Vinyl pressings
by Freddy Fender · 1974
Before The Next Teardrop Falls 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.
11 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 4 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.
1S DOSD-2020-A ①Side A runout, variant 1
1S DOSD-2020 B ⑥Side B runout, variant 1
DOSD-2020-A ⑥Side A runout, variant 2
1S DOSD-2020 B ①Side B runout, variant 2
T 1 DOSD-2020-A ④Runout A variant 1
T 1 DOSD-2020-B ③Runout B variant 1
T 1 DOSD-2020-A ⑦Runout A variant 2
T 1 DOSD-2020-B ⑫Runout B variant 2
T1 DOSD-2020-A ⑦Runout side A, etched
T1 DOSD-2020-B ⑯Runout side B, etched
DOSD-2020-AMatrix side A, on label
DOSD-2020-BMatrix side B, on label
DOSD-2020-A 9Side A Runout - variant 1
DOSD-2020-B 10Side B Runout - variant 1
DOSD-2020-A (9)Side A Runout - variant 2
DOSD-2020-B (11)Side B Runout - variant 2
DOSD - 2020-A ⑩Runout etched A side
1S DOSD - 2020 B ②Runout etched B side
(DOSD-2020-A)Label A side
(DOSD-2020-B)Label B side
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 | Jamaica | ABC Dot DOSD-2020First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Norway | MCA Records DO-2020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Philippines | ABC Dot ABC-DOT-1028 (DOSD-2020)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | ABC Dot DOSD-2020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | ABC Dot DOSD-2020LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1974 | US | ABC Dot DOSD-2020First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | ABC Dot DOSD-2020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | ABC Dot DOSD-2020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | ABC Dot DOSD-2020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | ABC Dot DOSD-2020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | ABC Dot DOSD-2020First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | ABC Dot DOSD-2020First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | Australia | Dot Records DL-35548LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Australia | Dot Records L-35548LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Brazil | Young 304.0053LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-37110LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | South Korea | MCA Records OLM-3023LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37110LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MDO 2020LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37110LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Malaysia | SAS SASLP-642LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Netherlands | MCA Records 201.401LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Norway | ABC Dot DOSD-2020LP, Album | LP, Album |
41 vinyl pressings of Before The Next Teardrop Falls are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1974 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Jamaica, Norway, Philippines. One of them is ABC Dot DOSD-2020.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DOSD-2020, DO-2020, ABC-DOT-1028 (DOSD-2020)) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1S DOSD-2020-A ① and 1S DOSD-2020 B ⑥. 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.
