Vinyl pressings
by The Romeros · 1968
Guitar Concertos 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.
4 pressings came out in 1968, 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.
SR-90487A-RFR-2 II MR CSide A etched, A of A5 stamped variant 1
SR-90487B-RFR-1 || MRSide B etched, C of C1 stamped variant 1
T o SR 90487A -CTFR -1 I A5Runout side A variant 1
T o SR 90487B - CTFR -1 I C1Runout side B variant 1
T o SR 90487A -CTFR -1 I A5Runout side A variant 2
T o SR 90487B - CTFR -1 I A3Runout side B variant 2
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 | Canada | Mercury SR90487First yearLP | LP |
| 1968 | US | Mercury SR90487 / Mercury Living Presence SR 90487First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Mercury SR90487 / Mercury Living Presence SR90487First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Mercury SR90487 / Mercury Living Presence SR90487First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | US | Mercury SRI 75054LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Philips 6527 042LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Philips 6527 042LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Philips 6527 042LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Philips 6527 042LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Fontana 6531 024LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Fontana 6531 024LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Mercury SR90487 / Mercury SR 90487LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Guitar Concertos are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1968 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Canada. One of them is Mercury SR90487, released August 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SR90487) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SR-90487A-RFR-2 II MR C and SR-90487B-RFR-1 || MR. 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.
