Vinyl pressings
by Chi Coltrane · 1972
Thunder And Lightning was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
p ZSS 156140-1F Stereo [artisan logo]A-Side Runout Etching
p ZSS 156141-1F Stereo [artisan logo] 2B-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 156140-1E Stereo [artisan logo]Side A runout, variant 2
ZSS 156141-1E Stereo [artisan logo]Side B runout, variant 2
ZSS 156140-1B Stereo [artisan logo] S1Side A Runout
ZSS 156141-1B Stereo [artisan logo] S1Side B Runout
ZSS 156140Side A Label
ZSS 156141Side B Label
ZSS 156140-1D Stereo [artisan logo] T1A-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 156141-1C Stereo [artisan logo] T11B-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 156140A-Side Label
ZSS 156141B-Side Label
T ZSS156140-1G STEREOSide A, runout
T ZSS156141-1G STEREOSide B, runout
ZSS 156140Side A, label
ZSS 156141Side B, label
p ZSP 156139-1F [artisan logo]A-Side Runout Etching
p ZSS 156140-1E Stereo [artisan logo]B-Side Runout Etching
JZSP 156139Side A Label
JZSS 156140Side B Label
ZSP 156139-1C [Artisan Logo) TIMono Runout, etched except Artisan stamp
ZSS 156140-1C Stereo [Artisan Logo] TIStereo Runout, etched except Artisan stamp
JZSP 156139Mono Label
JZSS 156140Stereo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Canada | Columbia 4-45640First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | CBS CBS S 8312First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | CBS CBS S 8312First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Greece | CBS CBS 301380First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPA 49First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Mexico | CBS 7011First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1972 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 8312 / CBS Y-45640First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Spain | CBS CBS 8312First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | US | Columbia 4-45640First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | Columbia 4-45640First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1972 | US | Columbia 4-45640First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | Columbia 4-45640First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1972 | Venezuela | CBS CBS 15.079First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | US | Columbia 4-45640First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1972 | US | Columbia 4-45640First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia 4-332337", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia 4-456407", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia 13-332337", Reissue | 7", Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of Thunder And Lightning are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Canada, Germany, Greece and more. One of them is Columbia 4-45640, released June 23, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4-45640, CBS S 8312, CBS 301380, SOPA 49) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, p ZSS 156140-1F Stereo [artisan logo] and p ZSS 156141-1F Stereo [artisan logo] 2. 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.
