Vinyl pressings
by The Doors · 1985
Classics was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 10 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.
STE-60417A-3 ɑ B-20996-A3 SLM △ 9308 1-1Side A - etched - variant 1
STE-60417B-3 ɑ B-20997-B3 SLM △ 9308-X 1-1Side B - etched - variant 1
STE-60417A-3 a B-20996-A3 SLM △ 9308 1-2 0-1 SH-SPSide A - etched - variant 2
STE-60417B-3 a B-20997-B3 SLM △ 9308-X 1-2 0-1Side B - etched - variant 2
STE-60417A-3 Q B-20996-A3 SLMΔ9308 0-1 SM1-2 SH-SPSide 1 Etched
STE-60417B-3 Q B-20997B-3 SLMΔ9308-X 0-1 SH-SPSide 2 Etched
STE-60417A-3 Q B-20996-A3 SLM Δ 9308 1-1Side 1 Etched Variant
STE-60417B-3 Q B-20997-B3 SLM Δ 9308-X 1-1Side 2 Etched Variant
STE-60417A-3 Q B-20996-A3 SLMΔ9308 1-1Side 1 Etched
STE-60417B-3 Q B-20997-B3 SLMΔ9308-X 1-1Side 2 Etched
ST-E-60417-A-ARSide 1 Label
ST-E-60417-B-ARSide 2 Label
850 960417//1*A*1Side A
850 960417//1*B*1Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Elektra 60417-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Canada | Elektra 9604171First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Canada | Elektra E1-60417LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Greece | Elektra 960417-1LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Israel | Elektra E1 60417LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Israel | Elektra BAN 9 60 417-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Mexico | Elektra LWE-5050LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Elektra 60417-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Portugal | Elektra 755 96-0417-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | South Korea | Oasis Record Co. OLW-360First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 60417-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 60417-1First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Elektra E1 60417 / Elektra E1-60417LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 60417-1First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 60417-1LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Europe | Elektra 960 417-1 / Elektra EKT 9LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | Elektra 960 417-1LP, Compilation, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Remastered |
23 vinyl pressings of Classics are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1985 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Spain, Greece, Japan and more. One of them is Elektra 60417-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 60417-1, L 960417-1, 960417-1, P-13126) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STE-60417A-3 ɑ B-20996-A3 SLM △ 9308 1-1 and STE-60417B-3 ɑ B-20997-B3 SLM △ 9308-X 1-1. 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.
