UK
March 1965- Label and catalog number
- Decca LXT 6148Decca LXT.6148
- Format
- LP, Mono
- Runout / matrix
ARL.6559Label caption side A
ARL.6560Label caption side B
Ludwig Van BeethovenBeethoven Quartets
Vinyl pressings
Beethoven Quartets
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1965
18 pressings7 countriesClassicalClassical
Beethoven Quartets 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Beethoven Quartets
6 pressings came out in 1965, the album's first year, in 3 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.
UK
March 1965- Label and catalog number
- Decca SXL 6148
- Format
- LP, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
ZAL 6559Side A label
UK
1965- Label and catalog number
- Ace Of Diamonds SDD 309
- Format
- LP, Stereo
US
1965- Label and catalog number
- London Records CM 9431
- Format
- LP, Mono
US
1965- Label and catalog number
- London Records CS 6431
- Format
- LP, Stereo
Germany
1965- Label and catalog number
- Decca SXL 21107-B
- Format
- LP, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
ZAL 6559Side 1
ZAL 6560Side 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 18 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s10 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Germany | Decca SXL 21107-BFirst yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1965 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 309First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | London Records CM 9431First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | London Records CS 6431First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1965 | UK | Decca LXT 6148 / Decca LXT.6148First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | UK | Decca SXL 6148First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1967 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | ETERNA 8 20 731LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Not On Label 8 20 731LP, Test Pressing, White Label, Mono · Test pressing, Mono | LP, Test Pressing, White Label, Mono · Test pressing, Mono |
| 1967 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | ETERNA 8 25 731LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1969 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | ETERNA 8 25 731LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
1970s5 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Japan | London Records SLC 1848LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | London Records SLC 2255LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | London Records STS 15220LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | Mexico | Richmond B-19265LP, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1976 | Spain | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 309LP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
1980s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Japan | London Records K18C-8262LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Decca SXL 21107-BLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca SXL 21107-BLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
Tracklist
- Quartet No. 10 In E Flat Op. 74
- Quartet No. 11 In F Minor Op. 95
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Beethoven Quartets are there?
18 vinyl pressings of Beethoven Quartets are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1965 and 1982.
When was Beethoven Quartets first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in UK, US, Germany. One of them is Decca LXT 6148, released March 1965.
How do I tell if my copy of Beethoven Quartets is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LXT 6148, SXL 6148, SDD 309, CM 9431) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARL.6559 and ARL.6560. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Beethoven Quartets on vinyl worth?
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.
