Vinyl pressings
by Tony Mottola · 1961
String Band Strum-Along 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.
6 pressings came out in 1961, the album's first year, in 4 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.
RS-828 SDA -1SS M11 XX P126 11Runout side A (variant 1)
RS-828 SDB -1SS M11 XX P126 11Runout side B (variant 1)
RS-828 SDA -1SS || P126Runout side A (variant 2)
RS-828 SDB -1SS | P126Runout side B (variant 2)
RS-828 12 SDA-1M P17 RSI [Block-shaped "S" stamp]Side A runout
RS-828 1 SDB -1M ⇧RSI P17 [Block-shaped "S" stamp]Side B runout
RS-33-828A 1 IM PM RS [Block S]Runout side A
RS-33-828B-IM 1 RS PM [Block S]Runout side B
AZL-2116-1BRunout side A
AZL-2117-1BRunout side B
RS 828 SDon cover
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 | Command RS 828 SDFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | Germany | Command 298 012First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | UK | Command HA-Z 2442 / London Records HA-Z 2442First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Command RS 828 SD / Command RS828SDFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | US | Command RS 828 SD / Command RS828SDFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | US | Command RS 828First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Command RS 828 SD7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Jukebox, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Jukebox, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | US | Command RS 33 828 / ABC Records RS 828-S.D.LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue |
| 1974 | US | Command RS 828 SD / Command RS 33 828LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Grand Award RS 33-828LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Argentina | Grand Award RS 33 828 / RS 828 SDLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Mexico | Peerless LD-676LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of String Band Strum-Along are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1961 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, UK, Canada, Germany. One of them is Command RS 828 SD.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RS 828 SD, RS 828, HA-Z 2442, 298 012) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RS-828 SDA -1SS M11 XX P126 11 and RS-828 SDB -1SS M11 XX P126 11. 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.
