Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1964
Symphonies Nos 1&8 was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1964, 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.
ZAL-6161-1G U 1Runout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-6162-1G U KT 1Runout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL.6161Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.6162Matrix on label - side B
ARL.6161Side A label, inverted
ARL.6162Side B label, inverted
ZAL-6161-4LA side engraving
ZAL-6162-3LB side engraving
ARL-6161-1A U AN IRunout side A
ARL-6162-1A C AN IRunout side B
N ARL.6161Label side A
N ARL.6162Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Canada | London Records CM 9388 / London Records CM. 9388First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | London Records CS 6388First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1964 | US | London Records CM 6388First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | UK | Decca SXL 6096 / Decca SXL.6096First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1964 | UK | Decca LXT 6096 / Decca LXT.6096First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 101 / Ace Of Diamonds SDD.101LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1965 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds ADD 101 / Ace Of Diamonds ADD.101LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Spain | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 101 / Ace Of Diamonds SDD. 101LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Ace Of Diamonds SDDA 101LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 101LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records CS 6388LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Symphonies Nos 1&8 are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1964 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in UK, US, Canada. One of them is Decca SXL 6096, released July 1964.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXL 6096, LXT 6096, CS 6388, CM 6388) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-6161-1G U 1 and ZAL-6162-1G U 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.
