Vinyl pressings
by Frumpy · 1972
By The Way was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 3 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.
10 AA6360604 1Y 320 B 1Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
10 AA6360604 2Y 320 C 1Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
10 AA6360604 1Y 320 F 1Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
10 AA6360604 2Y 320 E 1Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
10 AA6360604 1Y 320A-side, stamped
10 AA6360604 2Y 320B-side, stamped
AA 6360 604.1 YB-side, center label (for A-side)
AA 6360 604.2 YB-side, center label
200 6360 604 A1Side A Etched Variant 01
200 6360 604 B1Side B Etched Variant 01
200 6360 604 A1 JFSide A Etched Variant 02
200 6360 604 B1 JFSide B Etched Variant 02
6360 604 1=1 * 520 15057 2A-side, stamped
6360 604 2=1 * 520 150572B-side, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Brazil | Vertigo 6360 604First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Vertigo 6360 604First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Italy | Vertigo 6360 604First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Vertigo 6360 604First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Vertigo 6360 604LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1973 | Germany | Vertigo 6360 604LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1973 | US | Billingsgate Records BG-1003 / Billingsgate Records BG 1003LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Billingsgate Records BG-1003LP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Vertigo 6360 604LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Vertigo 6360 604LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Vertigo 6360 604LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of By The Way are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in Germany, Brazil, Italy. One of them is Vertigo 6360 604, released June 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6360 604) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 10 AA6360604 1Y 320 B 1 and 10 AA6360604 2Y 320 C 1. 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.
