Vinyl pressings
by Walter Carlos · 1968
Switched-On Bach was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 12 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.
XSM137961-2A 2 3Side A runout, var 1
o XXSM137962-2C 1 2Side B runout, var 1
o XXSM137961-2B | BvSide A runout, var 2
o XXSM137962-2C 1 2 /\3Side B runout, var 2
o XSM137961-2D T D6Side 1 runout
o XXSM137962-2F T D7Side 2 runout
XSM 137961Side 1 label
XSM 137962Side 2 label
0 XXSM137961 2AD 1Variant 1, side A
P X 0 XXSM137962 2AB S C 6Variant 1, side B
XSM137961-2EVariant 2, side A
XXSM137962-2HVariant 2, side B
XSM137961-2D T D 8Side A runout
o XXSM137962-2F T D 15Side B runout
XSM 137961Side A label
XSM 137962Side B label
30 XSM137961-2D TVariant 1: Side A Runout etched "XSM137961-2D" stamped
0 XXSM137962-2AA 1 T A 1Variant 1: Side B Runout etched "0 XXSM137962-2AA" stamped
XSM137961-2D T 12Variant 2: Side A Runout etched "XSM137961-2D" stamped
0 XXSM137962-2F T A21Variant 2: Side B Runout etched "0 XXSM137962-2F" stamped
XSM137961-2E P C 2Side A Runout, variant 1
XXSM137962-2G P C 3Side B Runout, variant 1
XXSM137961-2AA P F 1Side A Runout, variant 2
XXSM137962-2J P J 1Side B Runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Argentina | Columbia Masterworks 5492First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Argentina | CBS 5492First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Argentina | CBS 5492First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Australia | CBS SBR - 235297 / CBS Masterworks SBR 235297First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Australia | CBS SBR - 235297First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks MS 7194First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks MS 7194First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks MS 7194First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Colombia | CBS MLS 8112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | France | CBS S 63501 / CBS S 63.501First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Israel | Columbia Masterworks MS 7194First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Israel | Columbia Masterworks MS 7194First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Mexico | CBS CLS-5291First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Peru | CBS MS 7194First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Singapore & Malaysia | CBS Masterworks MS 7194First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Germany | CBS H 116/6 / Deutscher Schallplattenclub H 116/6LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Germany | CBS H 116/6 / CBS 28 116/2LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1970 | Italy | CBS S 63501 / CBS Sugar S 63501LP | LP |
| 1970 | Spain | CBS S-63501 / CBS S 63501LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 7194LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 7194LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 7194LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1971 | Brazil | CBS Masterworks 160160LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | CBS SBR 475198LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1972 | New Zealand | CBS SBR 475198LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 7194LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1972 | Venezuela | CBS CS 97.032LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1972 | Venezuela | CBS CS-97.032LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Columbia MQ 31018LP, Album, Misprint, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Misprint, Quadraphonic |
| 1972 | US | Columbia MQ 31018LP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | CBS Masterworks MS 7194LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia Masterworks HM 47194 / Columbia Masterworks 47194LP, Album, Remastered | LP, Album, Remastered |
| 1982 | Japan | CBS/Sony 20AC 1584LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | CBS MQ 31018 / Columbia MQ 31018LP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| ? | Australia | CBS Masterworks SBR 235297 / CBS SBR - 235297LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Australia | CBS Masterworks SBR 235297LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Brazil | CBS Masterworks 160.160 / CBS 160.160LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks MS 7194LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks MS 7194LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks MS 7194LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | Columbia MS 7194 / CBS Masterworks MS 7194LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks MS 7194LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS S 63501LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS S 63501 / CBS CBS 63501LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS S 63501 / CBS CBS 63501LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 63501 / CBS S63501LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | CBS 28 116-2 / CBS 28 116LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Greece | CBS S 63501 / CBS 63501LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
104 vinyl pressings of Switched-On Bach are listed here, from 26 countries, released between 1968 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Mexico, South Africa and more. One of them is Columbia Masterworks MS 7194, released November 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MS 7194, 63501, CLS-5291, BSF 9138) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSM137961-2A 2 3 and o XXSM137962-2C 1 2. 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.
