Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1962
Symphony No. 6 In F Major "Pastoral" 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.
5 pressings came out in 1962, the album's first year, in 2 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.
XXSB-57530-2AA 1HRunout side A, variant 1
XXSB-57351-2C 1HRunout side B, variant 1
XXSB-57530-2D AIIIIIIIRunout side A, variant 2
XXSB-57351-2D AIRunout side B, variant 2
XEM-57348-2ESide 1
XEM-57349-2DSide 2
XXSB-57350-2AA HIIRunout Side 1
XXSB-57351-2C HIRunout Side 2
XSB 57350Side 1 Label
XSB 57351Side 2 Label
o XEM-57348-2BSide 1 runout
o XEM-57349-2ASide 2 runout
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 | Epic BC 1249First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | Canada | Epic LC 3849First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Epic BC 1249First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | US | Epic BC 1249First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | US | Epic LC 3849First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | UK | Columbia SAX 2549LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Japan | CBS/Sony Masterworks 13AC 442LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | CBS 30106LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | CBS 30106 / CBS CBS 30106LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | MFP Classics CFP 4054LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | Epic ELCS-9115 / Epic ELCS9115LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Epic BC 1249LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | France | Philips S 06.642 RLP, 10", Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Philips G 06.642 R10", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mono · Mono | 10", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | CBS 61153LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Columbia 33CX 1905LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Epic BC 1249LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Symphony No. 6 In F Major "Pastoral" are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1962 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1962, in US, Canada. One of them is Epic BC 1249, released October 22, 1962.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BC 1249, LC 3849) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XXSB-57530-2AA 1H and XXSB-57351-2C 1H. 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.
