974-BB side runout, etched
[Artisan Sound Recordings logo]A & B sides runout, stamped
M3G 4974-A, Artisan logo, JGSide 1 runout, etched
M3G 4974-A, Artisan logo, JGSide A
M3G 4974-B, Artisan logo, JGSide B
M3G 4974-A [Artisan logo] JGA Side runout
M3G 4974-B [Artisan logo] JGB Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Germany | Purple Records 1 C062-95 248First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Purple Records 1 C062-95 248LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1974 | UK | Purple Records TPS 3506First yearLP, White Label | LP, White Label |
| 1974 | UK | Purple Records TPS 3506First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1974 | US | MGM Records M3G 4974First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Purple Records TPS 3506 / Purple Records 0C 062 ○ 95248First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | MGM Records M3G 4974First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | MGM Records M3G 4974First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Safari Records MWF 1039LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | Japan | Safari Records MWF 1039LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | Safari Records MWX 4029LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Line Records OLLP 5334 ASLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Germany | Line Records 66.23042-01LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1985 | UK | Safari Records LONG 7LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | UK | Safari Records LONG 7LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | UK | Safari Records LONG 7LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2425 / Purple Records MOVLP2425LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2425LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Line Records LILP 4.00115 JLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| ? | Germany & Switzerland | Line Records LILP 4.00115 JLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of Carolina County Ball are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1974 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, Germany. One of them is Purple Records TPS 3506, released April 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TPS 3506, M3G 4974, 1 C062-95 248) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TPS 3506 A–1U G 1 PORKY + MEL and TPS 3506 B–1U GG 1 PECKO MELO. 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.
