Vinyl pressings
by Muddy Waters · 1971
They Call Me Muddy Waters was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. 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 1971, 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.
1553 side one stm5013s-1-cSide A runout, variant 1
1553 side two stm5014s-1-cSide B runout, variant 1
Δ15621 1553Side one stm5013S-2-CH 18868-S MREtched, side 1, variant 2
Δ15621-X 1553Side Two stm5014S-2-CH 18869-S MREtched, side 2, variant 2
1553-sideone STM5013S-1-[Conjoined CH] 18868Side A runout
1553sidetwo 2S STM5014S-1-Conjoined CH] 18869Side B runout
18868Side A label
18869Side B label
1553 Side one STM5013S-1-CH 18868 PRunout A, CH joined
1553 Side two STM5014S-1-CH 18869 PRunout B, CH joined
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Germany | Bellaphon BLPS 19043 / Chess BLPS 19043First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Chess CH 1553First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1971 | US | Chess CH-1553 / Chess CH1553First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | US | Chess CH-1553 / Chess CH1553First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | US | Chess CH-1553 / Chess CH1553First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | Australia | Chess CHLS 276LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | Chess SJET-8370LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Chess CHLS 276LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Chess CH-1553LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | France | Chess 515036LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1984 | France | Chess 515036LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | US | Chess CH-9299 / MCA Records CH-9299LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | US | Chess B0016675-01 / Universal Music Special Markets B0016675-01LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Chess 9033-1553LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Chess 515036LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | Green Line Records GCH 8109 / Chess GCH 8109LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Chess CH-1553LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Chess CH-1553LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
18 vinyl pressings of They Call Me Muddy Waters are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1971 and 2012.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Germany. One of them is Chess CH-1553, released February 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CH-1553, CH 1553, BLPS 19043) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1553 side one stm5013s-1-c and 1553 side two stm5014s-1-c. 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.
