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Sound Of The Sitar by Ravi Shankar, album cover

Vinyl pressings

Sound Of The Sitar

by Ravi Shankar · 1966

23 pressings7 countriesIndian ClassicalHindustaniFolkWorld

Sound Of The Sitar 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.

How to spot a first pressing of Sound Of The Sitar

9 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.

US

January 1966
Label and catalog number
World Pacific Records WPS-21434
Format
LP, Album, Stereo · Rockaway Pressing
Runout / matrix

WPS-21434-A-2 B1 RSide A runout, variant 1

WPS-21434-B-2 A3 RSide B runout, variant 1

WPS-21434 A-2 C1 RSide A runout, variant 2

WPS-21434-B-2 A1 RSide B runout, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

US

January 1966
Label and catalog number
World Pacific Records WP-1434
Format
LP, Album, Mono
Runout / matrix

WP-1434-1Runout, side A

WP-1434-2Runout, side B

Full details of this pressing

US

January 1966
Label and catalog number
World Pacific Records WPS-21434World Pacific Records WS-21434
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Runout / matrix

WPS-21434-1-SIDE 1 1Side 1, stamped

WPS-21434-1-SIDE 2 1Side 2, stamped

Full details of this pressing

US

January 1966
Label and catalog number
World Pacific Records WPS-21434
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Runout / matrix

wps-21434-1Runout Side A Etched

wps-21434-2Runout Side B Etched

Full details of this pressing

US

January 1966
Label and catalog number
World Pacific Records WPS-21434
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Runout / matrix

WPS-21434-1Side 1

WPS-21434-2Side 2

Full details of this pressing

US

January 1966
Label and catalog number
World Pacific Records WP-1434World Pacific Records WP 1434
Format
LP, Album, Mono · Rockaway Pressing
Runout / matrix

WP-1434-A-1 A1 RA-Side Runout Etching

WP-1434-B-1 A1 RB-Side Runout Etching

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 23 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1960s14 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1966UKFontana TL.5357 / Fontana 688 026 ZLFirst yearLP, Mono · MonoLP, Mono · Mono
1966USWorld Pacific Records WPS-21434LP, Album, Repress, StereoLP, Album, Repress, Stereo
1966USWorld Pacific Records WPS-21434First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1966USWorld Pacific Records WP-1434First yearLP, Album, Mono · MonoLP, Album, Mono · Mono
1966USWorld Pacific Records 1434 / World Pacific Records WP 1434First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, MonoLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono
1966USWorld Pacific Records WPS-21434 / World Pacific Records WS-21434First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1966USWorld Pacific Records WPS-21434First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1966USWorld Pacific Records WPS-21434First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1966USWorld Pacific Records WP-1434 / World Pacific Records WP 1434First yearLP, Album, Mono · MonoLP, Album, Mono · Mono
1966USWorld Pacific Records WPS-21434 / World Pacific Records WS-21434First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1967AustraliaFestival Records SFL-932040LPLP
1967New ZealandFestival Records SFL-932040LP, StereoLP, Stereo
1967New ZealandFestival Records FL-32040LP, Mono · MonoLP, Mono · Mono
1968FranceFontana 688 026 TLLP, AlbumLP, Album
1970s1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1973AustraliaUnited Artists Records L-34958 / United Artists Records L-34,958LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
Year unknown8 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?AustraliaUnited Artists Records L 34958LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?CanadaWorld Pacific Records WPS-21434LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?CanadaWorld Pacific Records WP 1434LP, Album, Mono · MonoLP, Album, Mono · Mono
?IndiaWorld Pacific Records IWP.01LP, Mono · MonoLP, Mono · Mono
?UKLiberty LBS 83080ELP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?UKLiberty LBL 83080ELP, Reissue, Mono · MonoLP, Reissue, Mono · Mono
?UKLiberty LBS 83080LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?UKLiberty LBS 83080ELP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo

Tracklist

  1. Raga Malkauns
  2. B1Tala Sawari (Tabla Solo)7:20
  3. B2Pahari Dhun12:30

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Sound Of The Sitar are there?

23 vinyl pressings of Sound Of The Sitar are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1966 and 1973.

When was Sound Of The Sitar first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, UK. One of them is World Pacific Records WPS-21434, released January 1966.

How do I tell if my copy of Sound Of The Sitar is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WPS-21434, WP-1434, 1434, TL.5357) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WPS-21434-A-2 B1 R and WPS-21434-B-2 A3 R. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Sound Of The Sitar on vinyl worth?

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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