Vinyl pressings
by The Standells · 1965
Dirty Water was first pressed on vinyl in 1965. 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 1965, the album's first year. 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.
45-60230-P1 [IAM in triangle]Side A runout, variant 1
45-60231-P1 [IAM in triangle]Side B runout, variant 1
45-60230-P1 #2 [IAM in triangle]Side A runout, variant 2
45-60231-P1 #4 [IAM in triangle]Side B runout, variant 2
45-60230-Side A Runout
45-60231-Side B Runout
45-60230Side A Label
45-60231Side B Label
45-60230-1 R-305 ⓍScrawled in runout, Side A
45-60231-1Scrawled in runout, Side B
45-60230 (starburst, stamped)(Side A variant 1)
45-60231-1 (starburst, stamped)(Side B variant 1)
45-60230Side A Label
45-60231Side B Label
45-60230-1 R-305 ⓍSide A Runout
45-60231-1Side B Runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | US | Tower 185First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1965 | US | Tower 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Tower 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | US | Tower 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Tower 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | US | Tower 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | US | Tower 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Tower 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-16537", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Canada | Sparton P 14537", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Canada | Sparton P 14537", Single | 7", Single |
| 1966 | Canada | Sparton P 14537", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Germany | Capitol Records K 23 247 / Capitol Records F-1857", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1966 | India | Capitol Records 45-CLE. 67", Single | 7", Single |
| 1966 | Italy | Capitol Records TOW 1857", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Uruguay | Capitol Records 33-34757", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
20 vinyl pressings of Dirty Water are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1965 and 1969.
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in US. One of them is Tower 185, released November 1965.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 185) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-60230-P1 [IAM in triangle] and 45-60231-P1 [IAM in triangle]. 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.
