Vinyl pressings
by Frank Zappa · 1979
Dancin' Fool 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.
21 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 8 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.
MASTERDISKA-Side Runout, Stamped
2-55095 - CP4 RLA-Side Runout, Hand-etched [Variant 1]
MASTERDISKA-Side Runout [Variant 1]
2 55025 - CP4B-Side Runout, Hand-etched [Variant 1]
2-55095A-Side label matrix - Variant 1
2-55025B-Side label matrix - Variant 1
2-55095 - A - 7 RL SMKA-side label matrix - Variant 2
MASTERDISKA-side label matrix (stamped) - Variant 2
2-55095-CS-5 ssssA-Side Runout, Hand-etched - Variant 1
2∙55025- C̶P̶-̶5̶ CS-5 sB-Side Runout, Hand-etched - Variant 1
2-55095-CS-5 sA-Side Runout, Hand-etched - Variant 2
2∙55025- C̶P̶-̶6 CS-6 ssB-Side Runout, Hand-etched - Variant 2
MASTERDISKA-Side Runout, Stamped
TI 2-55095-CT 1 RLA-Side Runout, Hand-etched [Variant 1]
TI 2-55025-CT 1B-Side Runout, Hand-etched [Variant 1]
2-55095-CS-5 SRunout A
2∙55025- C̶P̶-̶5̶ CS-6 SSRunout B
2-55095Label A
2-55025Label B
T1 MK-83A-side run-out - Variant 1
T2 MK-83B-side run-out - Variant 1
O T1 MK- 83 ̷A̷B̷ - ̷3̷ - 83A - 3 MASTERDISK RLSide A runout - etched [MASTERDISK - stamped] - Variant 2
T1 MK - 83 - B - 2Side B runout - etched - Variant 2
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 | CBS BA 222516First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Australia | CBS BA 222516First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Zappa Records Z-10First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Europe | CBS CBS 7261 / CBS CBS 12.7261First year12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1979 | Europe | CBS CBS 7261First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | CBS CBS S 7261First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Germany | CBS CBS S 7261 / CBS CBS 7261First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 7261First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | New Zealand | CBS BA 222516First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Zappa Records Z-10First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1979 | US | Zappa Records MK-83First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Zappa Records Z-10First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | US | Zappa Records Z-10First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Zappa Records Z-10First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Zappa Records Z-10First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
21 vinyl pressings of Dancin' Fool are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Zappa Records Z-10.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use Z-10, MK-83, S CBS 7261, BA 222516) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MASTERDISK and 2-55095 - CP4 RL. 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.
