Vinyl pressings
by Eric Mercury · 1969
Electric Black Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 5 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.
AVE-001A 1 Bell Sound sfA-Side Runout Etching
AVE-001B 1 Bell Sound sfB-Side Runout Etching
AVE-001 AA-Side Label
AVE-001 BB-Side Label
AVE 001-A⁻² BellSound sf ISide A runout
AVE 001-B⁻²... BellSound sf ISide B runout
AVE001ASide A label
AVE001BSide B label
AVE-001 A 3 [above three dots] Bell Sound sf HRunout side 1
AVE-001-B 3 [above three dots] Bell Sound sf HRunout side 2
AVE 001ALabel side 1
AVE 001BLabel side 2
AVE-001A 1 Bell Sound sfA-Side Runout Etching
AVE-001B 1 Bell Sound sfB-Side Runout Etching
AVE-001 AA-Side Label
AVE-001 BB-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Canada | AVCO Embassy AVE-33001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | France | AVCO Embassy AVE-33001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Jamaica | RCA Victor AVE-33001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | New Zealand | AVCO Embassy SAVL-933630 / AVCO Embassy AVE-33001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | AVCO Embassy AVE-33001 / AVCO Embassy AVE 33001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | AVCO Embassy AVE 33001 / AVCO Embassy AVE-33001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | AVCO Embassy AVE 33001 / AVCO Embassy AVE-33001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | AVCO Embassy AVE-33001First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | AVCO Embassy AVL-.33,630LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | Brazil | AVCO Embassy AVLP-7.003LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Spain | AVCO Embassy CPS 9055LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Venezuela | AVCO Embassy AVE-6601LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | AVCO Embassy AVE-33001LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
13 vinyl pressings of Electric Black Man are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1969 and 1970.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, Canada, France, Jamaica and more. One of them is AVCO Embassy AVE-33001.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AVE-33001, AVE 33001, SAVL-933630) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AVE-001A 1 Bell Sound sf and AVE-001B 1 Bell Sound sf. 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.
