Vinyl pressings
by Johnnie Taylor · 1969
Love Bones was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. 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 1969, the album's first year, in 6 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.
ST-0252 MASTERCRAFT PRRunout, side A, etched
ST-0253 MAASTERCRAFT PRRunout, side B, etched
ST-0252-PLSide A Label
ST-0253-PLSide B Label
ST-0252 MASTERCRAFT PRSide A Runout Etched
ST-0253 MASTERCRAFT PRSide B Runout Etched
ST-0252Side A Label
ST-0253Side B Label
ST-0252 MASTERCRAFT LW PR SRC
ST-0253 SRC LW MASTERCRAFT PR
ST-0252-PLLabel A
ST-0253-PLLabel B
ST-0252 HCMRunout side A
ST-0253 HCMRunout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Stax KK-3481First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Canada | Stax STA-0055XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Greece | Stax 45-M 18First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Stax STA 0055First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Stax KK-3481 / Stax STA-0055First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | Stax STA-0055First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | Stax STA-0055First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | Stax STA-0055First year7" | 7" |
| 1969 | US | Stax STA- 0055First year7" | 7" |
| 1969 | US | Stax STA-0055First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1969 | US | Stax STA-0055First year7" | 7" |
| 1969 | US | Stax STA-0055First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Stax STA-0055First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Germany | Stax 1 C006-91 059 M / Stax C006-91 0597", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Stax 169.0577", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Germany | Audio Arts! 60507", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Stax STA-00557", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
17 vinyl pressings of Love Bones are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1969 and 1970.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, Australia, Canada, Greece and more. One of them is Stax STA-0055.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STA-0055, STA- 0055, KK-3481, STA-0055X) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-0252 MASTERCRAFT PR and ST-0253 MAASTERCRAFT PR. 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.
