Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Presley · 1965
Tell Me Why / Puppet On A String 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.
12 pressings came out in 1965, the album's first year, in 7 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.
45-H2WW-0254-X C Manufactured in Germany S-II-H HRunout side A
45-SPKM-2010-X U B Manufactured in Germany S-II-H HRunout side B
H 2 WW-0254Label side A
SPKM-2010Label side B
H2WW-0254-2C D G ISide A runout stamped variant 1
SPKM-2010-1C ISide B runout stamped variant 1
H2WW-0254-2C M ISide A runout stamped variant 2
SPKM-2010-1C G C ISide A runout stamped variant 2
H2WW-0254-2CStamped side A
SPKM-2010-1CStamped side B
H2WW.0254Label side A
SPKM.2010Label side B
H2WW-0254-2CSide A
SPKM-2010-1CSide B
H2WW.0254Label side A
SPKM.2010Label side B
H2WW.0254Label side A
SPKM.2010Label side B
H2WW - 0254 - 2CA Side run out
SPKM - 2010 - 2CB Side run out
H2WW-0254Label side A
SPKM-2010Label side B
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 | Chile | RCA Victor 47 - 8698First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Germany | RCA Victor 47-8698First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Greece | RCA Victor 47g 1159First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 47-8698First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1965 | Rhodesia | RCA Victor 41.824First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | South Africa | RCA Victor 41.824First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 1489First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 1489First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1965 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 1489First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1965 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 1489First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 1489First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | UK | RCA Victor ERC.1489First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1966 | Australia | RCA 47-86987", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of Tell Me Why / Puppet On A String are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1965 and 1966.
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in Germany, UK, Chile, Greece and more. One of them is RCA Victor 47-8698.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 47-8698, RCA 1489, ERC.1489, 47 - 8698) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-H2WW-0254-X C Manufactured in Germany S-II-H H and 45-SPKM-2010-X U B Manufactured in Germany S-II-H H. 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.
