Vinyl pressings
by The Kinks · 1971
Golden Hour Of The Kinks 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 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.
GH 501 A1 C̶H̶S̶-̶2̶-̶A̶-̶1̶ RCA ASRunout side A, variant 1
GH 501 B1 C̶H̶S̶-̶2̶-̶B̶-̶1̶ RCA APRunout side B, variant 1
GH 501 A1 C̶H̶S̶-̶2̶-̶A̶-̶1̶ RCA CKRunout side A, variant 2
GH 501 B1 C̶H̶S̶-̶2̶-̶B̶-̶1̶ RCA CERunout side B, variant 2
GH 501 A-2◇G (6 C M)Runout, side A - variant 1
GH 501 B-2◇G (G A V)Runout side B - variant 1
GH 501 A-2△GRunout side A [etched] - variant 2
GH 501 B-2△GRunout side B [etched] - variant 2
GH 501 A-2△GRunout side A, variant 1
GH 501 B-2△GRunout side B, variant 1
GH 501 A-2△G 6 ATRunout side A, variant 2
GH 501 B-2△G 6 JGRunout side B, variant 2
GH 501 A-2∆6Side 1
GH 501 B-2∆6Side 2
GH501 A1 (GHS-2-A-1RCA scratched out)Side A, etched variant 1
GH501 B1 (GHS-2-B-1RCA scratched out)Side B, etched variant 1
GH 501 A1 G̶H̶S̶-̶2̶-̶A̶-̶1̶R̶C̶A̶ 3Side A, etched variant 2
GH 501-B1 G̶H̶S̶-̶2̶-̶B̶-̶1̶R̶C̶A̶ 3Side B, etched variant 2
xx 35068Runout Groove Side A
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 | Austria | Golden Hour GH 501First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | Canada | Golden Hour GH 501First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | Israel | Golden Hour GH 501First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | Japan | Pye Records UPS-529-YFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | Japan | Pye Records UPS-529-YFirst yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | UK | Golden Hour GH 501First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Golden Hour GH 501First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1971 | UK | Golden Hour GH 501First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Golden Hour 86 288 XAT / Golden Hour GH 501LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Germany | Golden Hour 86 288 XAT / Golden Hour GH 501LP, Compilation, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1972 | Germany | Golden Hour 86 288 XAT / Golden Hour GH 501LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Golden Hour GH 501 / Golden Hour 112LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | South Africa | Pye International YEL 9LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Yugoslavia | Golden Hour GH 501 / Studio B GH 501LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Greece | PYE Records GH 501LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Portugal | PRT GH 501 / Golden Hour GH 501LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Golden Hour GH 501LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Australia | Golden Hour GH 501 / Golden Hour GH-501LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Australia | Golden Hour GH 501LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Australia | Golden Hour GH 501LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Greece | Pye Records GH 501LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | South Africa | Golden Hour GH 501LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | South Africa | Golden Hour GHH 602LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | South Africa | Sounds Superb LSS 500 / Golden Hour GHH (C) 602LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | UK | Golden Hour GH 501LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Golden Hour GH 501LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Yugoslavia | Golden Hour GH 501 / Studio B GH 501LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
30 vinyl pressings of Golden Hour Of The Kinks are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1971 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, Austria, Canada, Israel and more. One of them is Golden Hour GH 501.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GH 501, UPS-529-Y) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GH 501 A1 C̶H̶S̶-̶2̶-̶A̶-̶1̶ RCA AS and GH 501 B1 C̶H̶S̶-̶2̶-̶B̶-̶1̶ RCA AP. 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.
