Vinyl pressings
by The American Breed · 1968
Bend Me, Shape Me was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. 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 1968, the album's first year, in 14 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.
LPM 5̶6̶5̶9̶3̶-56337 MR Δ11412 URJA-Side Runout Etching
LPM 5̶6̶5̶9̶4̶-56338 MR Δ11412-XB-Side Runout Etching
LPM 56,637A-Side Label
LPM 56,638B-Side Label
LS̶P̶ PS-76593-1/ LPS 76 637 1 (MR) A2 △11423 URJRunout A
LPS-7̶6̶5̶9̶4̶ 76638 (MR) △11423-XRunout B
LPS 76,637Label A
LPS 76,638Label B
LPS̶P̶S-76593-1/ LPS 76637 I C1 URJ IRunout A, variant 1
LPS̶P̶S-76594-1 LPS 76638 I B2 IRunout B, variant 1
LPS̶P̶S-76593-1/ LPS 76637 I URJ I I B5Runout A, variant 2
LPS̶P̶S-76594-1 LPS 76638 1 IRunout B. variant 2
LPD 502-A1 1 RSide A runout stamped
LPD 502-B1 1 GSide B runout stamped
LPD.502ASide A label
LPD.502BSide B label
SLPD 502-A1Side A
SLPD 502-B1Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Argentina | Dot Records 12.739First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Australia | Acta Records A-38003First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Brazil | RGE XRLP-6.202 / Acta Records XRLP-6.202First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Canada | Acta Records A-38003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Chile | Dot Records A-0001First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Germany | Columbia SMC 74 401First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Greece | Dot Records SDLG 38003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Italy | Dot Records SLPD 101First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Netherlands | Dot Records DOLP-025-SFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Dot Records SZL 932,798First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Peru | Dot Records DLP 38003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | South Africa | Dot Records DLP 4500First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | Dot Records LPD 502First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | UK | Dot Records SLPD 502First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | Acta Records SLPD502LP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Calendar Records SR66-9747LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
20 vinyl pressings of Bend Me, Shape Me are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Acta Records A-8003.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use A-8003, A-38003, LPD 502, SLPD 502) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LPM 5̶6̶5̶9̶3̶-56337 MR Δ11412 URJ and LPM 5̶6̶5̶9̶4̶-56338 MR Δ11412-X. 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.
