Vinyl pressings
by Merle Haggard · 1966
The Bottle Let Me Down was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. 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 1966, 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.
45-56172-F-1 [1 ✲]A-side runout, etched [stamped]
45-56171-F-1 [1 ✲]B-side runout, etched [stamped]
45-56172A-side label
45-56171B-side label
45-56172-P1 IAMA-side runout, stamped
45-56171-P1#2 IAMB-side runout, stamped
45-56172A-side label
45-56171B-side label
45-56172-P-1A-side runout, etched [stamped]
45-56171-P-1B-side runout, etched [stamped] variant 1
45-56172-P1 #2 [I A M in triangle]A-side runout variant 2
45-56171-P1 #3 [I A M in triangle]B-side runout variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Canada | Sparton P 1506First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1966 | Canada | Capitol Records 45-61147", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1966 | US | Capitol Records 5704First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1966 | US | Capitol Records 5704First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1966 | US | Capitol Records 6114First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Capitol Records 6114 / Starline 61147", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Starline X-6114 / Capitol Records X-61147", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records P 61147", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Reissue · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| ? | US | Capitol Records A-6114 / Starline A-61147", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Starline 6114 / Capitol Records 61147", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records 61147", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of The Bottle Let Me Down are listed here, from 2 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, Canada. One of them is Capitol Records 5704.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5704, 6114, P 1506) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-56172-F-1 [1 ✲] and 45-56171-F-1 [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.
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