Vinyl pressings
by The Yardbirds · 1977
Great Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1977, 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.
AL 34491-1C S1 B2Side 1 runout, variant 1
BL 34491-1C S1Side 2 runout, variant 1
AL 34491-1D S1Side 1 runout, variant 2
BL 34491-1D S1Side 2 runout, variant 2
AL 34491-1B T1 A7 0Side 1 runout, variant 1
BL 34491-1B T1 0 CTSide 2 runout, variant 1
AL 34491-1B 1T 0 BSide 1 runout, variant 2
BL 34491-1B 2T 0 A4Side 2 runout, variant 2
AL 34491-1D PRunout side A, variant 1
BL 34491-1D PRunout side B, variant 1
AL 34491-1DRunout side A, variant 2
P BL 34491-1ERunout side B, variant 2
AL 34491-1D PSide A Stamped
BL 34491-1D PSide B Stamped
AL 34491Side A Label
BL 34491Side B Label
AL 34491-1C S1Runout A
BL 34491-1C S1 A5Runout B
AL 34491Label A
BL 34491Label B
AL 34491-1D I⋀Runout A
BL 34491-1D ⋀Runout B
AL 34491Label side A
BL 34491Label side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | US | Epic PE 34491First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Epic PE 34491First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Epic PE 34491First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Epic PE 34491First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Epic PE 34491 / Epic 34491First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Epic PE 34491 / Epic 34491First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Epic PE 34491First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Epic PE 34491LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Korea | Life Studio 54 169LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Epic PE 34491LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Great Hits are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 1977 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US. One of them is Epic PE 34491.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PE 34491) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 34491-1C S1 B2 and BL 34491-1C S1. 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.
