Vinyl pressings
by War · 1976
Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 10 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.
33 UALA 648-A (5) JS·14·XTALSide A etched runout, variant 1
33 UALA 648-B (3) M-2 JS·4·XTALSide B etched runout, variant 1
33 UALA 648-A (4) M-2 JS-15-XTALSide A etched runout, variant 2
33 UALA 648-B (3) M-5 JS-4-XTALSide B etched runout, variant 2
T1 UALA 648-A-2 JS-5-XTALSide A etched runout, variant 1
T1 UALA 648-B-2 JS-8-XTALSide B etched runout, variant 1
T3 UALA 648-A-1-CRC JS-1-XTALSide A etched runout, variant 2
T2 UALA 648-B 3X JS-6-XTALSide B etched runout, variant 2
UALA 648-A X (2) JS-13-XTALSide 1 etched runout
UALA 648-B XX (2) JS-12-XTAL CRCSide 2 etched runout
UALA 648-A-1A JS·11·XTAL Δ 1 ZSide A etched runout
33 UALA 648-B-1B JS·11·XTAL Δ 1 1SSide B etched runout
S UALA 648-A-1C JS-10-XTAL A4Side A Runout, variant 1
\ S UALA 648-B-1A JS-9-XTAL A1Side B Runout, variant 1
UALA 648-A-1B JS-9-XTAL A2Side A Runout, variant 2
\ S UALA 648-B-1B JS-11-XTAL ASide B Runout, variant 2
Ⅰ–19 ILPS 9413 A1 EGA-side runout etched
Ⅰ–21 ILPS 9413 B 1[90°rotated] EGB-side runout etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | CBS SBP 234921First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Australia | LAX Records LA 648First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia PES 90406First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Greece | CBS CBS 81697 / Far Out 81697First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | LAX Records AW-2010First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 81697First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | New Zealand | LAX Records LA648 / LAX Records LA 648First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | South Africa | Island Records ILPS 9413First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Spain | LAX Records ZL - 246First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Taiwan | Kong Mei Record Co., Ltd. KM-2063LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| 1976 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9413First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | United Artists Records UA-LA648-GFirst yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | United Artists Records UA-LA648-GFirst yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | United Artists Records UA-LA648-G / United Artists Records UALA-648-GLP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1976 | US | United Artists Records UA-LA648-GLP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | US | Avenue Records RCV1 643546LP, Record Store Day, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Record Store Day, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | Europe | Avenue Records RCV1 643546 / Avenue Records 603497845910LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | US | Analogue Productions APP 149-45 / Avenue Records RCV1 643546LP, 45 RPM, Compilation, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, 45 RPM, Compilation, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2024 | US | Avenue Records RCV5 643546 / Avenue Records 081227815639LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | US | Analogue Productions APP 149-45 / Avenue Records RCV1 643546LP, 45 RPM, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, 45 RPM, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2024 | Europe | Avenue Records RCV1 643546 / Avenue Records 603497845910LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2026 | Unknown | Rhino Records R1 728816 / Rhino Records 081227804282LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Benelux | MCA Records 202030LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | Eva & L.A. Records 91271 SLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Taiwan | Holy Hawk Record Co. Ltd. HH-6190LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
37 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1976 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is United Artists Records UA-LA648-G.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UA-LA648-G, ILPS 9413, SBP 234921, LA 648) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 33 UALA 648-A (5) JS·14·XTAL and 33 UALA 648-B (3) M-2 JS·4·XTAL. 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.
