Vinyl pressings
by Earth, Wind & Fire · 1973
Evil was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 6 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.
ZSP 157629-1CEtched in runout, Side A
ZSP 157631-1D PEtched in runout, Side B
ZSP 157629Printed on label, Side A
ZSP 157631Printed on label, Side B
T ZSP 157629-1ERunout etching, A side
T ZSP 157631-1FRunout etching, B side
SSSSSS ZSP 157629-1BRunout etching, A side
SI ZSP 157631-1ARunout etching, B side
JZSP 157629-1DMono Side Runout
JZSS 157630-1DStereo Side Runout
JZSP 157629Mono Side Label
JZSS 157630Stereo Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | CBS BA-222008First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Brazil | CBS 33817First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | CBS CBS 1792First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Germany | CBS CBS 1792First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 1792First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | UK | CBS S CBS 1792First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | UK | CBS S CBS 1792First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | UK | CBS S CBS 1792First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | UK | CBS S CBS 1792First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Columbia 4-45888First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | US | Columbia 4-45888First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | US | Columbia 4-45888First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1973 | US | Columbia 4-45888First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 1792First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
14 vinyl pressings of Evil are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Netherlands, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia 4-45888.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4-45888, S CBS 1792, CBS 1792, BA-222008) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSP 157629-1C and ZSP 157631-1D P. 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.
