Vinyl pressings
by Muddy Waters · 1960
Muddy Waters Sings "Big Bill" was first pressed on vinyl in 1960. 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 1960, 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.
Chess LP 358 A SheldonSide A runout, variant 1
LP-358-B Chess SheldonSide B runout, variant 1
Chess LP 358 A 9780 SheldonSide A runout, variant 2
LP-358-B Chess Sheldon 9781Side B runout, variant 2
Chess LP 358 A 9780 Δ2179 SheldonSide A runout, variant 1
Chess LP 358 B 9781 Δ2180 SheldonSide B runout, variant 1
U-9780Side A label (set 1)
U-9781Side B label (set 1)
Chess LP -358ASide 1 Etching
PP-9781 LP-358-B ChessSide 2 Etching
MX146051 CHL221-1Side A
MX146052 CHL221-2Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Australia | Chess CHL 221First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | US | Chess LP-1444First yearLP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1960 | US | Chess LP 1444 / Chess LP-1444First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | US | Chess LP 1444First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | US | Chess LP 1444 / Chess CH-1444-LPFirst yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Netherlands | Chess International PAR 209LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1964 | Netherlands | Chess International PAR 209LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1964 | UK | Pye International NPL 28048LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | UK | Marble Arch MAL 723LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | UK | Marble Arch MALS 723LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Finland | Chess CHESS-LP 111LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | Italy | Chess GCH 8029 / Green Line Records GCH 8029LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | US | Chess CH-9197LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | US | Chess CH-9197LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Germany | Speakers Corner Records / Chess LP-1444LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2003 | Germany | Chess LP-1444 / Chess LP 1444LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Europe | DOL DOL1444LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2014 | Spain | WaxTime 771955LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2015 | Europe | DOL DOL1444HLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2019 | Europe | Vinyl Lovers 6785515LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Blues Joint 8012LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Chess CHLS 221LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| ? | Australia | Chess CHLS 221LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Chess 515029 / Vogue 515029LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Chess LPS 1444LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Chess LP 1444 / Chess LPS 1444LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
26 vinyl pressings of Muddy Waters Sings "Big Bill" are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1960 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in US, Australia. One of them is Chess LP 1444, released June 1960.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LP 1444, LP-1444, CHL 221) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Chess LP 358 A Sheldon and LP-358-B Chess Sheldon. 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.
