Vinyl pressings
by Harold Melvin And The Blue Notes · 1975
To Be True was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1975, 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.
T2 PAL-33418-2E ΔM MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.Runout A variant 1
T2 PBL-33418-2D ΔM MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.Runout B variant 1
T1 PAL-33148-2E ΔM MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.Runout A variant 2
T1 PBL-33148-2D ΔM MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.Runout B variant 2
AL 33148Matrix Side A
BL 33148Matrix Side B
AL-3314-8-2H Mastered at Frankford / Wayne Phila. ΔM 1 SRunout Side A, Etched
BL-33148-2G ΔM Mastered at Frankford / Wayne Phila. 2 SRunout Side B, Etched
P AL - 33148 - 2B ΔM MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.Runout A variant 1
P BL - 33148 - 2B X ΔM OD MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.Runout B variant 1
P AL-33148-2E ΔM MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.Runout A variant 2
P BL-33148-2A ΔM MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.Runout B variant 2
AL-33418-2BRunoff Info A
BL-33418-3BRunoff Info B
AL-3314-2G ΔM A 2 1 sA runout etched
BL-33148-2H ΔM 1 sB runout etched
Mastered at Frankford / Wayne Phila.Runout, Both Sides, Stamped
AL 33148A label
PIR.S.80399.A1 ALLEN A 1Side A runout
PIR.S.80399.B1 A 1Side B runout
S PIR 80399 ASide A label
S PIR 80399 BSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | CBS SBP 234649First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Brazil | Epic 144137First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Brazil | Epic 144137First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | Philadelphia International Records KZ 33148 / Columbia KZ 33148First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Europe | Philadelphia International Records PIR 80399First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Greece | Philadelphia International Records PIR 80399 / Epic PIR 80399First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Israel | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 80399 / CBS PIR 80399First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Italy | Philadelphia International Records PIR 80399First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Jamaica | Philadelphia International Records KZ 33148First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Philadelphia International Records ECPO-20-PHFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Philadelphia International Records PIR 80399First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Spain | Philadelphia International Records PIR 80399First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 80399 / Philadelphia International Records PIR 80399First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Philadelphia International Records KZ 33148First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Philadelphia International Records KZ 33148First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Philadelphia International Records KZ 33148LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of To Be True are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Philadelphia International Records KZ 33148.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KZ 33148, S PIR 80399, SBP 234649, 144137) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T2 PAL-33418-2E ΔM MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. and T2 PBL-33418-2D ΔM MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.. 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.
