Vinyl pressings
by Marty Robbins · 1976
El Paso City was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 4 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.
P AL 34303-1E 1T CSide A runout, variant 1
P BL 34303-1DSide B runout, variant 1
P AL 34303-1BSide A runout, variant 2
P BL 34303-1CSide B runout, variant 2
P AL-34303-1JSide 1, Etched
P BL 34303-1ESide 2, Etched
COLUMBIA NY C P OSide 1, Stamped
E P OSide 2, Stamped
AL 34303-1GSide A, Stamped
BL 34303-1H IT COLUMBIA NYSide B, Stamped
(Side A) P AL 34303-1F
(Side B) P BL 34303-1P
P AL 34303-1E 1T CSide A, Stamped and Etched
P BL 34303-1DSide B, Stamped
AL 34303Side A, Printed On Label
BL 34303Side B, Printed On Label
CBS S 81561 A2Side A Stamped
CBS S 81561 B1Side B Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | CBS SBP 234883First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia KC 34303First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | CBS S CBS 81561First yearLP | LP |
| 1976 | US | Columbia KC 34303First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Columbia KC 34303First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia KC 34303First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Columbia KC 34303First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Columbia KC34303First yearLP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | UK | Spot Records SPR 8506LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australia | Rainbow RSVLP 022 / CBS RSVLP 022LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of El Paso City are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1976 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Canada. One of them is Columbia KC 34303.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KC 34303, KC34303, S CBS 81561, SBP 234883) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P AL 34303-1E 1T C and P BL 34303-1D. 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.
