Vinyl pressings
by The Hollyridge Strings · 1964
The Beach Boys Song Book was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. 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 1964, the album's first year, in 5 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.
ST1-2156-B2 [I A M in triangle]Side A runout, variant 1
ST2-2156-A1 [I A M in triangle]Side B runout, variant 1
ST1-2156-A1 [I A M in triangle]Side A runout, variant 2
ST2-2156-A1 [I A M in triangle]Side B runout, variant 2
T1-2156-H1Runout side 1
T2-2156-H1Runout side 2
ST-1-2156-A-3 1 ✲Side A runout
ST-2-2156-A-3 1 ✲Side B runout
✲Both Sides Stamped
T1-2156Side 1 Label
T2-2156Side 2 Label
T-1-2156-J-3Side 1 Etching
T1-2156 HRunout, Side A, Stamped
T2-2156 P1Runout, Side B, Stamped
T1-2156Label, Side A
T2-2156Label, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Australia | Capitol Records T 2156First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Canada | Capitol Records ST 2156First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1964 | Germany | Capitol Records STK 83805First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1964 | UK | Capitol Records ST 2156First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1964 | US | Capitol Records T 2156First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Capitol Records ST 2156First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1964 | US | Capitol Records T-2156 / Capitol Records T 2156First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Capitol Records ST 2156 / Capitol Records ST-2156First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | Taiwan | Large World LW-225LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records T-2156LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SM-2156LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SM-2156LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of The Beach Boys Song Book are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1964 and 1966.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Capitol Records ST 2156, released September 1964.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST 2156, T 2156, T-2156, STK 83805) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST1-2156-B2 [I A M in triangle] and ST2-2156-A1 [I A M in triangle]. 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.
