Vinyl pressings
by Gioacchino Rossini · 1967
String Sonatas was first pressed on vinyl in 1967. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1967, the album's first year. 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.
ZRG-2869-1G C KT 1Side A runout, variant 1
ZRG-2870-1G U KT 1Side B runout, variant 1
ZRG-2869-1G B KT 1Side A runout, variant 2
ZRG-2870-1G B KT 1Side B runout, variant 2
ARG-2869-2ARunout side 1 - stamped
ARG-2870-1ARunout side 2 - stamped
ARG 2869Matrix on label - side 1
ARG 2870Matrix on label - side 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | UK | Argo RG 506First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | UK | Argo ZRG 506First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Spain | Decca SXL 29029LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Argo ZRGA 506LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia & New Zealand | Decca VIV 49LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Australia & New Zealand | Decca VIV 49LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | Argo 7308 / Argo 7.308LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Decca Viva! VIV 49LP | LP |
| 1983 | UK | Decca VIV 49LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | London Records STS 15576LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Japan | London Records KIJC 9135LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1994 | Japan | London Records KIJC 9135LP, Limited Edition, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing, Limited | LP, Limited Edition, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing, Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Argo ZRG 506LP, Repress | LP, Repress |
| ? | Germany | Decca 63 923 / Deutsche Buch-Gemeinschaft 63 923LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| ? | Germany | Decca SMD 1127LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca SMD 1127LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Argo ZRG 506LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Argo ZRG 506LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Argo ZRG 506LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Argo ZRG 506LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Argo ZRG 506LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Argo ZRG 506LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Argo ZRG 506LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
23 vinyl pressings of String Sonatas are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1967 and 1994.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in UK. One of them is Argo ZRG 506, released April 1967.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZRG 506, RG 506) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZRG-2869-1G C KT 1 and ZRG-2870-1G U KT 1. 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.
