Vinyl pressings
by Johann Sebastian Bach · 1962
Suites No.2&3 was first pressed on vinyl in 1962. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1962, 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.
ZAL-5396-1E B ZT 1Runout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-5397-1E U ET 1Runout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL.5396Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.5397Matrix on label - side B
ZAL-5396-1S Side 1Stamped Matrix
ZAL-5397-S Side 2Stamped Matrix
ARL-5396-1BRunout side A
ARL-5397-1BRunout side B
ARL.5396Label side A
ARL.5397Label side B
(Side A): AA 390 032 1Y 1 1962 670
(Side B): AA 390 032 2Y 1 1962 670
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Netherlands | Decca NUX 390 032First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1962 | US | London Records CM 9312First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | London Records CS 6243First yearLP, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1962 | UK | Decca LXT 6004 / Decca LXT.6004First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | Germany | Eurodisc S 70 301 KKLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1963 | UK | Decca SXL 6004 / Decca SXL.6004LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1963 | US | London Records STS 15541LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | London Records CS 6243LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| 1966 | France | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 129LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1966 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 129 / Ace Of Diamonds SDD.129LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | UK | Decca ECS 754 / Eclipse ECS 754LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia & New Zealand | Decca VIV 8LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | London Records VIV 8LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Decca 6.42717LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | London Records STS15541LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Brazil | London Records 43006LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Ace Of Diamonds SDDA-129 / Ace Of Diamonds SDDA 129LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | London Records CS 6243LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | London Records CM 6243LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Europe | Decca VIV 8LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Ace Of Diamonds ADD 129LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Decca ECS 754 / Eclipse ECS 754LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca ECS 754LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| ? | US | London Records CS 6243LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records CS 6243LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records CS 6243LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
26 vinyl pressings of Suites No.2&3 are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1962 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1962, in US, UK, Netherlands. One of them is London Records CM 9312.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CM 9312, CS 6243, LXT 6004, NUX 390 032) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-5396-1E B ZT 1 and ZAL-5397-1E U ET 1. 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.
