Vinyl pressings
by Crystal Gayle · 1978
Ready For The Times To Get Better 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.
12 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 8 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 UAXW-1136-UAST-19499 x MasterfonicsA-Side Runout Etching
p UAXW-1136-UAST-19463 x MasterfonicsB-Side Runout Etching
UAST-19499A-Side Label
UAST-19463B-Side Label
UAXW-1136-UAST-19499 - 2 Masterfonics T IIIIIIRunout Side A
T UAXW-1136-UAST-14963-1 Masterfonics TIIIIIRunout Side B
BMI
UAST-19499Label Side A
R-2875 UAXW-1136-UAST-19499 (MASTERFONICS)Side A Etched (Stamped)
R-2876 UAXW-1136-UAST-19463 (MASTERFONICS)Side B Etched (Stamped)
UAST-19499Label side A
UAST-19463Label side B
p UAXW-1136-UA-19499 X MasterfonicsA-Side Runout Etching
p UAXW-1136-UAST-19499 X MasterfonicsB-Side Runout Etching
UA-19499A-Side Label
UAST-19499B-Side Label
UP 36362 A-2U P 1Runout (stamped) side A
UP 36362 B-1U H 1Runout (stamped) side B
UP 36362ASide A label
UP 36362BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Belgium | United Artists Records 4 C 006-60617First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | United Artists Records UA-XW1136First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Guatemala | United Artists Records UA-XW1136First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Japan | United Artists Records CM-111First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Netherlands | United Artists Records 5C 016-60617First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | New Zealand | United Artists Records K 7047First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | United Artists Records UA-XW1136First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | United Artists Records UA-XW1136First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | United Artists Records UA-XW1136First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | United Artists Records UP 36362First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | UK | United Artists Records UP 36362First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | United Artists Records UA-XW1136First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | United Artists Records K-70477", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of Ready For The Times To Get Better are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Belgium, Canada and more. One of them is United Artists Records UA-XW1136.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UA-XW1136, UP 36362, 4 C 006-60617, CM-111) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, p UAXW-1136-UAST-19499 x Masterfonics and p UAXW-1136-UAST-19463 x Masterfonics. 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.
