Vinyl pressings
by Beastie Boys · 1995
Root Down was first pressed on vinyl in 1995. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1995, 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.
GR 018A 37357(3)...Runout, side A, etched
GR 018B 37360(3)...Runout, side B, etched
GR 018A ... 37359(3) ... –Variant 2 – Runout, side A, etched
GR 018B ... 37360(3) .. –Variant 2 – Runout, side B, etched
GR 018 A
GR 018 B
SPRO-79626Clean Side runouts
SPRO-79627Dirty Side runouts
SPRO-79626 - Z1Clean Side runouts (Variant 1)
SPRO-79627 - Z1Dirty Side runouts (Variant 1)
EST 2262 A-1-1-1 [signature]Runout Side A, Stamped (Variant 1)
EST 2262 B-1-1-1Runout Side B, Stamped (Variant 1)
8336031 A-2-1-1Runout Side A, stamped (Variant 2)
8336031 B-03-01-1Runout Side B, stamped (Variant 2)
EST 2262 A-1-1-1
EST 2262 B-1-1-1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | UK | Grand Royal 7243 8 33603 1 4 / Capitol Records 7243 8 33603 1 4First year12", EP, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", EP, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1995 | UK | Grand Royal GR 018First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Stereo, Box Set, Limited Edition, Special Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Stereo, Box Set, Limited Edition, Special Edition · Limited |
| 1995 | US | Grand Royal GR 018First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1995 | US | Grand Royal SPRO-79627 / Grand Royal SPRO-79628First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1995 | US | Grand Royal GR018 / Brooklyn Dust Music GR018First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP · Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP · Colored vinyl |
| 1995 | US | Grand Royal GR 01812", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | US | Handy Records HR 00112", Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2005 | UK | Grand Royal GR 8717012", Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2006 | Europe | Grand Royal 7243 8 33603 1 . 412", EP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", EP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe | Capitol Records 006025778090812", EP, Reissue | 12", EP, Reissue |
| 2019 | Europe | Capitol Records 0060257780910112", EP, Reissue | 12", EP, Reissue |
| 2019 | US | Capitol Records B0030358-01 / UMe B0030358-0112", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | US | Capitol Records B0030358-01 / UMe B0030358-0112", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue |
| 2019 | US | Capitol Records B0030358-0112", EP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", EP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | US | Capitol Records B0030358-0112", EP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", EP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | US | Capitol Records B0030358-0112", EP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", EP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | US | Capitol Records B0030358-01 / UMe B0030358-0112", EP, Reissue | 12", EP, Reissue |
17 vinyl pressings of Root Down are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1995 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1995, in US, UK. One of them is Grand Royal GR 018.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GR 018, GR018, SPRO-79627, 7243 8 33603 1 4) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GR 018A 37357(3)... and GR 018B 37360(3).... 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.
