Vinyl pressings
by Julius Wechter · 1970
Greatest Hits 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.
12 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.
A&M-CSG, SP-4395, 7, T, 1Side A: All etched except 7 and T
A&M-SP-4396-RE-1, CSG, 7, T, 1Side B: All etched except 7 and T
SMAS 1 93840 A1 #1Side 1, etched
SMAS 2 93840 A1 #1Side 2, etched
A&M-CSG SP-4395 [?] 1 B PRunout A Side Etched & Stamped [?]
A&M-SP-4396-RE-1 | CSG 1 B PRunout B Side Etched & Stamped
A&M-CSG SP-4395 15 MR Δ14405 (2)Side 1 runout
A&M-SP.-4396 RE-1 CSG 15 MR Δ14405-X (2)Side 2 runout
CSG-SP-4395Side 1 label
CSG-SP-4396Side 2 label
A&M-CSG SP-4395 15 (MR) △14405 ②Side 1 runout
A&M-SP-4396 RE-1 CSG 15 (MR) △14405-X ②Side 2 runout
CSG-SP-4395Side 1 label
CSG-SP-4396Side 2 label
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 | Unknown | A&M Records 80.696-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | Australia | A&M Records SAML-933,709First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4248 / A&M Records SP-4248First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | Canada | A&M Records A&M SP 4248 / A&M Records SP 4248First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1970 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4248First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | Canada | A&M Records SP-69857 / A&M Records CSG SP-4396LP, Album, Compilation, Repress | LP, Album, Compilation, Repress |
| 1970 | Japan | A&M Records AML 62First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records A&M SP 4248 / A&M Records SP 4248First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records A&M SP 4248 / A&M Records SP 4248First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records A&M SP 4248 / A&M Records SP 4248First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records A&M SP 4248 / A&M Records SP 4248First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records SP-4248 / A&M Records SP 4248First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records A&M SP 4248 / A&M Records SP 4248First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1971 | Italy | A&M Records SLAM 47.028LP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1977 | Spain | A&M Records AMLH 64248LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Colombia | A&M Records AMS 5122LP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| ? | Germany | A&M Records 80 696 IT / A&M Records SP 4248LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | A&M Records A&M SP 4248 / A&M Records SP 4248LP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| ? | US | A&M Records A&M SP 4248 / A&M Records SP 4248LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1970 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Australia, Canada, Japan. One of them is A&M Records A&M SP 4248.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use A&M SP 4248, SP-4248, 80.696-1, SAML-933,709) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A&M-CSG, SP-4395, 7, T, 1 and A&M-SP-4396-RE-1, CSG, 7, T, 1. 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.
