Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1970
Symphony No. 6 was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1970, 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.
S1-36684-F1 . . . IAMSide A, etched. Stamped "IAM" inside a triangle has been hashed out
S2-36684-F3 #2 . . . IAMSide B, etched. Stamped "IAM" inside a triangle
S1-36684-F2 . . . IAMSide A, etched. Stamped "IAM" inside a triangle has been hashed out
S2-36684-F3 . . . IAMSide B, etched. Stamped "IAM" inside a triangle
2YEA.3817Label - Side A
2YEA.3818Label - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Germany | His Master's Voice 1C 037-02 004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | UK | His Master's Voice ASD 2535 / His Master's Voice ASD. 2535First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Angel Records S-36684First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Angel Records S-36684First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Switzerland | Ex Libris EL 16 770LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | UK | His Master's Voice SXLP 30313 / His Master's Voice 0C 053-02 004LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Angel Records RL-32007 / Angel Red Line RL-32007LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | His Master's Voice OASD 2535 / His Master's Voice OASD. 2535LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Angel Records RL-32007 / EMI RL-32007LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | His Master's Voice 1C 063-02 004LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Die Stimme Seines Herrn 1C 037-02 004 / His Master's Voice 1C 037-02 004LP, Shape, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Shape, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice ASD 2535 / His Master's Voice ASD.2535LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice ASD 2535 / His Master's Voice ASD.2535LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Angel Records S-36684LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of Symphony No. 6 are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1970 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Germany. One of them is Angel Records S-36684.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S-36684, ASD 2535, 1C 037-02 004) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S1-36684-F1 . . . IAM and S2-36684-F3 #2 . . . IAM. 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.
