Vinyl pressings
by Jimmy Ruffin · 1967
Sings Top Ten was first pressed on vinyl in 1967. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1967, the album's first year, in 4 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.
H-1444 T4RM-9513Matrix Side A
H-1445 T4RM-9514Matrix Side B
H-1444 TR4M--9413-1-B A1 RRunout A, variant 1
H-1445 TR4M--9514-1-B A1 RRunout B, variant 1
SL 704-A SM 704-ARunout Side A, Etched
SL 704-B SM-704-BRunout Side B, Etched
TR4M--9513-1Runout Side A, Stamped
TR4M--9514-1Runout Side B, Stamped
H-1444Runout, hand-etched, side A
H-1445Runout, hand-etched, side B
TR4M--9513-1-DRunout, stamped, side A
TR4M--9514-1-DRunout, stamped, side B
SLS704-A SLS-704-A HS-1444 S-1Side 1 Runout Etched
SLS704-B SLS-704-B S-2Side 2 Runout Etched
TR4S-9507-1-FSide 1 Runout Stamped
TR4M-9513-1 I H-1444 A3
TR4M-9514-1 I H-1445 A3
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11048First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11048First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | Canada | Tamla Motown SM704First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Germany | Tamla Motown STM 704First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Soul SM704 / Soul SM 704First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | US | Soul SS704First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Soul SL 704First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | US | Soul SOUL 704 / Soul SM704First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | US | Soul 704 / Soul SLS 704First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Soul SM704 / Soul SM 704First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | US | Soul SM704 / Soul 704First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | US | Soul SL 704First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | US | Soul 704 / Soul SS704First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Soul SS-704First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Soul SLS-704First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Motown VIP-4159LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Sings Top Ten are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in US, UK, Canada, Germany. One of them is Soul SM704, released January 1967.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SM704, SS704, SL 704, SOUL 704) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, H-1444 T4RM-9513 and H-1445 T4RM-9514. 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.
Hold On To My Love
1980 · 32 pressings
What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted
1966 · 32 pressings
I've Passed This Way Before / Tomorrow's Tears
1966 · 26 pressings
I'll Say Forever My Love
1967 · 24 pressings
Sunrise
1980 · 16 pressings
Farewell Is A Lonely Sound / If You Will Let Me, I Know I Can
1969 · 16 pressings
