Vinyl pressings
by Wynn Stewart · 1962
Country & Western Stars was first pressed on vinyl in 1962. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1962, the album's first year, in 2 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.
SDLP-604-A SS1-1-103-5-A AKS-211-A 11-3-10 '62.Side A Runout Etched, variant 1
SDLP-604-B AKS-211-B Stereo 11-3-10 '62.Side B Runout Etched, variant 1
SDLP-604-A SSH-103-5-A SSH-104-5-A (scratched out) AKS-211-A stereo 11-3-10 '62. LWSide A Runout Etched, variant 2
SDLP-604-B R LW AKS-211B stereo 11-3-10 '62.Side B Runout Etched, variant 2
DLP-604-A MSH-103-5A AK211-A LW 10-62 II-ISide A etched
S DLP-604-B AK-211B R II-3-II ’62 LWSide B etched
DLP-604-A MSH-103-5A AK211-A LW 10-62 II-ISide A etched
DLP-604-B AK-211B R II-3-II ’62 LWSide B etched
DLP 604 10-62 11-1 MSH-104-5A MSH-103-5-A AK211-ASide A Runout
DLP 604 B AK-211B R 11-3-11'62 LWSide B Runout
SDLP 604 A SSH-103-5-A AKS-211-A Stereo 11-3-10 '62. LW
AKS-211B SDLP-604-B Stereo R 11-3-10 '62. LW
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Canada | Design Records DLP-604 / Design Records SDLP-604First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1962 | US | Stereo Spectrum Records DLP-604 / Stereo Spectrum Records SDLP-604First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1962 | US | Design Records DPL-604LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| 1962 | US | Design Records DLP-604First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Design Records DLP-604First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Design Records DLP-604First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Stereo Spectrum Records SDLP-604 / Design Records SDLP-604First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1962 | US | International Award Series AK-211First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Design Records DLP-604LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Design Records DLP-604 / Design Records SDLP-604LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | US | Design Records DLP-604 / Design Records SDLP-604LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | US | International Award Series AK-211LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | US | Design Records DLP-604LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Design Records DLP-604LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
14 vinyl pressings of Country & Western Stars are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 1962 and 1965.
The earliest pressings are from 1962, in US, Canada. One of them is Stereo Spectrum Records DLP-604.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DLP-604, SDLP-604, AK-211) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SDLP-604-A SS1-1-103-5-A AKS-211-A 11-3-10 '62. and SDLP-604-B AKS-211-B Stereo 11-3-10 '62.. 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.
