Vinyl pressings
by Edwin Starr · 1978
Contact / Don't Waste Your Time 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.
22 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 7 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.
TCD-74-AS-A-1S I A5 DVariant 1 Side A run-out etched except I A5
A5Variant 1 Side A run-out [machine-stamp]
TCD-74-BS-B-2S IVariant 1Side B run-out etched, except I
TCD-74-AS-A-1S 1 A6 EVariant 2 Side A run-out etched except 1 A5
M-2396 AS PEtched side A, variant 1
M-2396-BS PEtched side B, variant 1
M-2396-ASEtched side A, variant 2
M-2396 BS P XEtched side B, variant 2
M-2396-AS SM IA SISide A runout etched
M-2396 BS SM IA SISide B run-out etched
(M-2396-AS)Side A label
(M-2396-BS)Side B label
M-2396 - AS - R-1A: Etching
M-2396 - BS - R-1B: Etching
M-2396 - AS - R-1Side A
M-2396 - bS - R-1Side B
M-2396 AS TH - 1Etched side A
M-2396-BS TH - 1Etched side B
(M-2396-AS)Label side A
(M-2396-BS)Label side B
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 | Australia | 20th Century Fox Records TDS-051First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Australia | 20th Century Records TDS-051First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Canada | 20th Century Fox Records 1209-2396First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | 20th Century Fox Records TC-2396First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | Ireland | 20th Century Records BTC 2396 / Pye Records BTC 2396First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Philippines | 20th Century Fox Records 20th-1066 / Hidcor 20th-1066First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | 20th Century Fox Records BTC 2396First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | 20th Century Records BTC 2396First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | UK | 20th Century Fox Records BTC 2396First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | 20th Century Records BTC 2396First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | 20th Century Fox Records BTC 2396First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | 20th Century Fox Records BTC 2396First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | 20th Century Fox Records TCD-74First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | 20th Century Fox Records TC-2396First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1978 | US | 20th Century Records TC-2396First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | 20th Century Fox Records CM-1967", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
27 vinyl pressings of Contact / Don't Waste Your Time are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Italy and more. One of them is 20th Century Fox Records TCD-74.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TCD-74, TC-2396, BTC 2396, TCD-74A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TCD-74-AS-A-1S I A5 D and A5. 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.
