Vinyl pressings
by Jim Reeves · 1981
Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 6 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.
AHL1-4127A 2S(var. 1) Side A stamped
AHL1-4127B 1S(var. 1) Side B stamped
RANDYS ROOST(var. 1) Sides A & B etched
AHL1 4127A 1S RANDYS ROOST ΛI B(var. 2) side A stamped [exc. RANDYS ROOST and B]
RCALP 3057 A-1U JA TAPE ONE 6 1Side A runout stamped/etched
RCALP 3057 B-1U JA TAPE ONE 4 1Side B runout stamped/etched
RCALP 3057 A§Side A label
PL 14127 ASide A label
AHL1-4127-A #2 XOHO CR [circled]A side runout hand etched, except CR
AHL1-4127-D CR [circled] XDHOB side runout hand etched, except CR
AHL1-4127-AA side label
AHL1-4127-BB side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | RCA Victor APL1-4127First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Canada | RCA AYL1-5152LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1981 | Canada | RCA Victor AHL1-4127First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | RCA AYL1-5152First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | UK | RCA RCALP 3057 / RCA PL 14127First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | RCA Victor AHL1-4127First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | RCA Victor AHL1-4127First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Zimbabwe | RCA TRC 3082 / RCA Victor TRC 3082First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | New Zealand | RCA Victor APL1 4127 / RCA Victor APLI 4127First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | US | RCA Victor AYL1-5152LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1981 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, New Zealand, Australia and more. One of them is RCA Victor AHL1-4127.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AHL1-4127, RCALP 3057, APL1 4127, APL1-4127) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AHL1-4127A 2S and AHL1-4127B 1S. 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.
