Vinyl pressings
by Chicago · 1974
(I've Been) Searchin' So Long 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.
22 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 13 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.
T ZSS 158964 1EB side deadwax - etched
ZSS 158963A side label
ZSS 158964B side label
T ZSS 158963 1E(etched) TML(stamped)A side deadwax
ZSS 158963 1-C TMLVariant 1: side A runout: - TML Stamped
ZSS 158963 1-C TMLVariant 1: side B runout: - TML Stamped
ZSS 15863 1-C TMLVariant 2: side A runout etched - TML Stamped
ZSS 158964 1-D TMLVariant 2: side B runout etched - TML Stamped
ZSS 158963 1-ARunout A
ZSS 158964 1-ARunout B
ZSS 158963Label A
ZSS 158964Label B
ZSS 158963 1-A [TML]Side A Runout, etched [stamped]
ZSS 158964 1-A [TML]Side B Runout, etched [stamped]
ZSS 158963Side A Label
ZSS 158964Side B Label
ZSS 158963-1H TML 1-1 PRA side runout
ZSS 158964-1H TML 1-1 PRB side runout
ZSS 158963A side label
ZSS 158964B side label
T ZSS 158963 1E ᴛᴍʟRun-out Side A, etched
ZSS 158963 1F ᴛᴍʟ ᵀᴵᴵRun-out Side B, etched
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 | CBS BA-222067First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Canada | Columbia 4-46020First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | CBS CBS S 2245First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Germany | CBS CBS 2245 / CBS CBS S 2245First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Greece | CBS CBS 301423First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Italy | CBS CBS 2245First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPB 283First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461509First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Portugal | CBS 2245First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | South Africa | Date DA.94First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Spain | CBS CBS 2245First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | CBS S CBS 2245First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | CBS S CBS 2245First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Columbia 4-46020First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Columbia 4-46020First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Columbia 4-460207", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
23 vinyl pressings of (I've Been) Searchin' So Long are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Netherlands, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia 4-46020, released February 21, 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4-46020, S CBS 2245, CBS 2245, BA-222067) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T ZSS 158964 1E and ZSS 158963. 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.
