Vinyl pressings
by Ken Dodd · 1965
Tears was first pressed on vinyl in 1965. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1965, the album's first year, in 12 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.
7XCA 28991-1 GDD KT 4Runout side A, variant 1
7XCA 28995-1 GRD KT 1Runout side B, variant 1
7XCA 28991-1 GPG KT 4Runout side A, variant 2
7XCA 28995-1 GTL KT 3Runout side B, variant 2
7XCA 28991-1 RLD NN KT 3Stamped Runout Side A, letters LD both overprinted with X
7XCA 28995-1 RLL KTStamped Runout Side B
7XCA.28991Label Side A
7XCA 28995Label Side B
7XCA 28991A-side label
7XCA 28995B-side label
7XCA 28991-1 GDL KT 2Stamped Runout Side A
7XCA 28995-1 GLM KT 3Stamped Runout Side B
7XCA 28991Label Side A
7XCA 28995Label Side B
7XCA 28991A-side label
7XCA 28995B-side label
7XCA 28991-1 KTSide A Runout, Stamped
7XCA 28995-1 KTSide B Runout, Stamped
7XCA 28991Side A Label
7XCA 28995Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Australia | Columbia DO-4619First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Canada | Capitol Records 72297First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Finland | Columbia 45-DYC 1247First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Germany | Columbia C 23 159 / Columbia 45-DW 6430First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Germany | Columbia C 23159First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1965 | Ireland | Columbia DB(I) 7659First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | New Zealand | Columbia DNZ.10431First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | New Zealand | Columbia DNZ.10431First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | South Africa | Columbia 45-DSA 617First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Sweden | Columbia DB 7659First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1965 | UK | Columbia DB 7659First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | UK | Columbia DB 7659First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | UK | Columbia DB 7659First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | UK | Columbia DB 7659First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | UK | Columbia DB 7659First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Columbia DB 76597", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
27 vinyl pressings of Tears are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in UK, US, Netherlands, Norway and more. One of them is Columbia DB 7659, released August 27, 1965.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DB 7659, DB.7659, 55835, F-55835) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7XCA 28991-1 GDD KT 4 and 7XCA 28995-1 GRD KT 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.
