Vinyl pressings
by Electric Light Orchestra · 1979
Confusion was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
T ZS9-5064 - 3AE AZ❀ TIRunout A, variant 1
T ZS9 5064- 4AE AZRunout B, variant 1
T ZS9 5064-3AC AZ❀Runout A, variant 2
T ZS9 5064-4AD AZ 2Runout B, variant 2
ZS9-5064-3AB Az❀ SSSSide A Runout, etched
ZS9 5064- 4AB Az(wings) SSide B Runout, etched
AA-AF ZS9 5064-3Side A Label
AA-AF ZS9 5064-4Side B Label
ZS9-5064-3AC AZ❀ [1] [A] [P]A side runout, etched, [stamped]
ZS9-5064-4AD AZ [P]B side runout, etched, [stamped]
AA-AF ZS9 5064-3A side label matrix
AA-AF ZS9 5064-4B side label matrix
ZS9-5064-3AG Az❀ SSSRunout, etched
AA-AF ZS9 5064-3Label
p ZS9-5064-3AC AZ ❀ ARunout both sides etched
ZS9 5064-3Both sides label
ZS9-5064-3AE AZ❀ T111 TRunout A side
ZS9-5064-3AE AZ❀ T1111 TRunout B side
AA-AF ZS9 5064-3Labels
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Jet Records JS 012First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Australia | Jet Records JS 012First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Brazil | Not On Label GP-952First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | Jet Records ZS9 5064First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Ecuador | CBS 133-0042First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Japan | Jet Records 06SP 445First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | Jet Records 06SP 445First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Rhodesia | CBS SSC 1933First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | South Africa | CBS SSC 1933First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | US | Jet Records ZS9 5064First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Jet Records ZS9 5064First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Jet Records ZS9 5064First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Venezuela | EpicFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Jet Records ZS9 5064First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Jet Records ZS9 5064First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Ecuador | CBS 133-00427", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
17 vinyl pressings of Confusion are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, Australia, Canada, Ecuador and more. One of them is Jet Records ZS9 5064, released October 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZS9 5064, JS 012, 133-0042, 06SP 445) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T ZS9-5064 - 3AE AZ❀ TI and T ZS9 5064- 4AE AZ. 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.
