Vinyl pressings
by Al Matthews · 1975
Fool was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 7 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.
CBS - S - 3429 A1 ARUN ΛRunout, A-side, stamped, etched variant 1
CBS - S - 3429 B1 ΛRunout, B-side, stamped variant 1
CBS•S 3429•A1 30 B ARUNRunout, A-side, stamped, etched variant 2
CBS•S 3429•B1 11 DRunout, B-side, stamped variant 2
CBS-S 3429-A1 ARUNRunout Side A
CBS-S 3429-B1Runout Side B
CBS - S - 3429 A1Runout, A-side, stamped
ARUNRunout, A-side, etched
CBS - S - 3429 B1Runout, B-side, stamped
ZSS160718-1HRunout area side A
ZSS160719-1GRunout area side B
ZSS 160718Label side A
ZSS 160719Label side B
ZSP 160717-1A F/W NYC SJRA-side runout groove inscription (Variant 1)
ZSS 160718-1A F/W NYC SJRB-side runout groove inscription (Variant 1)
p ZSP 160717-1B F/W NYC SJRA-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
p ZSS160718-1GB-Side Runout Etching (Variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | France | CBS CBS 3429First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Germany | CBS CBS S 3429First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Germany | CBS CBS S 3429First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Italy | CBS CBS 3429First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1975 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 3429First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 3429First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Spain | CBS CBS 3429First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | CBS S CBS 3429First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | CBS S CBS 3429First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | US | Columbia 3-10224First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1975 | US | Columbia 3-10224First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | UK | CBS S CBS 3429First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | CBS S CBS 3429First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
13 vinyl pressings of Fool are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, US, France, Germany and more. One of them is CBS S CBS 3429, released June 27, 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S CBS 3429, 3-10224, CBS 3429, CBS S 3429) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CBS - S - 3429 A1 ARUN Λ and CBS - S - 3429 B1 Λ. 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.
