Vinyl pressings
by Billy Joel · 1986
Modern Woman was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. 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 1986, the album's first year, in 11 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.
ZSS 175187 1C G1 A3 STERLINGRunout A etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
ZSS 175188 1C G1 B11 STERLINGRunout B etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
ZSS 175187Label A
ZSS 175188Label B
ZSS 175187 1A P(P)Side A, Scribed
ZSS 175188 1A P(P)Side B, Scribed
STERLINGSide A/B, Etched
ZSS 175187 1A P(P)(Variant 2) Side A etched
ZSS 175187 1C G STERLINGSide A, Scribed / "STERLING" etched
ZSS 175188 1C G STERLINGSide B, Scribed / "STERLING" etched
ZSS 175187Side A, Label
ZSS 175188Side B, Label
P (p) ZSS 175187 1A STERLINGRunout A etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
P (p) ZSS 175187 1B STERLINGRunout B etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
XSS 175198 1C P(P) STERLINGRunout on both sides marked the same
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Epic ES 1146First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia | Epic ES 1146First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Canada | Epic 34-06118 / Epic 34 06118First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Epic A 7247 / Epic EPCA 7247First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | Epic 07-5P-424First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Japan | Epic 07.5P-424First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Mexico | Epic SC-72131 / Family Productions SC-72131First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Netherlands | Epic EPCA 12.7247First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Epic ES 1146First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Philippines | Epic ES-20090First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | South Africa | Epic EN.5962First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | CBS DA 7247First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | CBS TA 7247First year12" | 12" |
| 1986 | UK | CBS A 7247First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | US | Epic 34-06118 / Family Productions 34-06118First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Epic ES 11467", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Columbia 13-68714 / Family Productions 13-687147", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
21 vinyl pressings of Modern Woman are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Epic 34-06118, released May 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 34-06118, EAS 2370, DA 7247, TA 7247) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS 175187 1C G1 A3 STERLING and ZSS 175188 1C G1 B11 STERLING. 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.
