Vinyl pressings
by Cheap Trick · 1988
Don't Be Cruel was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1988, 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 - 07965A - 1A G1 C3 MASTERDISK-HWRunout side A, variant 1
ZSS - 07965B - 1B G1 A6Runout side B, variant 1
ZSS - 07965A - 1A D G1 MASTERDISK-HW ↓Runout side A, variant 2
ZSS - 07965B - 1A D G2 A1Runout side B, variant 2
ZSS 07965AA-side label
652896-6 A1Side A, etched
652896-6 B1Side B, etched
652896-7 A1Runout A side, etched
652896-7 B1Runout B side, etched
652896 7 A*A side, label
652896 7 B*B side, label
Δ MX 250795 652823∙7 S1Side A handwritten etchings
Δ MX 250795 652823∙7 S2Side B handwritten etchings
MX250795Side A label
MX250796Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | Epic 652823 7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Australia | Epic 652823 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Canada | Epic 34 07965First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Canada | Epic 34-07965First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Epic EPC 652896 7 / Epic 652896 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Epic EPC 652896 6 / Epic 652896 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Mexico | CBS PR-653221First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Philippines | Epic QEL45-20148First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | Epic EPC 652896-7First year7", Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Spain | Epic EPC 652896 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Spain | Epic EPC 652896-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | UK | Epic 652896 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | UK | Epic 652896 0First year7", 45 RPM, Shape, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Shape, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1988 | UK | Epic 652896 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Epic 34 07965 / Epic 34-07965First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Don't Be Cruel are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Epic 34 07965.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 34 07965, 34-07965, 652896 6, 652896 0) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS - 07965A - 1A G1 C3 MASTERDISK-HW and ZSS - 07965B - 1B G1 A6. 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.
