Vinyl pressings
by The Ames Brothers · 1960
Sing The Best Of The Bands was first pressed on vinyl in 1960. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1960, the album's first year, in 3 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.
L2PP3548-10S I ΛIside A runout stamped
L2PP3549-10S I ΛIside B runout stamped
L2PP3548-1S ɅI I(var. 1) side A runout stamped
L2PP3549-1S I AI(var. 1) side B runout stamped
(L2PP-3548)Label Side A
L2 PP3548-12S Hside A
L2 PY3550-6S HRunout Side A
L2 PY3551-3S HRunout Side B
(L2PY-3550)Label Side A
(L2PY-3551)Label Side B
LP-Ste-L2PY-3550X B MANUFACTURED IN GERMANYside A runout stamped
LP-Ste-L2PY-3551X C MANUFACTURED IN GERMANYside B runout stamped
L 2 PY-3550side A label
L 2 PY-3551side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Canada | RCA Victor LPM-2273First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | Canada | RCA Victor LSP-2273 / RCA Victor LSP 2273First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1960 | Canada | RCA Victor LPM-2273First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | US | RCA Victor LSP-2273First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1960 | Germany | RCA LSP-2273First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1960 | US | RCA Victor LPM-2273First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | US | RCA Victor LPM-2273First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | US | RCA Victor LPM-2273First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Japan | RCA RJL-2661LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Victor SLS-5057LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | RCA Victor LSP-2273LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Sing The Best Of The Bands are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1960 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in US, Germany, Canada. One of them is RCA Victor LPM-2273, released October 1960.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LPM-2273, LSP-2273) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, L2PP3548-10S I ΛI and L2PP3549-10S I ΛI. 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.
