Vinyl pressings
by Neil Diamond · 1968
Neil Diamond's Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1968, 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.
WS 1004 T Bell Sound MR 6-7-68 △12069Runout A
WS 1005 Bell Sound MR △12069-XRunout B
WS-1004Label A
WS-1005Label B
WS 1004-2BSide A, Variant 1
WS 1005-1ASide B, Variant 1
WS-1004-1 Bell Sound A2 T1Side A, Variant 2
Ws-1005-2 Bell Sound B4 T1Side B, Variant 2
WS-1004 Bell Sound 6-7-68 Δ12069Side A runout
WS-1005-RE-1 Bell Sound Δ12069-XSide B runout
WS-1004Side A label
WS-1005Side B label
AudioMatrix WS1004-1 Bell Sound 9-23 68Runout A
WS1005-1Runout B
WS 1004Label A
WS 1005Label B
WS 1004-1 Bell SoundSide A runout, stamped
9-23-88Side A runout, etched
Bell SoundSide B runout, stamped
WS 1005 RE-1 sfSide B runout, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Canada | Bang Records 9011-219 / Bang Records RCC 22949LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1968 | Canada | Bang Records BLPS-219 / Bang Records BLPS219First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1968 | Canada | Bang Records BLPS-219 / Bang Records BLPS219First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1968 | Canada | Bang Records BLPS-219 / Bang Records BLPS219First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1968 | Canada | Bang Records BLPS-219 / Bang Records BLPS219First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1968 | Canada | Bang Records RCC 22949 / Bang Records 9011-219First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1968 | Canada | Bang Records 9011-219First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1968 | Germany | Bang Records BLPS219 / Metronome BLPS 219First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Stateside SSLM 6041 / Stateside SSLM.6041First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Bang Records BLPS-219First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1968 | US | Bang Records BLPS-219LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Bang Records BLPS-219 / Bang Records BLPS 219First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Bang Records BLPS-219First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Bang Records BLPS-219First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Bang Records BLPS-219 / Bang Records BLPS 219First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | US | Bang Records BLPS-219LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1970 | Taiwan | 中聲 CSJ-745LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1974 | Canada | Bang Records 9011-219LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Bang Records BLPS-219 / Bang Records BLPS219LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Bang Records BLPS-219 / Bang Records BLPS 219LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Bang Records BLPS-219LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Top Tape Musica Ltda. TLP-1005LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | New Zealand | Stateside SSLM. 6041LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| ? | New Zealand | Stateside SSLM. 6041 / EMI SSLM 6041LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Joy Records JOYS 188LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Joy Records JOYS 188LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Joy Records JOYS 188LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| ? | US | Bang Records BLPS-219LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Venezuela | Odeon MT 1153LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
38 vinyl pressings of Neil Diamond's Greatest Hits are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1968 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Canada, Germany, New Zealand. One of them is Bang Records BLPS-219, released July 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BLPS-219, RCC 22949, 9011-219, BLPS219) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WS 1004 T Bell Sound MR 6-7-68 △12069 and WS 1005 Bell Sound MR △12069-X. 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.
