Vinyl pressings
by Joe Bataan · 1974
The Bottle = La Botella was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1974, 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.
p S-8701-ASRunout A, variant 1
p SS-8701-BSRunout B, variant 1
p S-8701-A̶M̶ ASRunout A, variant 2
p SS-8701-BS D̶3̶ ̶K̶S̶ ̶7̶3̶6̶ ̶-̶ ̶B̶-̶1̶B̶ (1)Runout B, variant 2
P S-8701-ASRunout A Side Etched / Stamped "P"
P S-8701-BSRunout B Side Etched / Stamped "P"
SS-8701-AS 1AA Side Etched
SS-8701-BS 1AB Side Etched
S 8701 A-SA Side Label
S 8701 B-SB Side Label
ZSS S-8701 ᴬˢ 1A T1A-Side Runout
ZSS S-8701 ᴮˢ 1A T1B-Side Runout
ZSS S8701-A-SA-Side Label
ZSS S8701-B-SB-Side Label
S -8701 - A̷M̷ ASA-Side Runout
P S -8701 - B M̷ SB-Side Runout
S 8701 A-SA-Side Label
S 8701 B-SB-Side Label
p S-8701-A̶M̶ ASA-Side Runout Etching
p SS-8701-BS D̶3̶K̶S̶ ̶7̶3̶6̶ ̶-̶ ̶B̶ ̶-̶ ̶1̶B̶ oB-Side Runout Etching
S 8701 A-SA-Side Label
S 8701 B-SB-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Canada | RCA Victor XB-01002First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | RCA Victor XB-01002First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | France | RCA Victor XB 01002First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Jamaica | RCA Victor SS-8701First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Mexico | Epic SC-71642First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | New Zealand | RCA Victor XB 01002First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Peru | Mericana Records SS 8701First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Epic 8-50089 / Salsoul Records 8-50089First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Salsoul Records SS-8701First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Epic 8-50089 / Salsoul Records 8-50089First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Salsoul Records SS-8701First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Epic 8-50089 / Salsoul Records 8-50089First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Epic 8-50089First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | US | Salsoul Records S-8701First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Epic 8-50089 / Salsoul Records 8-50089First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | US | Salsoul Records S-870112", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | RCA SP 42047", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
29 vinyl pressings of The Bottle = La Botella are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1974 and 2000.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Canada, France, Jamaica and more. One of them is Epic 8-50089.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 8-50089, SS-8701, S-8701, XB-01002) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, p S-8701-AS and p SS-8701-BS. 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.
