Vinyl pressings
by Jimmy Smith · 1968
Stay Loose was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 7 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.
V/V6-8745 S-1 MG/MGS-1462 RE-1 <CSG>side 1 variant 1, etched
V/V6-8745 SIDe 2 MG/MGS-1463 RE-1 <-CSG->side 2 variant 1, etched
V/V6-8745 S-1 MG/MGS-1462 RE-1 <CSG>side 1 runout variant 2, etched
V/V6-8745 SIDe 2 MG/MGS-1463 <-CSG->side 2 runout variant 2, etched
V/V6-8745 SIDE 1 MG/MGS - 1462 ← CSG → 12 [block-shaped S]Side A runout, variant 1
V/V6-8745 SIDE 2 MG/MGS - 1463-1 ← CSG → 11 [block-shaped S]Side B runout, variant 1
V/V6-8745 SIDE 1 MG/MGS - 1462 ← CSG → 23 [block-shaped S]Side A runout, variant 2
V/V6-8745 SIDE 2 MG/MGS - 1463-1 ← CSG → 22 [block-shaped S]Side B runout, variant 2
V6 8745 A-1 G 1A-side runout
V6 8745 B-1 G 1B-side runout
V6/8745AA-side label
V6/8745BB-side label
V 8745 A-1 GA-side runout, stamped
V 8745 B-1 GB-side runout, stamped
V/8745AA-side label
V/8745BB-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Australia | Verve Records V6-8745First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1968 | Canada | Verve Records V6-8745First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | France | Verve Records V6-8745First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Germany | Verve Records V6-8745First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Germany | Verve Records V6-8745First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Germany | Verve Records V6-8745First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | Italy | Verve Records SVL 52.016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | South Korea | Taedo TLP 98LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1968 | UK | Verve Records SVLP 9218 / Verve Records SVLP. 9218First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | Verve Records VLP 9218 / Verve Records VLP. 9218First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | US | Verve Records V6-8745First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Verve Records V6-8745First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Verve Records V6-8745 / MGM Records 1463\First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1968 | US | Verve Records V-8745First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
14 vinyl pressings of Stay Loose are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Verve Records V6-8745.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V6-8745, V-8745, SVLP 9218, VLP 9218) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V/V6-8745 S-1 MG/MGS-1462 RE-1 <CSG> and V/V6-8745 SIDe 2 MG/MGS-1463 RE-1 <-CSG->. 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.
