Vinyl pressings
by The Guess Who · 1971
Sour Suite was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 4 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.
APKS-5983 Manufactured in Germany SRunout side A, stamped [etched "S"]
APKS-4945 Manufactured in Germany SRunout side B, stamped [etched "S"]
APKS-5983Label side A
APKS-4945Label side B
APKS-5983 Manufactured in Germany SRunout side A, stamped [etched "S"]
APKS-4945 Manufactured in Germany SRunout side B, stamped [etched "S"]
APKS-5983Label side A
APKS-4945Label side B
APKS-5983-1 S ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K I B1A runout
APKS-4945-1 S ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K I Ʌ3B runout
APKS-5983A label
APKS-4945A 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | RCA Victor 101994First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-0578 / RCA 74-0578First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-0578 / RCA 74-0578First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | RCA Victor 74-0578First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | Canada | Nimbus 74-0578First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | RCA Victor 74-0578First year7" | 7" |
| 1971 | US | RCA Victor 74-0578First year7" | 7" |
| 1971 | US | RCA Victor 74-0578First year7" | 7" |
| 1972 | Japan | RCA SS-21497", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Mexico | RCA Victor 76-35447", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Sour Suite are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1971 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in Germany, US, Canada, Australia. One of them is RCA Victor 74-0578.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 74-0578, 101994) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, APKS-5983 Manufactured in Germany S and APKS-4945 Manufactured in Germany S. 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.
