Vinyl pressings
by Stanley Turrentine · 1973
Don't Mess With Mister T. was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 6 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.
RVG SQ.87688 A-4 / VAN GELDERSide A runout, variant 1
RVG SQ.87688 B-2 / VAN GELDERSide B runout, variant 1
RGV SQ.87688.A-1 VAN GELDERSide A runout, variant 2
RVG SQ.87688.B-3 VAN GELDERSide B runout, variant 2
[upsidedown T] RVG SQ·87688·A-1Runout, etched, side A
[upsidedown T] RVG SQ·87688·B-1Runout, etched, side B
VAN GELDERRunout, stamped, sides A & B
RVG SQ 87688 ALabel, side A
RVG SQ.87688 A-4 / VAN GELDERSide A
RVG SQ.87688 B-2 / VAN GELDERSide B
RGV SQ.87688.A-1(Variant 1) SIde A Runout, etched; [VAN GELDER], stamped
RVG SQ.87688.B-3(Variant 1) Side A Runout, etched; [VAN GELDER], stamped
RVG SQ·87688·A-2Runout, etched, side A
RVG SQ·87688·B-4Runout, etched, side B
VAN GELDERRunout, stamped, sides A & B
RVG SQ 87688 ALabel, side A
RVG SQ.87688.A.3. VAN GELDER [stamped]Side A runout
RVG SQ.87688.B-2. VAN GELDER [stamped]Side B runout
RVG SQ 87688 ASide A label
RVG SQ 87688 BSide B label
RVG SQ.87688.A.3. VAN GELDER SSide A runout
RVG SQ.87688.B-3. VAN GELDER SSide B runout
RVG SQ 87688 ASide A label
RVG SQ 87688 BSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Brazil | CTI Records OW-580 / One Way OW-580First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | CTI Records CTI 6030First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | CTI Records CTI 6030 / CTI Records CT SQ 6030First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1973 | Germany | CTI Records CTI 6030First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | CTI Records CTI 6030 / King Records SR 3349First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | CTI Records CTL 19First yearLP, Stereo, Album | LP, Stereo, Album |
| 1973 | US | CTI Records CTI 6030First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | CTI Records CTSQ 6030First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1973 | US | CTI Records CTI 6030First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | CTI Records CTI 6030First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | CTI Records CTI 6030 / CTI Records CT SQ 6030First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1973 | US | CTI Records CTI 6030First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | CTI Records CTI 6030First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | CTI Records CTSQ 6030First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1973 | US | CTI Records CTI 6030 / CTI Records CT SQ 6030First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | CTI Records LAX 3282LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | CTI Records CTI 6030LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
30 vinyl pressings of Don't Mess With Mister T. are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1973 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is CTI Records CTI 6030.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CTI 6030, CTSQ 6030, CTL 19, OW-580) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RVG SQ.87688 A-4 / VAN GELDER and RVG SQ.87688 B-2 / VAN GELDER. 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.
