Vinyl pressings
by The Beach Boys · 1966
Best Of The Beach Boys 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.
9 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year. 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.
T1 20856-1 PDRunout side A, stamped variant 1
T2 20856-1 RHRunout side B, stamped variant 1
T1 20856-1 LG 3Runout side A, stamped variant 2
T2 20856-1 NM 1Runout side B, stamped variant 2
T1 20856-2 GO IRunout side A, stamped
T2 20856-1 GO A C1Runout side B, stamped
T1 20856-2 A 1Side A runout
T2 20856-1 GMM 2Side B runout
T1-20856Side A label
T2-20856Side B label
T1 20856-1 GGG 1Runout side A, stamped
T2 20856-1 GDL 1Runout side B, stamped
T1-20856Side A label
T1-20857Side B label
T1 20856-1 PDRunout side A, stamped variant 1
T2 20856-1 RHRunout side B, stamped variant 1
T1 20856-1 LG 3Runout side A, stamped variant 2
T2 20856-1 NM 1Runout side B, stamped variant 2
ST1 20856-2 MRunout, side A, variant 1
ST2 20856-2 GRunout, side B, variant 1
ST1 20856-2 RGRunout, side A, variant 2
ST2 20856-2 RARunout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | UK | Capitol Records ST 20856First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1966 | UK | Capitol Records T 20856First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | UK | Capitol Records ST 20856First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1966 | UK | Capitol Records T 20856First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | UK | Capitol Records T 20856First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | UK | Capitol Records T 20856First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | UK | Capitol Records T 20856 / Capitol Records T20856First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | UK | Capitol Records T 20856First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | UK | Capitol Records T 20856First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Netherlands | Capitol Records ST 20856LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1967 | New Zealand | Capitol Records ST 2545LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1967 | Spain | Capitol Records T20932LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1967 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton LPCA-Y-291 / Capitol Records LPCA-Y-291LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | UK | Capitol Records ST 20856LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | India | Capitol Records T-20856LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Singapore | Capitol Records ST 20856LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Singapore | Capitol Records ST 20856LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Capitol Records ST 20856LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Capitol Records ST 20856LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Capitol Records ST 20856LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Capitol Records ST 20856LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Capitol Records ST 20856LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Capitol Records ST 20856LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Capitol Records T 20856LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Capitol Records ST 20856LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Capitol Records T 20856LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Capitol Records ST 20856LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Capitol Records T 20856 / Capitol Records T 2085LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Capitol Records T 20856LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
29 vinyl pressings of Best Of The Beach Boys are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1966 and 1969.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in UK. One of them is Capitol Records T 20856, released November 1966.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T 20856, ST 20856) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 20856-1 PD and T2 20856-1 RH. 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.
