Vinyl pressings
by Los Lobos · 1987
La Bamba was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
46 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 26 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.
7-28336-A-SR1 1-1 [MASTERDISK] TD [SRC]Variant 1 - runout side A etched [stamped]
7-28336-B-SR1 1-1 [MASTERDISK] [SRC]Variant 1 - runout side B etched [stamped]
7-28336-A-SR1 1-1 [MASTERDISK] TD [SRC]Variant 2 - runout side A etched [stamped]
7-28336-B-SR1 1-1 [SRC]Variant 2 - runout side B etched [stamped]
7-28336-A-SH1 1-1 △16669 MASTERDISK TD ɑ R-18006-SH1Side A, Etched/Stamped
7-28336-B-SH1 ɑ R-17975-SH1 △16669-X 1-1Side B, Etched/Stamped
7-28336-A-SRI Masterdisk TDRunout Groove Side A, etched
7-28336-DJ-SRI Masterdisk TDRunout Groove Side B, etched
PRO-A1-2737-RE1-SH1 [ARC logo] B-27685-RE1-SH1 △16760 1-1 [MASTERDISK] TDSide 1 etched [stamped]
PRO-A2-2737-SH1 [ARC logo] B-27686-SH1 △16760-X 1-1 [MASTERDISK] TDSide 2 etched [stamped]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | London Records 277First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Australasia | London Records 886 168-7 / Slash 886 168-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Australasia | London Records 886 168-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Australia | London Records 886 168-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Australia | London Records 886 168-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Brazil | London Records 2801217First year12", Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 83367 / Slash 92 83367First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 83367 / Slash 92 83367First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Colombia | Philips 886168-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Ecuador | London Records LASH-13First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | London Records 886 168-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | London Records 886 168-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | France | London Records 886 168-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | France | London Records 886 168-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | London Records 886 168-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Mexico | PolyGram 709-A7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Panama | London Records 886 1687", Single | 7", Single |
51 vinyl pressings of La Bamba are listed here, from 28 countries, released between 1987 and 1995.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Bolivia, Australasia and more. One of them is Slash 7-28336.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-28336, PRO-A-2737, LASHX 13, LASH 13) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7-28336-A-SR1 1-1 [MASTERDISK] TD [SRC] and 7-28336-B-SR1 1-1 [MASTERDISK] [SRC]. 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.
