Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Cash · 1976
The Last Gunfighter Ballad was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1976, 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.
PAL-34314-2CRunout, Side A - variant 1
T 2 PBL-34134-1ARunout, Side B - variant 1
PAL-34314-2B T2 o ARunout, Side A - variant 2
T 2 PBL-34134-1A DRunout, Side B - variant 2
0 P AL 34314-2C S1 AA-side runout, variant 1
1S PBL 34314-1B A2B-side runout, variant 1
P AL 34314-2C S1 A3A-side runout, variant 2
1S PBL 34314-1B B3B-side runout, variant 2
PAL-34314-2CRunout, Side A
T 2 PBL-34134-1ARunout, Side B
AL 34314Label, Side A
BL 34314Label, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | New Zealand | CBS SBP234878First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Columbia KC 34314First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Columbia KC 34314First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia KC 34314First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Australia | CBS SBP 234878LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Europe | CBS CBS 81566LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | CBS CBS 81566LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia KC 34314LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Columbia KC 34314 / Columbia 34314LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | CBS CBS 81566LP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
10 vinyl pressings of The Last Gunfighter Ballad are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, New Zealand. One of them is Columbia KC 34314.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KC 34314, SBP234878) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL-34314-2C and T 2 PBL-34134-1A. 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.
