Vinyl pressings
by The Lovin' Spoonful · 1976
The Best... Lovin' Spoonful was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. 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 1976, the album's first year, in 2 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.
KSBS-2608A-2-REV-1 FW [apple] GOLSide A etched
KSBS-2608B-2-REV-1 FW [apple] GOLSide B etched
KSBS-2608-C-2 FW [apple] GOLSide C etched
KSBS-2608-D-2 FW [apple] GOLSide D etched
KSBS-2608-2 - RGV-1Runout Side A, etched
KSBS-2608-D-2Runout Side D, etched
KSBS-2608-C-2Runout Side C, etched
KSBS-2608-B-2Runout Side B, etched
KSBS-2608A-2-REV-1 FW [apple] GOLRunout Side A etched
KSBS-2608B-2-REV-1 FW [apple ] GOLRunout Side B etched
KSBS-2608-C-2 FW [apple] GOLRunout Side C etched
KSBS-2608-D-2 FW [apple] GOLRunout Side D etched
T1 KSBS-2608A-2 FWѼ C7Runout Side A
T1 KSBS-2608-2-B-2 Al Brown 3•Λ FW/Ѽ A 3Runout Side B
T1 KSBS-2608-2C FWѼ B3Runout Side C
T1 KSBS-2608-2D-1 FWѼ Λ5Runout Side D
T1 KSBS-2608A-2 FWѼ CRunout Side A
T2 KSBS-2608-B-2 FWѼ BRunout Side B
T1 KSBS-2608-C-2 FWѼ C3Runout Side C
T2 KSBS-2608-D-3 FWѼ A ΛRunout Side D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | Kama Sutra KSBS 2608-2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Kama Sutra KSBS 2608-2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Kama Sutra KSBS 2608-2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Kama Sutra KSBS 2608-2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Kama Sutra KSBS 2608-2First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Kama Sutra KSBS 2608-2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Kama Sutra KSBS 2608-2First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Kama Sutra KSBS 2608-2First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | France | Buddah Records BDA.61 002 / Kama Sutra BDA.61 002LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Germany | Buddah Records 6.28430LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Spain | Buddah Records C7836/7LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Spain | Buddah Records C7836/7LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Yugoslavia | Helidon 6.28430 / Buddah Records 6.28430LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
13 vinyl pressings of The Best... Lovin' Spoonful are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1976 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Canada. One of them is Kama Sutra KSBS 2608-2.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KSBS 2608-2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, KSBS-2608A-2-REV-1 FW [apple] GOL and KSBS-2608B-2-REV-1 FW [apple] GOL. 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.
