Vinyl pressings
by Frank Zappa · 1981
You Are What You Is 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.
18 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 13 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.
(PW2-37537)-37538-AS-SM-1 Jh kdisc A3 SXT S 2Side A, etched, variant 1
(PW2-37537)-37539-AS-SM-2 Jh kdisc A7 SXT S 2Side B, etched, variant 1
(PW2-37537)-37539-BS-SM-4 Jh kdisc B5 SXT S 1Side C, etched, variant 1
(PW2-37537)-37538-BS-SM-3 Jh kdisc B SXT S 1Side D, etched, variant 1
(PW2-37537)-37538-AS-SM-1 kdisc JH D3 S 2Runout, variant 1, Side A, etched
(PW2-37537)-37539-AS-SM-3 kdisc JH B2 S 2Runout, variant 1, Side B, etched
(PW2-37537)-37539-BS-SM-5 kdisc JH A4 S 1Runout, variant 1, Side C, etched
(PW2-37537)-37538-BS-SM-1 SX kdisc JH B2 S 2Runout, variant 1, Side D, etched
TI AS-1294-A-TH-3 k-disk ƒ
k-disk ƒ TI AS-1294-B-TH-1
CBSS-88560-A1 Kdisc ƒ1 Side1Runout side A, variant 1
CBSS-88560-B1 Kdisc ƒ1 Side2Runout side B, variant 1
CBSS-88560-C1 Kdisc ƒ1 Side3Runout side C, variant 1
CBSS-88560-D1 Kdisc ƒ1 Side4Runout side D, variant 1
PW-37538-SA1 kdisc f Side 1Side 1 variant 1
PW-37538-̶S̶4̶B̶1̶ B-1 kdisc f Side 4Side 2 variant 1
PW-37538̶9-S̶2̶-A-1 kdisc f Side 2Side 3 variant 1
PW-37538̶9-S̶2̶-A-1 kdisc f Side 2Side 4 variant 1
MX200542 SBP237708-1 Kdisc ƒ Side 1.Deadwax, Side A, Stamped
MX200543 SBP237708-2 Kdisc ƒ Side 2Deadwax, Side B, Stamped
MX200544 SBP237708-3 Kdisc ƒ Side 3.Deadwax, Side C, Stamped
∆ MX200545 SBP237708-4 Kdisc ƒ Side 4.Deadwax, Side D, Stamped
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 S2BP 220244First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Australia | CBS S2BP 220244First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | Barking Pumpkin Records PW2 37537 / Epic PW2 37537First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS CBS 88560 / CBS 88560First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | CBS CBS 88560First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Israel | CBS 88560First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | CBS CBS 88560First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 40AP 2217~8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 40AP 2217~8First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | CBS S2BP 220244 / Barking Pumpkin Records S2BP 220244First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Portugal | CBS CBS 88560First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | South Africa | CBS agp 115/116First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | CBS S 88560First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records PW2 37537First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records AS 1294First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
26 vinyl pressings of You Are What You Is are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1981 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Barking Pumpkin Records PW2 37537.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PW2 37537, AS 1294, 88560, S2BP 220244) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, (PW2-37537)-37538-AS-SM-1 Jh kdisc A3 SXT S 2 and (PW2-37537)-37539-AS-SM-2 Jh kdisc A7 SXT S 2. 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.
