Vinyl pressings
by The Chipmunks · 1958
The Chipmunk Song / Almost Good was first pressed on vinyl in 1958. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1958, 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.
45-LB-912 △25736Runout side A, variant 1
#7 55/68-LB-912 △25735Runout side B, variant 1
55168-LB-912 △25735Runout side A, variant 2
55168-LB-913 △25736Runout side B, variant 2
45..LB..912..D2 I B6Side A run-out, variant 1
45LB 913 1D I A8Side B run-out, variant 1
45_LB_912_D1 I A2Side A run-out, variant 2
45LB 913 1 2 ISide B run-out, variant 2
45-NHB-2769-D3#2 "anvil symbol" LB-912-55168Side A Stamped
45-NHB-2770-D1#2 "anvil symbol" LB-913-55168Side B Stamped
45•NHB•2769•D1 #3 (anvil) LB•912•55168Var 2: Run-out Side A Stamped
45•NHB•2770•D6#3 (anvil) LB•913•55168Var 2: Run-out Side B Stamped
45..LB..912..D2 IRun-out Side A, variant 1
45LB 913 IRun-out Side B, variant 1
45..LB..912..D2 C2 IRun-out Side A, variant 2
45LB 913 1D I A10Run-out Side B, variant 2
45_LB_912_D1 A1 IRun-out Side A,
45LB 913 1D1 I D5Run-out Side B
45-LB-912Side A Label
45-LB-913Side B Label
LB-912Run-out Side A,
LB-913Run-out Side B
45-LB-912Side A Label
45-LB-913Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Canada | London Liberty F-55168First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Canada | London Records F.55168First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | India | London Records 45-HL-U 8762First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1958 | India | London Records HLU.8762 / London American Recordings HLU.8762First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1958 | Ireland | London Records HLU.8672 / London American Recordings HLU.8672First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | New Zealand | London Records NZL.446First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Norway | London Records 45-HL 8762First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | UK | London Records 45-HL-U 8762First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1958 | UK | London Records HLU.8762 / London American Recordings HLU.8762First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1958 | UK | London Records 45-HLU 8762First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | US | Liberty F-55168First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1958 | US | Liberty F-55168First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | US | Liberty F-55168First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | US | Liberty F-55168First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1958 | US | Liberty F-55168First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | London Liberty LI.55168Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| ? | Rhodesia | Decca FM.7-66677", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | London Records 45-HL-U 87627", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
30 vinyl pressings of The Chipmunk Song / Almost Good are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1958 and 1959.
The earliest pressings are from 1958, in US, UK, Canada, India and more. One of them is Liberty F-55168, released November 1958.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F-55168, 45-HL-U 8762, HLU.8762, 45-HLU 8762) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-LB-912 △25736 and #7 55/68-LB-912 △25735. 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.
