Vinyl pressings
by 3rd Bass · 1989
The Gas Face / Wordz Of Wizdom was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year. 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.
XSS-73121 ̶B̶ A-1A G1 c MASTERDISK (mp)Runout Groove Side A
XSS-73121 ̶A̶ B 1A c G1 MASTERDISK H (mp)Runout Groove Side B
XSS 73121AA-Side Label
XSS 73121BB-Side Label
ZSS-73046 B̶ A-1A E G1 (MP) A1A-Side Runout Etching
ZSS- 73046 A̶-B B̶ - 1A D G1 MASTERDISK (MP) B2B-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 73046AA-Side Label
ZSS 73046BB-Side Label
XSS 73121ASide A label
XSS 73121BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | US | Def Jam Recordings 44 73121 / Columbia 44 73121First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1989 | US | Def Jam Recordings 38-73046 / Columbia 38-73046First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1989 | US | Def Jam Recordings ACD 73121 / Columbia ACD 73121First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Australia | CBS 655398 612", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | Europe | Def Jam Recordings 655398 7 / CBS 655398 77", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Europe | Def Jam Recordings 655398 6 / CBS 655398 612", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | Spain | CBS ARIC 23767", Promo, Single Sided · Promo | 7", Promo, Single Sided · Promo |
| 1990 | UK | Def Jam Recordings 655627 8 / CBS 655627 812", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1990 | UK | Def Jam Recordings 655627 0 / CBS 655627 07", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | UK | Def Jam Recordings 655627 6 / CBS 655627 612", 45 RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1990 | UK | Def Jam Recordings 655627 7 / CBS 655627 77", 45 RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1990 | Australia | CBS 655398 6 / Def Jam Recordings 655398 612" | 12" |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | US | Island Def Jam Music Group CATF-05134-112", Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited, Colored vinyl |
13 vinyl pressings of The Gas Face / Wordz Of Wizdom are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1989 and 2004.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in US. One of them is Def Jam Recordings 44 73121.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 44 73121, 38-73046, ACD 73121) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS-73121 ̶B̶ A-1A G1 c MASTERDISK (mp) and XSS-73121 ̶A̶ B 1A c G1 MASTERDISK H (mp). 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.
