Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Presley · 1977
Way Down was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
51 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 23 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.
["Ƨ" in a circle] PB-10998-A-X SHELLEY 9-2-77A-side runout etching
PB-10998-BX SHELLEY 9-2-77B-side runout etching
PB-10998-ALabel side A
PB-10998-BLabel side B
PB 10998 A 1S I A2 [?]A runout, variant 1
PB 10998 B 1S I A1 [?]B runout, variant 1
PB10998A 1S I jk A̶4̶ A10A runout, variant 2
PB10998B 1S jk I B1B runout, variant 2
A4 PB 10998 A 1S I ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide A runout
A(crossed out) B5 PB 10998 B 1S I ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide B runout
PB 10998 A 1S I ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K A2A side runout
PB 10998 B 1S ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K I A1B side runout
PB-10998-AA side label
PB-10998-BB side label
PB 10998A 1S I ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K A1SA runout
PB 10998A 1S I ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K A0B runout
(Side A, Stamped) A1 PB10998A 1S
(Side B, Stamped) A2 PB10998B 1S
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | RCA 41AL-2861 / RCA PB-10998First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Australia | RCA Victor 102936First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Belgium | RCA Victor PB-0998 / RCA PB 0998First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Belgium | RCA Victor PB 10998 / RCA Victor PB-10998First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Bolivia | RCA BOC / S - 1173 / RCA PB-10998First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Brazil | RCA 101.4084First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | RCA Victor PB-10998First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | RCA Victor PB-10998First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | RCA Victor PB-10998First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | RCA PB-10998First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Chile | RCA PB 10998First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Costa Rica | RCA CA-10122First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Ecuador | RCA ECK-200622 / RCA 200622First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1977 | France | RCA Victor PB 0998First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | France | RCA Victor PB 0998First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | UK | RCA PB 09987", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | UK | RCA Victor PB 099810", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited | 10", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited |
53 vinyl pressings of Way Down are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1977 and 2005.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Italy, Portugal and more. One of them is RCA PB-10998, released September 2, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PB-10998, JB-10998, PB 0998, 102936) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ["Ƨ" in a circle] PB-10998-A-X SHELLEY 9-2-77 and PB-10998-BX SHELLEY 9-2-77. 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.
