Vinyl pressings
by Captain Beefheart · 1974
Unconditionally Guaranteed was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. 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 1974, the album's first year, in 12 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 SRM-1-709-A3 1ARunout A, Variant 1
P SRM-1-709-B2 [United Sound logo] ARunout B, Variant 1
P SRM-1-709-A2 ARunout A, Variant 2
PSRM-1-709-B2 [United Sound logo] ARunout B, Variant 2
1T SRM-1-709A-CT7 MASTERDISK G.K.Side A runout variant 1
1T SRM-1-709B-CT6 MASTERDISK G.K.Side B runout variant 1
SRM-1-709A-CT7 1T MASTERDISK G.K. C9Side A runout variant 2
SRM-1-709B-CT6 1T MASTERDISK G.K. A2Side B runout variant 2
SRM-1-709-A4 2 [upside down]Scribed in runout side A
SRM-1-709-B5 SIScribed in runout side B
United Sound logoStamped in runout side B
S 2 SRM-1-709-A4 A5Runout A, Variant 1
S 1 SRM-1-709-B5 [United Sound logo] A1Runout B, Variant 1
SRM-1-709 ASide A label
SRM-1-709 BSide B label
SRM-1-709A-CT7A-Side Runout, Stamped
SRM-1-709B-CT6B-Side Runout, Stamped
TA&B-Side Runouts, Hand-etched
MASTERDISKA&B-Side Runouts, Stamped
V 2015 A-2U PNA side run-out
V 2015 B-2UB side run-out
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Mercury 6338 501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-709 / Mercury 6338 501First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | Virgin 840032 / Virgin 840.032First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Virgin 840 032 / Virgin 840.032First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Virgin 840 032LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1974 | Italy | Virgin VIL 12015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Mercury 6338 501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | South Africa | Virgin V 2015 / Virgin V.2015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Spain | Virgin 87840-IFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Sweden | Virgin V-2015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Sweden | Virgin V 2015 / Virgin V-2015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Virgin 87 840 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Virgin 87 840 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Virgin 87 840 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Virgin V 2015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | UK | Virgin OVED 66LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | UK | Virgin OVED 66LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | UK | Virgin OVED 66LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | UMC 3544585 / Virgin 3544585LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-709 / Phonogram 6338 501LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | Virgin OVED 66LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Fame FA 3034LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Virgin V 2015LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 66LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-1-709LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-1-709LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
34 vinyl pressings of Unconditionally Guaranteed are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1974 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Germany, Netherlands and more. One of them is Mercury SRM-1-709, released April 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SRM-1-709, V 2015, 87 840 IT, 6338 501) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P SRM-1-709-A3 1A and P SRM-1-709-B2 [United Sound logo] A. 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.
