Vinyl pressings
by Roy Buchanan · 1985
When A Guitar Plays The Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 7 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.
AL-4741-A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK ¢ HUBSide A runout
AL-4741-B HUBSide B runout
AL 4741-ASide A label
AL 4741-BSide B label
AL·4741·A HUBRunout Side A
AL·4741·B HUBRunout Side B
SNTF 940 A PAG
SNTF 940 B PAG
AL 4741 A1④ Qu SA Runout, Etched
AL 4741-B1② Qu SB Runout, Etched
AL 4741-AA Label
AL 4741-BB Label
DM B-3314 A-2/85 S IIRunout side A stamped
DM B-3314 B-1/85 S II (etched) IIRunout side B stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Avan-Guard SVL 504First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Alligator Records AL 4741First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | Sonet SNTF 940 / Alligator Records IRS 941405First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0468First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0468First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | UK | Sonet SNTF 940 / Alligator Records SNTF 940First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK & Europe | Sonet SNTF 940First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Alligator Records AL 4741First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Alligator Records AL 4741First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | Sonet SNTF 940 / Alligator Records SNTF 940LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | South Korea | Seoul Records SGPR-101 / Alligator Records AL-4741LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Italy | Alligator Records AL 4741LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Italy | Alligator Records AL 4741LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2023 | Europe | Alligator Records AL 4741LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2024 | Spain | Alligator Records AL 4741LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of When A Guitar Plays The Blues are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1985 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Alligator Records AL 4741.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 4741, SNTF 940, SVL 504, 28MM 0468) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-4741-A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK ¢ HUB and AL-4741-B HUB. 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.
