Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Presley · 1978
Unchained Melody was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 13 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.
PB-11212-A-2S 1Side A Etched, variant 1
PA-11212-B-2S 1 A3Side B Etched, variant 1
PB-11212-A-1S I A2A side runout, variant 2
PA-11212-B-2S I ACB side runout, variant 2
PB 11212 A-1S I A6Etched, Runout Side A, variant 1
PA-11212-B-2S I C2Etched, Runout Side B, variant 1
PB 11212 A-1S I A7Etched, Runout Side A, variant 2
PA-11212-B-2S I b3Etched, Runout Side B, variant 2
HKAS 32196 2S SM 1AEtched runout side A
HKAS 32196 1S SM 1AEtched runout side B
HKAS 32196Label side A
HKAS 32197Label side B
ZPRS 691
ZPRS 692
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | RCA Victor 103093First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Belgium | RCA PB 1212First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | RCA RCA 11212 / RCA RCA-11212First year7", Single, Limited Edition, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", Single, Limited Edition, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | Canada | RCA RCA 11212First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | France | RCA Victor PB 1212First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | RCA Victor PB 1212First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | France | RCA PB 1212 / RCA Victor PB 1212First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | RCA Victor PB 1212First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Japan | RCA SS-3147First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Netherlands | RCA Victor PB-1212 / RCA PB 1212First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 103093First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Philippines | RCA Victor PB-11212First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1978 | South Africa | RCA Victor 42-843First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Spain | RCA PB-1212 / RCA Victor PB-1212First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Spain | RCA PB-1212First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | RCA RCA-112127", Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl | 7", Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl |
21 vinyl pressings of Unchained Melody are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Italy, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is RCA PB-11212.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PB-11212, JH-11212, PB 1212, 103093) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PB-11212-A-2S 1 and PA-11212-B-2S 1 A3. 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.
