Vinyl pressings
by Willie Colón · 1975
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 6 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.
SLP-00484-A SON STERLING GS 1-31-75Side A, etched
SLP-00484-B R C 1-31-75 GS 1-31-75 SON STERLINGSide B, etched
STERLINGStamped, both sides
SLP- 00484-A XF SON STERLINGSide A, etched
SLP- 00484-B XF SON STERLINGSide B, etched
STERLINGStamped, both sides
LPS 88460 A N6 24713Side A, etched
LPS 88460 N6 24813 BSide B, etched
6346783 ASide A, stamped
6346783 BSide B, stamped
1L 775Stamped, both sides
SLP 00484 A MC1 AREACEMRunout side A
SLP 00484B MC1 [AREACEM logo]Runout side B
SLP 00484 ALabel side A
SLP 00484 BLabel side B
SLP- 00484-A XF SON STERLINGSide A, etched
SLP- 00484-B XF SON STERLINGSide B, etched
STERLINGStamped, both sides
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Unknown | Fania Records LPS 88.460First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Colombia | Fania Records 6346783First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | France | Fania Records SLP 00484First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Mexico | Fania Records XSLP #00484 / Fania Records SLP 00484First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Peru | Fania Records LPS 88460 / Dinsa LPS 0169First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Fania Records XSLP #00484 / Fania Records SLP 00484First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Fania Records XSLP #00484 / Fania Records SLP 00484First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Venezuela | Fania Records LPS 88460First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Fania Records FAN-5012LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | Fania Records SLP 00484LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Venezuela | Fania Records LPS 88460LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Venezuela | Fania Records LPS 88460 / Barbaro LPS-88.460LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
12 vinyl pressings of The Good, The Bad, The Ugly are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1975 and 2011.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, Colombia, France, Mexico and more. One of them is Fania Records XSLP #00484.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use XSLP #00484, LPS 88.460, 6346783, SLP 00484) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SLP-00484-A SON STERLING GS 1-31-75 and SLP-00484-B R C 1-31-75 GS 1-31-75 SON STERLING. 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.
