Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Cash · 1971
I Walk The Line was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 2 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.
JS-6097-A SM-1 31-411-7URunout Side A
JS-6097-B K 31-411-7_Runout Side B
JS-6097-A | 31-4 11-7⊃ TRunout Side A
JS-6097-B 31-4 11-7. TRunout Side B
JS-6097-A I 31-4 II-7 ɔ TVariant #1 - Runout A-Side (etched)
JS-6097-B X 31-4 II-1_ TVariant #1 - Runout B-Side (etched)
JS-6097-A I 31-4 II-7 ɔ TVariant #2 - Runout A-Side (etched)
JS-6097-B X I 31-4 II-7 ɔ TVariant #2 - Runout B-Side (etched)
JS-6097 A SM-1Runout side A
JS-6097 B KRunout side B
BM-585-S1Side A etch
BM-585-S2 2Side B etch
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | Birchmount BM 582First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | Canada | Birchmount BM 582First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | Canada | Pickwick/33 Records JS-6097First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Hilltop JS 6097 / Pickwick/33 Records JS. 6097First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Hilltop JS 6097 / Pickwick/33 Records JS. 6097First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Hilltop JS-6097 / Pickwick/33 Records JS. 6097First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | US | Hilltop JS 6097 / Pickwick/33 Records JS. 6097First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Spain | Beverly Records L 30002 BLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Pickwick JS 6097LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Pickwick JS 6097LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Hilltop JS. 6097 / Pickwick/33 Records JS. 6097LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Pickwick JS 6097LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | US | Pickwick JS 6097LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | US | Pickwick/33 Records JS. 6097 / Hilltop JS-6097LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Pickwick JS 6097LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of I Walk The Line are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1971 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Canada. One of them is Hilltop JS 6097.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JS 6097, JS-6097, BM 582) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, JS-6097-A SM-1 31-411-7U and JS-6097-B K 31-411-7_. 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.
