Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Cash · 1979
A Believer Sings The Truth was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. 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 1979, 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.
K-11031 CL3-9001-A-2-RE MASTERFONICS GOLRunout A, hand-etched
K-11032 CL3-9001-B-2-RE MASTERFONICS GOLRunout B, hand-etched
K-11033 CL3-9001-C-2-RE MASTERFONICS GOLRunout C, hand-etched
K-11034 CL3-9001-D-2-RE MASTERFONICS GOLRunout D, hand-etched
CL3-9001-A-3-RE △24569 (1) MASTERFONICSRecord one Side 1 etched
CL3-9001-B-3-RE △24569-X (1) MASTERFONICSRecord one Side 2 etched
CL3-9001-C-3-RE △24570 (1) MASTERFONICSRecord two Side 1 etched
CL3-9001-D-3-RE △24570-X (1) MASTERFONICSRecord two Side 2 etched
CL3-9001-A-1 MASTERFONICSRunout A, hand-etched
CL3-9001-B-1 MASTERFONICSRunout B, hand-etched
CL3-9001-C-1 MASTERFONICSRunout C, hand-etched
CL3-9001-D-1 MASTERFONICSRunout D, hand-etched
CBS S 84123-A-1Etched, Side A
CBS S 84123 B1Stamped, Side B
CBS_S_8312A B1 [the A has been scratched out]Etched, Side B
CL3-9001-A (RECORD-1-SIDE-1) G. JAMFSide A runout
CL3-9001-B #3 G. JAMFSide B runout
CL3-9001-A̶ C #2 G. JAMFSide C runout
CL3-9001-D (RECORD 2-SIDE 4) G. JAMFSide D runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | CBS SBP 237507First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Cachet Records CL3-9001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Cachet Records CL3-9001-RSFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Europe | CBS CBS 84123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1763First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | New Zealand | CBS Records New Zealand SPB237507First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | CBS 84123 / CBS S CBS 84123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Cachet Records CL3-9001 / Cachet Records 0998First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Cachet Records CL3-9001 / Cachet Records 0998First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Cachet Records CL3-9001 / Cachet Records 0998First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | USA & Canada | Cachet Records CL3-9001-RS / Cachet Records, Inc. CL3-9001-RSFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Netherlands | Priority Records LSP 15661LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Priority Records PU 38074LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Afrts RL 51-9 / United States Department Of Defense RL 51-9LP, Album | LP, Album |
14 vinyl pressings of A Believer Sings The Truth are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1979 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Cachet Records CL3-9001.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CL3-9001, 84123, SBP 237507, CBS 84123) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K-11031 CL3-9001-A-2-RE MASTERFONICS GOL and K-11032 CL3-9001-B-2-RE MASTERFONICS GOL. 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.
