Vinyl pressings
by Johnnie Taylor · 1969
Testify 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.
15 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 8 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-0144-1B A.I. G.C.Variant 1 Runout A, etched
ST-0145-1A A.I. G.C.Variant 1 Runout B, etched
ST-0144-1A A.I. G.C.Variant 2 Runout A, etched
ST-0145-1A A.I. G.C.Variant 2 Runout B, etched
ST-0144 A.I. G. C.Runout, side A, etched
ST-0145 A.I. G.C.Runout, side B, etched
ST-0144-PLLabel A-side
ST-0145-PLLabel B-side
ST-0144 MR △75897 A.I. G.C.Side A runout
ST-0145 MR △75897-X A.I. G.C.Side B runout
ST-0144Side A label
ST-0145Side B label
ST-0144 A.I. G. C.Runout, side A, etched
ST-0145 A.I. G.C.Runout, side B, etched
STA-0144-PLLabel A-side
STA-0145-PLLabel B-side
ST-0144 PL
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 | Canada | Stax STA. 0033XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Finland | Stax STAX 122First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Stax Sta 0033 / Stax STA 0033First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Spain | Stax SN-20.259 / Stax SN-20259First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Sweden | Stax STAX 122First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | UK | Stax STAX 1227", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1969 | US | Stax STA-0033First year7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Stax STA-0033First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1969 | US | Stax STA-0033First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | US | Stax STA-0033First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1969 | US | Stax STA-0033First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Stax STA-0033First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | UK | Stax STAX 122First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | UK | Stax STAX 122First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | UK | Stax STAX 122First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | UK | Stax STAX 8207", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1987 | UK | Stax STAX 8207", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Stax 169.0497", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Lebanon | Stax STA 00337", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Stax STA-00337", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Stax STAX 00337", 45 RPM, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, White Label |
22 vinyl pressings of Testify are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1969 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Germany, Canada and more. One of them is Stax STA-0033, released April 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STA-0033, STAX 122, 1 C 006-90286, STA. 0033X) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-0144-1B A.I. G.C. and ST-0145-1A A.I. G.C.. 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.
