Vinyl pressings
by The Jimi Hendrix Experience · 1968
Cross Town Traffic was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1968, 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.
L-5442-1B SSSSS [etched]A Side Runout
L-5425-1A SSS [etched]B Side Runout
(L5442)A Side Label
(L5425)B Side Label
L--5442-1A PRunout side A stamped
L--5425-1A PB Side Runout
(L5442)Label side A
(L5425)Label side B
L--5442-1D TIA side runout
L--5425-1D TIB side runout
(L5442)Label side A
(L5425)Label side B
L-5442-1A SSA Side Runout
L-5425-1B SSB Side Runout
L5442A Side Label
L5425B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Austria | Polydor 59 256First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Canada | Reprise Records 0792First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | France | Barclay 061 038 / Barclay N° 061038First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Germany | Polydor 59256 / Polydor 59 256First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | Mexico | Polydor PO-0938First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | Mexico | Polydor PO 0938First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1968 | Greece | International Polydor Production 277First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Reprise Records 0792First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | US | Reprise Records 0792First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1968 | US | Reprise Records 0792First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | US | Reprise Records 0792First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1969 | Brunei | Polydor 59 2567", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1969 | Germany | Polydor 59256 / Polydor 59 2567", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Italy | Polydor 59 2567", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Japan | Polydor DP-16257", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Barclay 61 361 / Barclay 61.3617", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | France | Barclay 61.361 / Barclay 0613617", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | France | Barclay 061038 / Barclay N° 0610387", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | France | Barclay 61 361 / Barclay 61.361L7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | France | Barclay 61 361L7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | New Zealand | Polydor 592567", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
24 vinyl pressings of Cross Town Traffic are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1968 and 1969.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Greece, Austria, Canada and more. One of them is Reprise Records 0792, released November 18, 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 0792, 277, 59 256, 061 038) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, L-5442-1B SSSSS [etched] and L-5425-1A SSS [etched]. 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.
