Vinyl pressings
by Billy Joel · 1986
This Is The Time 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.
18 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 9 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 175531 1D G1 A 1 STERLINGRunout A variant 1 etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
ZSS 175532 1E ᴅ G1 A 2 STERLINGRunout B variant 1 etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
ZSS 175531 1E G1 A4 STERLINGRunout A variant 2 etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
ZSS 175532 1C ᴅ G2 A3 STERLINGRunout B variant 2 etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
STERLING P Ⓣ ZSS 175531 1BA runout
STERLING P Ⓣ ZSS 175532 1AB runout
ZSS 175531A label
ZSS 175532B label
P Ⓣ ZSS 17531 1B STERLINGBoth runouts stamped (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
650204-7 A1 ARunout Side A
650204-7 B1 ARunout Side B
650204 7 A*Label Side A
650204 7 B*Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | CBS BA 3505First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia | CBS BA 3505First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Columbia 38-06526 / Family Productions 38 06526First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | CBS CBS 650204 7 / CBS 650204 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | CBS CBS 650204 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Italy | CBS CBS 650204 7 / CBS 650204 7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | New Zealand | CBS BA 3505First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Spain | CBS CBS 650204 7First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Spain | CBS CBS 650204 7 / Family Productions CBS 650204 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Spain | CBS CBS 650204 6First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | CBS 650204 0First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | US | Columbia CAS 2556First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Columbia 38-06526First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1986 | US | Columbia 38-06526First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | CBS 650204 7 / Family Productions 650204 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | CBS CS-101557", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of This Is The Time are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia 38-06526, released November 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 38-06526, CAS 2556, 650204 7, 650204 0) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS 175531 1D G1 A 1 STERLING and ZSS 175532 1E ᴅ G1 A 2 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.
