Vinyl pressings
by The Bachelors · 1966
The Sound Of Silence was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year, in 7 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.
DRF-37236-T1-2CSide A runout, stamped, variant 1
DRF-37239-T1-1CSide B runout, stamped, variant 1
DRF-37236-T1-1C K 1Side A runout, stamped, variant 2
DRF-37239-T1-2C GC 1Side B runout, stamped, variant 2
DRF-37236-T1-2CRunout (Stamped) Side A
DRF-37239-T1-1CRunout (Stamped) Side B
{DR.37236}Label Side A
{DR.37239}Label Side B
DRF-37236-T1-2CSide A runout, stamped, variant 1
DRF-37239-T1-1CSide B runout, stamped, variant 1
DRF-37236-T1-2C UC 1Side A runout, stamped, variant 2
DRF-37239-T1-2C UN 1Side B runout, stamped, variant 2
DRF-37236-T1-2CRunout (Stamped) Side A
DRF-37239-T1-2CRunout (Stamped) Side B
DR.37236Label Side A upside down in brackets
DR.37239Label Side B upside down in brackets
DRF-37236-T1-1CA-Side Runout
DRF-37239-T1-1CB-Side Runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Australia | Decca Y7290First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1966 | Denmark | Decca F.12351First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Germany | Decca DL 25 245First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Hong Kong | Decca F.12351First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | India | Decca F.12351First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Ireland | Decca F.12351First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | UK | Decca F.12351First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | UK | Decca F.12351First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | UK | Decca F.12351First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | UK | Decca F.12351First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | UK | Decca F.12351First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | Japan | London Records TOP-1336(S)7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of The Sound Of Silence are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1966 and 1968.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in UK, Australia, Denmark, Germany and more. One of them is Decca F.12351.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F.12351, Y7290, DL 25 245) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DRF-37236-T1-2C and DRF-37239-T1-1C. 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.
