Vinyl pressings
by The Merrymen · 1969
Big Bamboo was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1969, 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.
DU-20983/1runout grooves a-side [variant 1]
DU-20984/1runout grooves b-side [variant 1]
DU-20983/4Arunout grooves a-side [variant 2]
DU-20984/6runout grooves b-side [variant 2]
DU-20983/3ASide A stamped
DU-20984/3ASide B stamped
DU-20983/2runout grooves a-side
DU-20984/2runout grooves b-side
DU-20983/2runout grooves a-side
DU-20984/2runout grooves b-side
DU 20983Label Side A
DU 20984Label Side B
DU-20983A side label
DU-20984B side label
DU 20983Side A Stamped
DU 20984Side B Stamped
DU-20983/4 A BSide B Label
DU-20984/7
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Belgium | Omega 35.896First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Belgium | Omega 35.896First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1969 | Belgium | Omega 35.896First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Germany | Metronome M 25.149First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Omega 35.896First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Omega 35.896First year7", Single, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Omega 35.896First year7", Single, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Omega 35.896First year7", Single, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Spain | Columbia MO 698First year7", Single, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Spain | Columbia MO 698First year7", Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1969 | Sweden | Metronome J 27.033First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | Sweden | Metronome J 27.033First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Belgium | Omega 35.8967", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Netherlands | Omega 35.8967", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
14 vinyl pressings of Big Bamboo are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, Germany and more. One of them is Omega 35.896.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 35.896, J 27.033, M 25.149, MO 698) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DU-20983/1 and DU-20984/1. 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.
