Vinyl pressings
by Albert Hammond · 1973
The Free Electric Band was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 15 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.
AD-ZS8 6018-3A-Side Runout Etching - variant 1
AC-ZS8 6018-4B-Side Runout Etching - variant 1
AC-ZS7 6018-3A-Side Runout Etching - variant 2
AC-ZS7 6018-4B-Side Runout Etching - variant 2
AE-ZS-7-6018-3 TIEtched side A
T AF ZS7-6018-4Etched side B
AA-ZS8 6018-3 ssA-Side Runout Etching
AA-ZS8 6018-4 sssB-Side Runout Etching
ZS8 6018-3A-Side Label
ZS8 6018-4B-Side Label
AC-ZS7-6018-1Mono Side Runout
AC-ZS7-6018-3Stereo Side Runout
JZS7 6018-1Mono Side Label
JZS7 6018-3Stereo Side Label
AB-ZS7-6018-1 SSEtched side A
AB-ZS7-6018-3 SSEtched side B
JZS7 6018-1Label side A
JZS7 6018-3Label side B
MUM S 1494 A1 ARunout side A
MUM S 1494 B1 DRunout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | CBS BA-221982First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Columbia ZS7-6018First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Colombia | Epic 46460First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | Epic EPC 1494First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Epic EPC S 1494First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Epic EPC S 1494First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Epic EPC S 1494First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Germany | Epic EPC S 1494 / Epic EPC 1494First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Greece | CBS CBS 301400First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Ireland | Mums Records S MUM 1494First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | Epic ECPB - 230First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Epic EPC 1494First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Epic EPC 1494First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Epic EPC 1494First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461460First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Epic S MUM 14947", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
29 vinyl pressings of The Free Electric Band are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Mums Records ZS7 6018.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZS7 6018, S MUM 1494, BA-221982, ZS7-6018) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AD-ZS8 6018-3 and AC-ZS8 6018-4. 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.
