Vinyl pressings
by Howlin' Wolf · 1972
Chester Burnett A.K.A. Howlin' Wolf was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
2CH 60016 - A STM 5537Var. 1: Side A runout
2CH 60016 - B STM 5537Var. 1: Side B runout
2CH 600016 - C STM - 5537Var. 1: Side C runout
2CH 60016 - D STM - 5537Var. 1: Side D runout
2CH 60016 - A STM 5537Var. 1: Side A runout
2CH 60016 - B STM 5537Var. 1: Side B runout
2CH 600016 - C STM - 5537Var. 1: Side C runout
2CH 60016 - D STM - 5537Var. 1: Side D runout
9033-60016-S1 (GRT) (Q)Side 1 Runout
9033-60016-S2 (GRT) (Q)Side 2 Runout
9033-60016-S3 (GRT) (Q)Side 3 Runout
9033-60016-S4 (GRT) (Q)Side 4 Runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Canada | Chess 9033-60016First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Bellaphon BLST 6521 / Chess BLST 6521First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | US | Chess 2CH-60016First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | US | Chess 2CH-60016First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Chess 2CH-60016First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | Italy | Chess CHD 60016LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | US | Chess 2CH-60016LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| 1976 | Germany | Bellaphon BLS 5553LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Japan | Chess BT-5113~4LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Chess 6641 538LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Chess 6641 538LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Chess 6641 538LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Chess 6641 538LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Chess 2ACMB 201LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Chess 2ACMB-201LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Canada | Cadet CH-60016/2LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1986 | Finland | Chess CHESS-DLP-213LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Chess 2033-60016LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | France | Chess 427016LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | France | Chess 427016LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Chess 427016LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | Spain | Chess 30.532207/8 / Bluesmen 30.532207/8LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Chess 2CH-60016LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
24 vinyl pressings of Chester Burnett A.K.A. Howlin' Wolf are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1972 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Canada, Germany. One of them is Chess 2CH-60016.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2CH-60016, 9033-60016, BLST 6521) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2CH 60016 - A STM 5537 and 2CH 60016 - B STM 5537. 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.
