Vinyl pressings
by Frank Zappa · 1979
Sheik Yerbouti 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.
40 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 15 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.
SRZ-2-1501-A-CP-3 MASTERDISK RLSide A runout, Variant 1
SRZ-2-1501-B-CP-4 MASTERDISK RLSide B runout, Variant 1
SRZ-2-1501-C-CP-4 MASTERDISKSide C runout,, Variant 1
SRZ-2-1501-D-CP-3 MASTERDISK RLSide D runout,, Variant 1
SRZ-2-1501-A-CT-6 MASTERDISK RLSide A, Variant 1
SRZ-2-1501-B-CT-7 MASTERDISK RLSide B, Variant 1
SRZ-2-1501-C-CT-1 MASTERDISC RLSide C, Variant 1
SRZ-2-1501-D-CT-1Side D, Variant 1
SRZ-2-1501-A-PR1 MASTERDISK RLSide A
SRZ-2-1501-D-PR2 MASTERDISK RLSide D
SRZ-2-1501-B-PR1 MASTERDISC RLSide B
SRZ-2-1501-C-PR2 MASTERDISK RLSide C
SRZ-2-1501-A PR-2-11-1 MASTERDISK RLSide A Runout, Variant 1
SRZ-2-1501-B-PR-1-1-11-6 PRC MASTERDISK RLSide B Runout, Variant 1
SRZ-2-1501-C-PR-1-1-18 PRC MASTERDISK RLSide C Runout, Variant 1
SRZ-2-1501-A PR-2-1-1-1-41 PRC MASTERDISK RLSide D Runout, Variant 1
1S SRZ-2-1501-A-CT-7 ASide A label
1S SRZ-2-1501-B-CS-9 MASTERDISK RL A5Side B label
2S SRZ-2-1501-C-CS-6 MASTERDISK RL A5Side C label
2S SRZ-2-1501-D-CS-8 MASTERDISK RL A3Side D label
SRZ-2-1501-A-CS-8 MASTERDISK RL +2 S2A side runout, variant 1
SRZ-2-1501-B-CS-5 MASTERDISK RL B6 S2B side runout, variant 1
SRZ-2-1501-C-CS 6 MASTERDISK RL B2 S1C side runout, variant 1
SRZ-2-1501-D-CS-7 MASTERDISK RL C3 S2D side runout, variant 1
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 | Argentina | Epic ALS 4387 / Epic 47.176/77First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Argentina | Epic 47.176/77 / Epic 47.176First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Australia | CBS S2BP 220210First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Zappa Records MIPD-2-9357First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Zappa Records SRZ-2-1501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Greece | CBS CBS 88339 / CBS 88339First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | CBS CBS 88339First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | CBS CBS 88339 / CBS 88339First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | CBS/Sony 40AP 1357~8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Portugal | CBS 88339 / CBS CBS 88339First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | South Africa | CBS AGP 55/56First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | South Africa | CBS AGP 55/56First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | CBS S 88339First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | CBS 88339 / CBS CBS 88339LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | UK | CBS CBS 88339 / CBS 88339First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Europe | EMI 1C 2LP 164 26 0810 3LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI EME.260810 / EMI EME.260811LP, Album, Remastered, Reissue, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Remastered, Reissue, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI EME.260810 / EMI EME 260810/11LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI EME.260810 / EMI EME.260811LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 1986 | Brazil | EMI 31C 164 260810/11LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 1986 | New Zealand | EMI EMC 277 / EMI EMC 278LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 1986 | UK | EMI EN 5001 / EMI E 50011LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 1986 | UK | EMI EN 5001 / EMI E 50011LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 1987 | Greece | EMI 064-2608101/111LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Europe | Zappa Records ZAPPA 28LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | US | Zappa Records ZR 3859-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2015 | Europe | Zappa Records ZR 3859-1 / Zappa Records ZR3859-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Europe | Zappa Records ZR 3859-1 / Zappa Records ZR3859-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records STBK 6530LP, Album, Remastered | LP, Album, Remastered |
| ? | Canada | Zappa Records MIPD-2-9357LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | EMI 1C 2LP 164 26 0810 3 / EMI 164 26 0810 3LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 88339 / CBS 88339LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Israel | EMI EN 5001LP, Album, Remastered | LP, Album, Remastered |
| ? | UK & Europe | CBS 88339 / CBS CBS 88339LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
62 vinyl pressings of Sheik Yerbouti are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1979 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Zappa Records SRZ 2-1501, released March 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SRZ 2-1501, SRZ-2-1501, MK-78, 88339) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRZ-2-1501-A-CP-3 MASTERDISK RL and SRZ-2-1501-B-CP-4 MASTERDISK 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.
