Vinyl pressings
by Frank Zappa · 1984
Them Or Us was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
SVBO-74200-As²#1 jm SLM △7194 1-2 818-PUMPKIN OSide A runout etched [variant 1]
SVBO-74200-BS1#1 SLM jm △7194-X 818-PUMPKIN 1-1 OSide B runout etched [variant 1]
SVBO-74200-CS1#1 jm SLM △7195 1-3 818-PUMPKIN OSide C runout etched [variant 1]
SVBO-74200-D-S²#1 jm SLM △7195-X 1-2 818-PUMPKIN OSide D runout etched [variant 1]
SVBO-1-74200-Z2 [Allied logo] B-23570-Z2 jm 0-1 (x-ed out)△12607 1-2 (x-ed out) 0-1 818-PUMPKIN AL-SPSide A runout etched
SVBO-2-74200-Z2 [Allied logo] B-23571 △12607-X SP 1-2 (x-ed out) 818-PUMPKIN AL-SPSide B runout etched
SVBO-3-74200-Z2 [Allied logo] JM B-23572-Z2 △12608 1-2 (x-ed out) 0-1 818-PUMPKIN SP AL-SPSide C runout etched
SVBO-4-74200-Z2 [Allied logo] B-235732 Z2 jm △12608-X SP 1-2 (x-ed out) 0-1 818-PUMPKIN AL-SPSide D runout etched
E 2402341T A-1-1-1- PenthouseVariant 1, Side A runout, stamped
E 2402341T B-1-1-1- PenthouseVariant 1, Side B runout, stamped
E 2402351T A-1-1-1- PenthouseVariant 1, Side C runout, stamped
E 2402351T B-1-1-1- PenthouseVariant 1, Side D runout, stamped
E 2402341T A-1-1-1- PenthouseSide A runout, stamped
E 2402341T B-1-1-1- PenthouseSide B runout, stamped
E 2402351T A-1-1-1- PenthouseSide C runout, stamped
E 2402351T B-1-1-1- PenthouseSide D runout, stamped
0 2402341-A2+DRunout side A, variant 1
0 2402341-B2+//DRunout side B, variant 1
2402351-A2+//DRunout side C, variant 1
0 2402351-B2+//DRunout side D, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | EMI EMI 8259/60First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Argentina | EMI EMI 8259/60First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Brazil | EMI 31C 164 240234/5First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Capitol Records STBK 6515First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | EMI 2402343 / EMI 2402353First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | EMI 2402343LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Greece | EMI 162 240234 3 / EMI 162-240234 3First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | EMI 2-62 2402343First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | New Zealand | EMI NZ EMC-241 / EMI EMC 241First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Portugal | EMI 2402343 / EMI 240 2341/51First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | South Africa | EMI EMCJD(S) 2402343First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | EMI 164 24 0234 3First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | EMI 164 24 0234 3First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | EMI FZD1 / EMI EN 24 0234 3First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | EMI FZD1 / EMI EN 24 0234 3First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Zappa Records ZAPPA 30LP, Album, Partially Mixed, Reissue | LP, Album, Partially Mixed, Reissue |
32 vinyl pressings of Them Or Us are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1984 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Europe, Israel and more. One of them is Barking Pumpkin Records SVBO 74200, released October 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SVBO 74200, FZD1, FZD 1, 1C 164 Y 24 0234 3) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SVBO-74200-As²#1 jm SLM △7194 1-2 818-PUMPKIN O and SVBO-74200-BS1#1 SLM jm △7194-X 818-PUMPKIN 1-1 O. 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.
