Vinyl pressings
by The Fendermen · 1960
Mule Skinner Blues / Torture was first pressed on vinyl in 1960. 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 1960, the album's first year, in 8 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.
KB1774A-3A-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
KB1774B-3B-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
KB1774A-2A-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
KB1774B-3B-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
KB-1774-ALabel A
KB-1774-BLabel B
KB1774A-6 △ 35339Dead wax A
KB1774B-5 △ 35339-xDead wax B
KB1774A-4Runout side A, variant 1
KB1774B-3Runout side B, variant 1
KB1774 A-2Runout side A, variant 2
KB1774BRunout side B, variant 2
KB1774A-6 △35339Runout A
KB1774B-5 △35339-XRunout B
KB-1774-ALabel A
KB-1774-BLabel B
KB1774A-4Runout Side A etched
KB1774B-4Runout Side B etched
KB 1774 AA-Side Label
KB 1774 BB-Side Label
KB 1774 A-6 35339A-Side Label
KB 1774 B-5 35339-XB-Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Australia | Top Rank International TRS-1558First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Australia | Top Rank International TRS-1558First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Canada | Apex 9-76683First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1960 | Canada | Apex 76683First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1960 | Italy | Top Rank International R. 2200 / Top Rank International R 2200First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1960 | Italy | Top Rank International R. 2200First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1960 | Italy | Top Rank International R. 2200First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1960 | Italy | Top Rank International R. 2200First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1960 | Japan | Top Rank International RANK-1064First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | New Zealand | Top Rank International 45JAR-320First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Norway | Top Rank International JAR 395First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | UK | Top Rank International JAR-395First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | UK | Top Rank International JAR 395First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | UK | Top Rank International JAR-395First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | UK | Top Rank International JAR 395First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | Top Rank International R 22007", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | South Africa | Rave R 128Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Oldies 45 OL 537", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | ERIC Records 1217", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene |
| ? | US | ERA Records HTE-50417", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | ERIC Records 1217", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | ERA Records HTE-50417", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
31 vinyl pressings of Mule Skinner Blues / Torture are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1960 and 1967.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Soma 1137.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1137, JAR-395, JAR 395, TRS-1558) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, KB1774A-3 and KB1774B-3. 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.
