Vinyl pressings
by Sonny Boy Williamson · 1976
Sonny Boy Williamson was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1976, 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.
2ACMB-20020-NOSide A, Matrix
2ACMB-20020-NO-1-1-1Side A Runout, Hand Etched
2ACMB-20021-NOSide B, Matrix
2ACMB-20021-NO-2-1-1Side B Runout, Hand Etched
2-ACMB-20020-NO TR(encircled) CR 8176 MR(encircled) Δ 21221 (1)Runout Side A, etched
2-ACMB-20021-NO TR(encircled) CR 8176 MR(encircled) Δ 21221-X (1)Runout Side B, etched
2-ACMB-20022-NO TR(encircled) CR 8176 MR(encircled) Δ 21222 (1)Runout Side C, etched
2-ACMB-20023-NO TR(encircled) CR 8176 MR(encircled) Δ 21222-X (1)Runout Side D, etched
2 ACMB-2002020-NO TR CR 8/76Runout A
2 ACMB-2002021-NO TR CR 8/76Runout B
2ACMB-2002022-NO TR CR 8/76Runout C
2ACMB-2002023-NO TR CR 8/76Runout D
BLS 5548 - ASide 1
BLS 5548 - BSide 2
BLS 5548 - CSide 3
BLS 5548 - DSide 4
CYM-49Side A, stamped
CYM-50Side B, stamped
CYM-51Side C, stamped
CYM-52Side D, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Germany | Bellaphon BLS 5548First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | Chess BT 5115-6First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Japan | Chess BT-5115~6First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, White Label, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Compilation, Promo, White Label, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1976 | Japan | Chess BT 5115-6First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Compilation, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Chess 6641 542First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Chess 6641 542First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Chess 2ACMB-206First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Chess 2ACMB-206First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Chess 2ACMB-206First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Chess 2ACMB-206First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | France | Chess 427004LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1982 | Canada | Chess ACMB 206/2LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1982 | Canada | Chess 2ACMB-206/2LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1986 | Finland | Chess DLP-201LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Chess 427004LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of Sonny Boy Williamson are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1976 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Germany, Japan, Netherlands. One of them is Chess 2ACMB-206.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2ACMB-206, BLS 5548, BT 5115-6, 6641 542) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2ACMB-20020-NO and 2ACMB-20020-NO-1-1-1. 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.
