Vinyl pressings
by Bill Withers · 1972
Use Me was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 13 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.
SUX-241A Bell Sound ARPVariant 1, Side A run-out, etched & stamped
SUX-241B Bell Sound ARPVariant 1, Side B run-out, etched & stamped
SUX-241A-3 Bell Sound “RCK ARPVariant 2, Side A run-out, etched & stamped
SUX-241B-3 Bell Sound RCK ARPVariant 2, Side B run-out, etched & stamped
SUX-241-A-1 Bell SoundSide A [Etched]
SUX-241-B-1 Bell SoundSide A [Etched]
SUX 241 ASide A [Label]
SUX 241 BSide B [Label]
△89186 Bell Sound
△89186-X Bell Sound
p SUX-241-A-1 Bell Sound RCK 2Mono runout
p SUXS-241-A-1 Bell Sound RCK 2Stereo runout
SUX 241 ALabels
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | A&M Records ASK-4811First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Barbados | Sussex SUX 241First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Brazil | Sussex 7SX-1009 / A&M Records 7SX-1009First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1972 | Canada | Sussex SUX 241First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Sussex SUX 241First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Sussex SUX 241First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Germany | A&M Records 12 305 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | A&M Records AM-158SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Netherlands | A&M Records 12 305 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | New Zealand | A&M Records ASK-4811First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Peru | A&M Records 11668First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Portugal | A&M Records 8E 006 94269 MFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7038First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7038First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Sussex SUX 241First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | US | Written Records WRP 105Flexi-disc, 7", Card Backed, Single Sided, 33 ⅓ RPM | Flexi-disc, 7", Card Backed, Single Sided, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | A&M Records AM-702297", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
21 vinyl pressings of Use Me are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1972 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, France, Australia and more. One of them is Sussex SUX 241, released August 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SUX 241, SUX-241, AMS 7038, 41 038) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SUX-241A Bell Sound ARP and SUX-241B Bell Sound ARP. 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.
