Vinyl pressings
by Willie Nelson · 1979
Willie Nelson Sings Kristofferson 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.
14 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 8 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.
T PAL 36188-1J E5Side A, etched, variant 1
T1 PBL 36188-1J F13Side B, etched, variant 1
1 T PAL 36188-1FSide A, etched, variant 2
T 1 PBL 36188-1FSide B, etched, variant 2
PAL 36188-1DRunout side-A, etched, variant 1
S PBL 36188-1BRunout side-B, etched, variant 1
PAL-36188-1N > D 15Runout side-A, etched, variant 2
PBL 36188-1A 33 15Runout side-B, etched, variant 2
PAL 36188-1A4Variant 1: Side A [Etched]
P PBL 36188-1ABVariant 1: Side B [Etched]
PAL 36188-1DVariant 2: Side A [Etched]
PBL 36188-1DVariant 2: Side B [Etched]
T PAL 36188-1J E5Side A, Etched
T1 PBL 36188-1J F13Side B, Etched
AL 36188Side A, Printed On Label
BL 36188Side B, Printed On Label
1S PAL-36188-1N > A 2Side A, Etched
1S PBL 36188-1B A 2Side B, Etched
AL 36188Side A, Printed On Label
BL 36188Side B, Printed On Label
CBS S 83877 A1Hand etched Side 1
CBS S 83877 B1Hand etched Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | CBS SBP 237360First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Europe | CBS 83877 / CBS JC 36188First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1737First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1737First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | CBS 83877First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | CBS S 83877First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | Columbia JC 36188First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | CBS S CBS 83877First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 36188 / Columbia 36188First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 36188First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 36188First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 36188First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 36188First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | Columbia JC 36188First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | South Africa | CBS ASF 2470LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia PC 36188LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 36188 / Columbia C 36188LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
17 vinyl pressings of Willie Nelson Sings Kristofferson are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia JC 36188.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 36188, S CBS 83877, SBP 237360, 83877) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T PAL 36188-1J E5 and T1 PBL 36188-1J F13. 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.
