Vinyl pressings
by The American Breed · 1967
Bend Me, Shape Me was first pressed on vinyl in 1967. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1967, the album's first year, in 10 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.
A-534 RE 1A-side label
A-535 RE 1B-side label
p(stamped/inverted) A-534-Re-1 URJ(scribed)A side deadwax
p(stamped/inverted) A-535- Re-1(scribed)B side deadwax
A-534-Re-1 MR (circled) URJ △68602Side A Runout, etched
A-535-Re-1 MR (circled) △68602-XSide B Runout, etched
A-534 RE 1Side A Label
A-535 RE 1Side B Label
A-534-Re-1 IScribed in runout side A
A-535-Re-1 IScribed in runout side B
A-534Label A
A-535Label B
A-534-RE-1Side A Label
A-535-RE-1Side B Label
A-534-Re-1 URJ ISide A runout
A-535-Re-1 A ISide B runout
A-534Side A label
A-535Side B label
A-534-Re-1 Nashville Matrix 5Scribed in runout side A, variant 1
A-535-Re-1 Nashville Matrix 5Scribed in runout side B, variant 1
A-534-RE1 Nashville Matrix 5Scribed in runout side A, variant 2
A-535-RE1 Nashville Matrix 5Scribed in runout side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Canada | Acta Records ACTA 811XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Denmark | Stateside KSS 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Denmark | Stateside KSS 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Greece | Dot Records 45-60042First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | India | Dot Records 45-811First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Netherlands | Dot Records D 119First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Norway | Stateside KSS 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Rhodesia | Dot Records D 463First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Singapore | Stateside SS 2078First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1967 | South Africa | Dot Records D 463First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | US | Acta Records 45-811First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1967 | US | Acta Records 45-811First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1967 | US | Acta Records 45-811First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | US | Acta Records 45-811First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1967 | US | Acta Records 45-811 / Dunwich 45-811First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
36 vinyl pressings of Bend Me, Shape Me are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1967 and 1968.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in US, Canada, Denmark, Greece and more. One of them is Acta Records 45-811.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-811, ACTA 811X, KSS 6, 45-60042) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A-534 RE 1 and A-535 RE 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.
