Vinyl pressings
by The Beach Boys · 1968
The Best Of The Beach Boys, Vol. 3 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.
10 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 6 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.
DKAO1-2945-A1 IAMSide A runout, variant 1
DKAO-2-2945-B2 IAMSide B runout, variant 1
DKAO-1-2945-B2 5 IAMSide A runout, variant 2
DKAO-2-2945-A1 IAMSide B runout, variant 2
DKAO 1 2945-W2 #2 OSide A variant, all etched
DKAO 2 2945-X3 #1 OSide B variant, all etched
DKAO 1 2945-X3 #3 OSide A variant 2, all etched
DKAO 2 2945-W2 #2 OSide B variant 2, all etched
0 DKAO 1 2945-X3 #1Etched side A
0 DKAO 2 2945-X3 #1Etched side B
DKAO 1 2945-X3 #1 OEtched side A
DKAO 2 2945 W22 OEtched side B
DKAO 1 2945-1Side A - Stamped
DKAO 2 2945-1Side B - Stamped
DKAO 1-2945Label Side A
DKAO 2-2945Label Side B
DKAO 1 2945-1Side A - Stamped
DKAO 2 2945-1Side B - Stamped
DKAO 1-2945Label Side A
DKAO 2-2945Label Side 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 | Germany | Capitol Records SMK 1021First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | Germany | Capitol Records SMK 1021First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | Netherlands | Capitol Records DKAO 2945 / Capitol Records SKAO 2945First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Capitol Records ST 2945First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Capitol Records ST 21142 / EMI ST 21442First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | South Africa | Capitol Records ST 2945First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records DKAO 2945 / Capitol Records DKAO-2945First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records DKAO 2945 / Capitol Records DKAO-2945First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records DKAO-2945First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records DKAO-2945First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1969 | Germany | Capitol Records SMK 1021LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Capitol Records DKAO 2945 / Starline DKAO-2945LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records DKAO 2945 / Capitol Records DKAO-2945LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Denmark | Capitol Records 6C 054 80059LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Denmark | Capitol Records 6E 054 80059LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Capitol Records 1 C048-80 059 / Crystal 048 CRY 80 059LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records 1 C048-80 059LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records 1C048-80059LP, Compilation, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records 1 C048-80 059 / Capitol Records 1 C 048-80 059LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records 1 C048-80 059 / Crystal 048 CRY 80 059LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records 1 C048-80 059 / Crystal 048 CRY 80 059LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records SMK 1021LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records 1 C048-80059 LLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Crystal 048 CRY 80 059 / Capitol Records 1 C048-80 059LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| ? | Germany | Crystal 048 CRY 80 059 / Capitol Records 1 C 048-80 059LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records SMK 1021LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Netherlands | Capitol Records 5C054.80059LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
29 vinyl pressings of The Best Of The Beach Boys, Vol. 3 are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1968 and 1969.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand and more. One of them is Capitol Records DKAO 2945.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DKAO 2945, DKAO-2945, SMK 1021, ST 2945) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DKAO1-2945-A1 IAM and DKAO-2-2945-B2 IAM. 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.
