RCA Compact 33 RPM Record Guide (US) (37 Prefix)

In 1960, RCA and a number of major record labels had introduced the compact 33 single in an attempt to create a one-speed format market. It was a move that many within the industry had thought would take two to five years for the market sales to switch from the 45s to the compact 33s. With a shortage of inexpensive automatic 33-speed singles players to discourage promotion of the compact 33 and the majority, of 3,000 discount stores cutting their prices of the 45 RPM from ninety-eight cents to seventy-seven cents, by 1961 the compact 33 as an industry standard was no more.¹

A beginning to compiling a listing of Compact 33 Records released for a time between 1960-1962. Compact 33s are 7 inch and resemble a 45 RPM except that the hole is LP size. The prefix 37 reflects Compact 33. The catalog numbers are identical to their 45 RPM counter-parts. These are difficult to obtain, this list is based on eBay auctions, price guides, and many search engines.