Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1962
Quartet In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131 was first pressed on vinyl in 1962. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1962, 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.
L2 RY2116-1S I A1Runout side A - machine stamped - variant #1
L2 RY2117-1S A1 IRunout side B - machine stamped - variant #1
L2 RY2116-2S I A1Runout side A - machine stamped - variant #2
L2 RY2117-2S I A1Runout side B - machine stamped - variant #2
L2RP-2114--3S A2 IRunout, Side A, Stamped
L2RP-2115--2S I B1Runout, Side B, Stamped
L2RP-2114Label, Side A
L2RP-2115Label, Side B
L2 RP2114--1S A1 IRunout side A - machine stamped
L2 RP2115--1S I A1Runout side B - machine stamped
L2RP-2114Matrix on label - side A
L2RP-2115Matrix on label - side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Canada | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2626 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM 2626First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | Germany | RCA LM-2626-CFirst yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | Germany | RCA LSC-2626-BFirst yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2626 / RCA Victor Red Seal LSC 2626First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | US | Armed Forces Radio & Television Service Station LibraryLP, Transcription, Mono · Mono | LP, Transcription, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2626 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM/LSC-2626First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2626First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | RCA Victor 560 606LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2626 / RCA Victor Red Seal LSC 2626LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2626 / RCA Victor Red Seal LSC 2626LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Quartet In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131 are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1962, in US, Canada, Germany. One of them is RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2626.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LSC-2626, LM-2626, LM-2626-C, LSC-2626-B) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, L2 RY2116-1S I A1 and L2 RY2117-1S A1 I. 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.
