Vinyl pressings
by Willie Nelson · 1979
Sweet Memories was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
A4 AHL1-3243A-5S I RR JRunout Side A
A1 AHL1 3243B 10 I DRunout Side B
AHL1-3243-ASide A, Printed On Label
AHL1-3243-BSide B, Printed On Label
RR CSide A, Etched
A1 AHL1-3243A 5SSide A, Stamped
I RANDY'S ROOSTSide B, Etched
A1 AHL1-3243D-1Side B, Stamped
AHL1-3243A-50 A5Side A stamped
RR LSide A etched
AHL1-3243B-1Side B stamped
RANDY'S ROOSTSide B etched
AHL1-3243A-2S RANDY'S ROOSTSide A runout
AHL1-3243B-2S RANDY'S ROOSTSide B runout
AHL1-3243-ASide A Label
AHL1-3243-BSide B Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | RCA Victor APL 1 3243First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Canada | RCA Victor AHL1-3243First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | France | RCA Victor HL 13243First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Germany | RCA Victor PL 13243First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | New Zealand | RCA Victor APL1 3243First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | US | RCA Victor AHL1 3243 / RCA Victor AHL1-3243First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | US | RCA Victor AHL1 3243 / RCA Victor AYL1-4300First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | US | RCA Victor AHL1-3243First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | US | RCA Victor AHL1 3243 / RCA Victor AHL1-3243First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | US | RCA Victor AYL1-4300LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | RCA RPL-2131LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Japan | RCA RPL-2131LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
12 vinyl pressings of Sweet Memories are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1979 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, Australia, Canada, France and more. One of them is RCA Victor AHL1 3243, released February 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AHL1 3243, AHL1-3243, APL 1 3243, HL 13243) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A4 AHL1-3243A-5S I RR J and A1 AHL1 3243B 10 I D. 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.
