Vinyl pressings
by Trini Lopez · 1963
La Bamba was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. 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 1963, 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.
Δ RR-27044-A [curl] Δ 48188 MR 45R- 20,190-A ⓵ (2098)Runout side A
RR-27044-B [curl] Δ 48188-X MR 45R- 20,190-B ⓷ (2099)Runout side B
RR 27.044 ALabel side A
RR 27.044 BLabel side B
1957Side A [stamped]
1956Side B [stamped]
2098Label A
2099Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Australia | Reprise Records R.20,190First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1963 | Brazil | Reprise Records 7R - 17002 / Reprise Records 7R-17.002First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | Greece | Reprise Records Fg 30025First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Netherlands | Reprise Records RR 27.044 / Funckler RR 27.044First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Australia | Reprise Records 04807", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1966 | India | Reprise Records 04807", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1966 | US | Reprise Records 04807", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1966 | US | Reprise Records 04807", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1967 | France | Reprise Records RV. 201387", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | France | Reprise Records RV. 201387", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Japan | Reprise Records JET-1699(S)7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Reprise Records RV. 20.0417", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Netherlands | Reprise Records RR 27.044 / Funckler RR 27.0447", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | US | Reprise Records R.20,1907", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | US | Reprise Records R-20, 1907", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
15 vinyl pressings of La Bamba are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1963 and 1967.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in Netherlands, Australia, Brazil, Greece. One of them is Reprise Records RR 27.044.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RR 27.044, R.20,190, 7R - 17002, Fg 30025) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Δ RR-27044-A [curl] Δ 48188 MR 45R- 20,190-A ⓵ (2098) and RR-27044-B [curl] Δ 48188-X MR 45R- 20,190-B ⓷ (2099). 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.
