Vinyl pressings
by George Jones & Tammy Wynette · 1976
Golden Ring was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. 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 1976, 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.
o T 1 PAL-34291-1ARunout side A, variant 1
o T 1 PBL-34291-1ARunout side B, variant 1
o T1 PAL-34291-1A AE 2Runout side A, variant 2
o T2 PBL-34291-1A AE 2Runout side B, variant 2
AL 34291-1CSide A runout, variant 1
BL 34291-1DSide B runout, variant 1
AL 34291-1BSide A runout, variant 2
BL 34291-1CSide B runout, variant 2
EPC-S-81568-A1Side A
EPC-S-81568-B1Side B
EPC.S.81568.A1A-Side Runout
EPC.S.81568.B1B-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Epic ELPS 2780First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | Epic KE 34291First yearLP | LP |
| 1976 | Europe | Epic EPC 81568 / Epic KE 34291First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Jamaica | Epic KE 34291First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Epic EPC 81568, KE 34291First yearLP | LP |
| 1976 | UK | Epic S EPC 81568, KE 34291First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Epic S EPC 81568First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1976 | US | Epic KE 34291First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Epic KE 34291First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Epic KE 34291First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | UK | Epic EPC 81568, KE 34291First yearLP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Hallmark Records SHM 3024LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Epic KE 34291LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | US | Epic PE 34291LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Epic PE 34291 / Epic KE 34291LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of Golden Ring are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Epic KE 34291.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KE 34291, EPC 81568, KE 34291, S EPC 81568, KE 34291, S EPC 81568) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, o T 1 PAL-34291-1A and o T 1 PBL-34291-1A. 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.
