Vinyl pressings
by Boston · 1978
Don't Look Back was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
39 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 16 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.
p ZSS-164855 1A STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching - Variant 1
p ZSS-164856-1A STERLINGB-Side Runout Etching - Variant 1
p ZSS-164855 1B STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching - Variant 2
p ZSS-164856-1A STERLINGB-Side Runout Etching - Variant 2
ZSS-164855 1J #2 PNA-Side Runout Etching
ZSS-164856-1L PNB-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 164855A-Side Label
ZSS 164856B-Side Label
ZSS-164855 1G #2 PNA side runout
ZSS-164856-1AA #2 PNB side runout
ZSS 164855A side label
ZSS 164856B side label
ZSS-164855 1EA
ZSS 164856-1GB
T ZSS-164855 1C STERLING TIRunout side A variant 1
ZSS-164856-1G 51Runout side B variant 1
T ZSS-164855 1C STERLING TIRunout side A variant 2
T ZSS-164856-1D STERLING TIIRunout side B variant 2
ZSS 164855-1G # 2 PNA
ZSS 164856-1L #2 (Small PN etched out) PNB
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Argentina | Epic 40.136First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | Australia | Epic ES 301First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Australia | Epic ES 301First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Bolivia | Discos CBS 10294First year7", EP | 7", EP |
| 1978 | Canada | Epic 8-50590First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Epic DJ8-50590First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Costa Rica | Epic 45263First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Europe | Epic EPC 6653 / Epic EPC 11-6653First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | Germany | Epic EPC 6653First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Germany | Epic EPC 6653First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Ireland | Epic S EPC 6653First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Italy | Epic EPC 6653First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Italy | Epic EPC 6653First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Italy | Epic EPC 6653First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Japan | Epic 06・5P-1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Epic XSS-16485712", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
43 vinyl pressings of Don't Look Back are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Mexico, Argentina and more. One of them is Epic 8-50590, released July 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 8-50590, AS 491, S EPC 6653, EPC12 6653) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, p ZSS-164855 1A STERLING and p ZSS-164856-1A 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.
