Vinyl pressings
by The Allman Brothers Band · 1973
Beginnings 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.
21 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 9 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.
ST-C-722721-B AT/DKSide A runout, variant 1
ST-C-722722-A AT/DKSide B runout, variant 1
ST-C-722723-A AT/DKSide C runout, variant 1
ST-C-722724-A AT/DKSide D runout, variant 1
ST-C-722721-B AT/DKRunout, side A, etched
ST-C-722722-A AT/DKRunout, side B, etched
ST-C-722723-A AT/DKRunout, side C, etched
ST-C-722724-A AT/DKRunout, side D, etched
ST-C-722721-B BB -1-11 AT/DK D PRSide A hand etched(BB & D PR very subtle), variant 1
ST-C-722722-A AA-1 AT/DK PR DSide B hand etched(AA & PR D very subtle), variant 1
ST-C-722723-A AA -1-1111 AT/DK D PRSide C hand etched(AA & D PR very subtle), variant 1
ST-C-722724-A AA -1 AT/DK PRSide D hand etched (BB & PR very subtle), variant 1
ST-C-722721-BB-RE-A (MR) △17632 (2) AT/DK PRA-side runout
ST-C-722722-AA √ (MR) △17632-X (3) AT/DK PRB-side runout
ST-C-722723-AA √ (MR) △17633(1) AT/DK PRC-side runout
ST-C-722724-AA √ (MR) △17633-X (2) AT/DK PRD-side runout
ST-C-722721CTHSide A Label
ST-C-722722CTHSide B Label
ST-C-722723CTHSide C Label
ST-C-722724CTHSide D Label
ST-C-722721 VSRPSide A Label
ST-C-722722 VSRPSide B Label
ST-C-722723 VSRPSide C Label
ST-C-722724 VSRPSide D 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 | Australia | Atlantic SD 2-805First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Canada | ATCO Records 2SA-805First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Canada | ATCO Records 2SA-805First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Canada | ATCO Records 2SA-805First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | France | Atlantic ATL 60 070First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | France | Atlantic ATL 60 070 / ATCO Records N° 60 070First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1973 | France | ATCO Records SD 2-805First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | France | Atlantic ATL 60 070 / Atlantic SD 2-805First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 60 046 / Atlantic SD2 - 805LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, All Media, Compilation | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, All Media, Compilation |
| 1973 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 60 070LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 60 046 / Atlantic SD2 - 805First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 60 070LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Album, Reissue, All Media, Compilation | LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Album, Reissue, All Media, Compilation |
| 1973 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 60 070LP, Album, Compilation, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1973 | Japan | Atlantic P-5092~3AFirst yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Japan | Atlantic P-5092-3AFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Capricorn Records 2639 103LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Austria | Capricorn Records 2639 103LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Capricorn Records 2476 112 / Capricorn Records 2639 103LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Polydor CPN 2 0132LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Capricorn Records 2693 103LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capricorn Records 2CX 0132LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | ATCO Records SD 2-805LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | US | Polydor CPN-2-0132 / Polydor 827588-1 Y-1LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | US | Polydor CPN-2-0132LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Yugoslavia | Suzy ATL 60046 / Atlantic 60046LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
57 vinyl pressings of Beginnings are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1973 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is ATCO Records SD 2-805, released March 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 2-805, K 60046, 2SA-805, ATL 60 070) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-C-722721-B AT/DK and ST-C-722722-A AT/DK. 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.
