Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Cash & The Tennessee Two · 1970
The Singing Story Teller was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 4 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.
XSBV-130391-1F[Variant 1] Side A runout etched
XSBV-130392-1F[Variant 1] Side B runout etched
T 1 XSBV130391-1A C 1[Variant 2] Side A runout etched ["C" is stamped]
T 1 XSBV-130392-1A A 3[Variant 2] Side B runout etched ["A" is stamped]
XSBV-130391-1G SUN-115-A TVC[with 'T' over 'V']Side A runout etched
XSBV-130391-1G SUN-115-B TVC[with 'T' over 'V']Side B runout etched
XSBV-130391-1F [P D1 (stamped]Side A Etched Runout
XSBV-130392-1F [P A3 (stamped]Side B Etched Runout
XSBV 130391Side A Label
XSBV 130392Side B Label
T l [p stamped] XSBV-130391-1ASide A Etched Runout
T X l XSBV-130392-1A 4Side B Etched Runout
XSBV 130391Side A Label
XSBV 130392Side B Label
SUN-115AMatrix Runout Side A
SUN-115BMatrix Runout Side B
XSBV-130391-1D A2Side A runout etched
XSBV-130392-1DSide B runout etched
XSBV-130391-1C A A2Side A runout etched (Variant 2)
XSBV-130392-1D SSide B runout etched (Variant 2)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Sun SNL-933792First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | Canada | Sun SUN 115First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Sun SNL-933792First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | US | Sun SUN 115First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Sun SUN 115 / Sun SUN-115First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Sun SUN 115First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Sun SUN 115 / Sun SUN #115First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Sun SUN 115 / Sun SUN #115First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Sun SUN 115First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Sun SUN 115 / Sun SUN-115First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Sun SUN 115First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | Taiwan | First Record FL-1888LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Sun SQ 20.034LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1973 | Germany | Bellaphon BI 1571LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Sun SUN 115LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Bellaphon Bl 1571LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue |
16 vinyl pressings of The Singing Story Teller are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1970 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is Sun SUN 115.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SUN 115, SNL-933792) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSBV-130391-1F and XSBV-130392-1F. 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.
