Vinyl pressings
by Hector Berlioz · 1974
Symphonie Fantastique 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.
4 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 3 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.
AA 6500 774 1Y 3 ℗1974 670 11 3 03Runout side A
AA 6500 774 2Y 4 ℗1974 670 113 03Runout side B
6500 774.2 YMatrix label side A
6500 774.2 YMatrix label side B
AA 6500 774 1Y 3 ℗1974 670 112 03Side A Runout Stamped
AA 6500 774 2Y 4 ℗1974 670 114 03Side B Runout Stamped
6500 774.1 YSide A Label
6500 774.2 YSide B Label
AA 6500 774 1Y 3 (P)1974 670 1 03Runout stamped 1
AA 6500 774 2Y (P)1974 670 11 365 03Runout stamped 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Philips 6500 774First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | Philips 6500 774First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Philips 6500 774First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Philips 6500 774First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Philips 6500 774LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Philips 6500 774LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | France | Philips Classics 411 425-1LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1986 | Italy | DeAgostini 416 711-1 / Philips 416 711-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Philips 6500 774LP, Album, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Philips 6500 774LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Philips 6500 774LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | France | Philips 6500 774LP | LP |
| ? | Netherlands | Philips Classics 416 659-1LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Philips Classics 416 659-1LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
14 vinyl pressings of Symphonie Fantastique are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1974 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in Netherlands, Australia, Japan. One of them is Philips 6500 774, released December 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6500 774) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AA 6500 774 1Y 3 ℗1974 670 11 3 03 and AA 6500 774 2Y 4 ℗1974 670 113 03. 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.
