Vinyl pressings
by Hank Locklin 路 1963
3 Country Gentlemen was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1963, the album's first year, in 5 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.
PPRM-3243-11S A1 RA-Side Runout Etching
PPRM-3244-5S B1 RB-Side Runout Etching
PPRM-3243Label Side A
PPRM-3244Label Side B
P P R S - - 3245 - - 4 S A 2Side A Runout
P P P R S - - 3246 - - 1 S A 1 ISide B Runout
PPRS- -3245- -3S H ASide A runout stamped
PPRS- -3246- -3S HSide B runout stamped
PPRS-3245Side A label
PPRS-3246Side B label
PPRM-3243-10S A1 饾櫢Runout, Stamped, Side A
PPRM-3244- 6S 饾櫢 A2Runout, Stamped, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Canada | RCA Victor LPM-2723First yearLP, Album, Mono 路 Mono | LP, Album, Mono 路 Mono |
| 1963 | Germany | RCA Victor LSP-2723 / RCA Victor LSP 2723First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | Japan | Victor SHP-5252First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | UK | RCA Victor RD-7590First yearLP, Album, Mono 路 Mono | LP, Album, Mono 路 Mono |
| 1963 | UK | RCA Victor RD-7590First yearLP, Album, Mono 路 Mono | LP, Album, Mono 路 Mono |
| 1963 | UK | RCA Victor SF-7590First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | US | RCA Victor LPM 2723 / RCA Victor LPM-2723First yearLP, Album, Mono 路 Mono | LP, Album, Mono 路 Mono |
| 1963 | US | RCA Victor LSP-2723 / RCA Victor LSP 2723First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | US | RCA Victor LSP-2723 / RCA Victor LSP 2723First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | US | RCA Victor LPM 2723 / RCA Victor LPM-2723First yearLP, Album, Mono 路 Mono | LP, Album, Mono 路 Mono |
| 1964 | US | RCA Victor LSP-2723 / RCA Victor LSP 2723LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | RCA Victor LSP-2723LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | RCA Victor LPM-2723 / RCA Victor LPM 2723LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | RCA Victor PPRS 3245 / Boek En Plaat CS 037LP, Album, Club Edition 路 Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition 路 Club edition |
| ? | South Africa | RCA Victor 31.786LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | South Korea | Seill Record Co SA 33 / Seill Record Co SB 33LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | RCA Victor RD-7590LP, Album, Mono 路 Mono | LP, Album, Mono 路 Mono |
| ? | UK | RCA Victor SF-7590 / RCA Victor SF 7590LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
18 vinyl pressings of 3 Country Gentlemen are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1963 and 1964.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is RCA Victor LPM 2723.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LPM 2723, LSP-2723, RD-7590, SF-7590) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PPRM-3243-11S A1 R and PPRM-3244-5S B1 R. 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.
