Vinyl pressings
by John Denver · 1981
Some Days Are Diamonds 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.
14 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 12 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.
PB-12246-A-3S 100600 MasterfonicsA-Side Runout Etching, Variant 1
PB-12246-B-4S 100657 MasterfonicsB-Side Runout Etching, Variant 1
PB-12246-A-4S Masterfonics 100610A-Side Runout etched, Masterfonics stamped, 100610 mirrored Variant 3
PB-12246-B-3S Masterfonics 100609A-Side Runout etched, Masterfonics stamped, 100609 mirrored Variant 3
PB-12246-A-1S Masterfonics ɪ A2Side A etched, exc. [Masterfonics ɪ A2] stamped, variant 1
PB-12246-B-1S Masterfonics ɪ A1Side A etched, exc. [Masterfonics ɪ A1] stamped, variant 1
PB-12246-A-1S Masterfonics ɪ A1Side A etched, exc. [Masterfonics ɪ A2] stamped, variant 2
PB-12246-B-1S Masterfonics ɪ A2Side A etched, exc. [Masterfonics ɪ A1] stamped, variant 2
RCA 97 A-1U 2 1 JA TAPE ONESide A runout
RCA 97 B-1U 2 1 JA TAPE ONESide B runout
RCA 97 ASide A label
PB 2246 ASide A 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 | Argentina | RCA 0146First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | RCA Victor 103820First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Brazil | RCA 101.4118First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | RCA PB-12246First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | El Salvador | RCA CA-11161First year7", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | Germany | RCA Victor PB 2246 / RCA PB 2246First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | RCA RPS-37First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 103820First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | South Africa | RCA Victor 42 1071First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Spain | RCA Victor PB - 2246First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | RCA PB-12246First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1981 | US | RCA JH-12246First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | RCA PB-12246First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | RCA RCA 97 / RCA PB 2246First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of Some Days Are Diamonds are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is RCA PB-12246.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PB-12246, JH-12246, RCA 97, 103820) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PB-12246-A-3S 100600 Masterfonics and PB-12246-B-4S 100657 Masterfonics. 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.
