Vinyl pressings
by Frank Zappa · 1981
Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 4 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.
01-66368-1A-1 Kdisk ƒ Side 1. AA-side runout, variant 1
01-66368-6B-1 Kdisk ƒ Side 2. AB-side runout, variant 1
01-66368-1C-1 Kdisk ƒ Side 3. AC-side runout, variant 1
01-66368-4D-1 Kdisk ƒ Side 4. AD-side runout, variant 1
T1 BPR-1112 - A - 1B A6 kdisc JhSide A runout, etched, "A" stamped (variant 1)
T1 BPR-1112 - B - 1A A7 kdisc JhSide B runout, etched, "A" stamped (variant 1)
T1 BPR - 1112 - A - 1B A3 kdisc JhSide A runout, etched, "A": stamped (variant 2)
T2 BPR - 1112 - B - 1A A 2 kdisc JhSide B runout, etched, "A" stamped (variant 2)
T1 BPR-1111 - A - 1A A kdisc JhSide A runout, etched; "A" stamped (variant 1)
T1 BPR-1111 - B - 1B A kdisc JhSide B runout, etched; "A" stamped (variant 1)
T\ BPR - 1111 - A - 1B kdsic Jh B 3Side A runout, etched; "kdisc", "B" stamped (variant 2)
T\ BPR-1111̶A̶ - B - 1A kdisc Jh A 2Side B runout, etched; "kdisc", "A" stamped (variant 2)
TI BPR - 1113 - A - IA kdisc ƒ A²Side A, Variant 1
TI BPR - 1113 - B - IB kdisc ƒ C2Side B, Variant 1
T1 BPR - 1113 - A - 1A kdisc Jh ASide A, etched, "A" stamped, variant 2
T1 BPR - 1113 - B - 1C kdisc Jh A2Side B, etched, "A" stamped, variant 2
T1 BPR-1111 - A - 1A A kdisc JhSide A runout, etched; "A" stamped (variant 1)
T1 BPR-1111 - B - 1B A kdisc JhSide B runout, etched; "A" stamped (variant 1)
T\ BPR - 1111 - A - 1B kdsic Jh B 3Side A runout, etched; "kdisc", "B" stamped (variant 2)
T\ BPR-1111̶A̶ - B - 1A kdisc Jh A 2Side B runout, etched; "kdisc", "A" stamped (variant 2)
MX200546 SBP237710-1Disc 1 A-side run-out stamped
Kdisk ƒ Side 1.Disc 1 A-side run-out hand-etched
MX200547 SBP237710-2Disc 1 B-side run-out stamped
Kdisk ƒ Side 2.Disc 1 B-side run-out hand-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | CBS S3BP 220505First yearLP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| 1981 | Canada | Barking Pumpkin Records CSPS 1784First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Barking Pumpkin Records CSPS 1783 / Barking Pumpkin Records CSPS-1783First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Barking Pumpkin Records CSPS 1785First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS CBS 66368 / CBS 66368First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo, Box Set · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo, Box Set · Limited |
| 1981 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records BPR-1112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records BPR-1111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records BPR-1113 / Barking Pumpkin Records BPR 1113First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records BPR-1111First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Japan | CBS/Sony 60AP 2268~70LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | CBS/Sony 60AP 2268~70LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | New Zealand | CBS S3BP 220505LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records W3X 38289LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1982 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records W3X 38289LP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| 1986 | UK | EMI FZAP 2 / EMI 79 0245 1LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
15 vinyl pressings of Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1981 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Europe, US, Australia, Canada. One of them is CBS CBS 66368.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CBS 66368, BPR-1112, BPR-1111, BPR-1113) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 01-66368-1A-1 Kdisk ƒ Side 1. A and 01-66368-6B-1 Kdisk ƒ Side 2. A. 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.
