Vinyl pressings
by Junior Walker · 1976
Whopper Bopper Show Stopper 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.
11 pressings came out in 1976, 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.
S6-748S1-2657-S-06B △21529Runout Variant 1, Side A Etched
S6-748S1-2658-S-06B △21529-XRunout, Variant 1, Side B Etched
S6-748S1-2657-S-06B MR (In Circle. Printed) Ⅱ/3 BARunout Variant 2, Side A
S6-748S1-2658-S-06A MR (In Circle. Printed) Ⅱ/3 BA △21529-XRunout Variant 2, Side B
S6-748S1-2657-S-06AA side runout, variant 1
S6-748S1-2658-S-06BB side runout, variant 1
S6-748S1-2657-S-06B MR ◁ 21529A side runout, variant 2
S6-748S1-2658-S-06A F⸍2 MR ◁ 21529-XB side runout, variant 2
S6-748S1-2657-S-06AA Side Hand-Etched Runout
S6-748S1-2658-S-06BB Side Hand-Etched Runout
2657-SA Side Label
2658-SB Side Label
STML 12048 A-1Side A runout, stamped
NICKY W.Side A runout, hand-etched
STML 12048 B-1Side B runout, stamped
A NICKY CUTSide B runout, hand-etched
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 | Canada | Motown S 748PIFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Motown S 748 PI / Motown 2658-SFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1976 | France | Motown 2C 066 98418First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Motown 1 C 062-98 418First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Motown 5C 062-98 418First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Panama | Motown 11-11-1274First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Motown STML 12048First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1976 | US | Soul S6-748S1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Soul S6-748S1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Soul S6-748S1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Venezuela | Tamla Motown LPS-88.742 / Tamla Motown LPS 88742First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Argentina | Tamla Motown SUP-806LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Motown STML 12048 / Motown 0C 062-98 418LP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of Whopper Bopper Show Stopper are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Soul S6-748S1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S6-748S1, STML 12048, S 748PI, 2C 066 98418) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S6-748S1-2657-S-06B △21529 and S6-748S1-2658-S-06B △21529-X. 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.
