Vinyl pressings
by Tom & Jerry · 1961
Guitar's Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. 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 1961, the album's first year, in 3 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 60626-A M 111111Runout Side 1, Stamped [Last 4 1s Etched]
SR 60626-B-MS2 11-11111111111111111111Runout Side 2, Stamped [All 1s Etched]
SR-60626-ASide A Label
SR-60626-BSide B Label
MGC 20626 A MK2Side A runout, variant 1
MGC 20626 B MS2Side B runout, variant 1
T T MGC 20626A MS2 III-IIIIIISide A runout, variant 2
MGC 20626B MS2 III-oIISide B runout, variant 2
SR 60626-A M1 T C IIIIIIIIIIIIISide A runout
SR 60626-B-MS1 T 3D I\IIIIIIII/IISide B runout
o MG 20626A M1 1 P A1Side A runout
MGC 20626B MS2 P III- 3E IIII 2Side B runout
MG 20626A MS1Side A Label
MG 20626B MS1Side B Label
o SR 60626-A-M1 1 PSide A runout
SR 60626-B-MS2 P IIIII 12Side B runout
SR-60626-ASide A label
SR-60626-BSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Canada | Mercury MG 20626First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | Canada | Mercury MG 20626First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | Canada | Mercury MG 20626First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | Canada | Mercury MG 20626 / Mercury MG-C 20626First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | UK | Mercury MMC 14084First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1961 | US | Mercury SR 60626 / Mercury 60626First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | US | Mercury MG 20626 / Mercury MG-20626First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Mercury SR 60626 / Mercury SR-60626First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | US | Mercury MG 20626 / Mercury MG-20626First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Mercury MG 20626 / Mercury MG-20626First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Mercury SR 60626 / Mercury 60626First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | US | Mercury SR 60626 / Mercury SR-60626First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Mercury SR 60626 / Mercury SR-60626LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Mercury SR 60626 / Mercury SR-60626LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Mercury SR-C 60626 / Mercury SR-C60626LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Mercury MG 20626LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Mercury MG 20626LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Mercury SR 60626 / Mercury SR-60626LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
18 vinyl pressings of Guitar's Greatest Hits are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Mercury SR 60626.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SR 60626, MG 20626, MMC 14084) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SR 60626-A M 111111 and SR 60626-B-MS2 11-11111111111111111111. 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.
