Vinyl pressings
by Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass · 1969
The Brass Are Comin' was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 15 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.
A+M CSG-SP4355-15 ∆14115 ⑨Side A runout, var. 1
A+M CSG-SP4356-16 ∆14115X ④Side B runout, var. 1
A+M CSG-SP4355-16 ∆14115 ⑤Side A runout, var. 2
A+M CSG-SP4356-16 ∆14115-X ⑥Side B runout, var. 2
A+M CSG-SP 4355-14 1 ƧSide A runout, variant 1
A+M CSG-SP4356-13 1 SSide B runout, variant 1
A+M CSG-SP4355-13 B 8 S 1Side A runout, variant 2
A+M CSG-SP4356-13 A 16 S 1Side B runout, variant 2
T 1 A+M CSG-SP4355-7 B 1Side A, runout, etched, exc. T & B stamped, var. 1
T 1 A+M CSG-SP4356-9 B 2Side B, runout, etched, exc. B stamped, var. 1
T I A+M CSG-SP4355-7Side A, runout, etched, var. 2
T I A+M CSG-SP4356-7Side B, runout, etched, var. 2
AM SP-4355-2 CSGVariant 2
AM CSG SP-4356-3Variant 2
A+M SP4355-3 CSGVariant 3
A+M CSG SP4356-2Variant 3
A&M SP4355-2 CSG 1 C A3 PSide A etched, exc. 1, C, A3 and ᴘ stamped (variant 1)
A&M CSG-SP4356-3 1 A4 PSide A etched, exc. 1, A4 and ᴘ stamped (variant 1)
P A+M SP4355-3 CSG 1 A 3Side A etched, exc. ᴘ, 1, A and 3 stamped (variant 2)
P A+M CSG-SP4356-3 1 A 2Side B etched, exc. ᴘ, 1, A and 2 stamped (variant 2)
CSG-4355Label Side 1
CSG-4356Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | A&M Records SAML-933557First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Brazil | A&M Records A&M 2046First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4228First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Colombia | Codiscos Internacional ECI-33 / A&M Records ECI-33First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Europe | A&M Records 212 079First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | France | A&M Records 212 079 / A&M Records 212079First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Germany | A&M Records 212 079First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Germany | A&M Records 212079First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1969 | New Zealand | A&M Records SAML 933557First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Peru | A&M Records SP-4228First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Scandinavia | A&M Records 212.079 / A&M Records 212 079First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | South Africa | A&M Records AMR 2108First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Spain | A&M Records HDA (S) 371-39 / A&M Records HDAS 371-39First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Uruguay | A&M Records SAML 70525First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Venezuela | A&M Records LPS-77558First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Argentina | A&M Records CSG 4356LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Argentina | A&M Records X-5108LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1970 | France | A&M Records SP 4.228LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1970 | Italy | A&M Records SP 4228LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Japan | A&M Records AML 50 / A&M Records AML-50LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Japan | A&M Records AML 50 / A&M Records AML-50LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1970 | Mexico | A&M Records AML/S 1039LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | UK | A&M Records AMLS962LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Australia | World Record Club S/5620 / World Record Club S-5620LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1976 | Japan | A&M Records LAX-5016LP, Album | LP, Album |
31 vinyl pressings of The Brass Are Comin' are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1969 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records SP 4228, released October 15, 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 4228, SAML-933557, A&M 2046, ECI-33) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A+M CSG-SP4355-15 ∆14115 ⑨ and A+M CSG-SP4356-16 ∆14115X ④. 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.
