Vinyl pressings
by Four Tops · 1973
The Best Of The Four Tops 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.
13 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
M 764D-13A I CB C4RS-7649Side A runout, variant 1
M 764D-13B IC LP C4RS-7650Side B runout, variant 1
M 764D-13C CB C4RS-7651Side C runout, variant 1
M 764 MOTOWN (A) IC BI C4RS-7652-13DSide D runout, variant 1
C4RS 7649 1 dh . I Λ2Side A runout
C4RS 7650 1 I dh . V Λ2Side B runout
C4RS 7651 1 I R Λ2Side C runout
C4RS 7652 dh . I Λ2Side D runout
C4RS-7649 M764D-13ASide 1 Runout Information (etched)
C4RS 7650 M764D-13BSide 2 Runout Information (etched)
C4RS 7651 M764D-13CSide 3 Runout Information (etched)
C4RS-7652-13D M764 MOTOWN (A)Side 4 Runout Information (etched)
C4RS-7649 M764D-13ASide 1 Runout Information (etched)
C4RS 7650 M764D-13BSide 2 Runout Information (etched)
C4RS 7651 M764D-13CSide 3 Runout Information (etched)
C4RS-7652-13D M764 MOTOWN (A)Side 4 Runout Information (etched)
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 | Canada | Motown M 764DFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Canada | Motown M 764 S2 / Motown M 764DFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Canada | Tamla Motown M 764DFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Japan | Motown SJET-9535-6First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Japan | Motown SJET-9535-6 / Tamla Motown SJET-9535-6First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown 2 STML 6110First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Spain | Motown S-50.023/24First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Motown M 764DFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Motown M 764DFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Motown M 764DFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Motown M 764D DJFirst yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Motown M 764DFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Motown M 764DFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Spain | Motown 28.109-XDLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1976 | Spain | Motown 28109XDLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of The Best Of The Four Tops are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1973 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and more. One of them is Motown M 764D.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M 764D, M 764D DJ, M 764 S2, SJET-9535-6) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M 764D-13A I CB C4RS-7649 and M 764D-13B IC LP C4RS-7650. 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.
