Vinyl pressings
by George Hamilton IV · 1957
Why Don't They Understand / Even Tho' was first pressed on vinyl in 1957. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1957, the album's first year, in 5 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.
45-ABC-3033 XA-Side Runout Etching variant 1
45-ABC-3035B-Side Runout Etching variant 1
45-ABC-3033A-Side Runout Etching variant 2
45-ABC-3035B-Side Runout Etching variant 2
3033-7A-side runout
3035-8B-side runout
AMP 45-3033A-side label
AMP 45-3035B-side label
AMP 45-3033Side A Label
AMP 45-3035Side B Label
ABC-3033 OSide A, runout
ABC-3035 OSide B, runout
AMP 78-3033Label side A
AMP 78-3035Label side B
AMP 45-3033A-Side Label
AMP 45-3035B-Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Canada | Sparton 505RFirst yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | Japan | ABC-Paramount PS-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1957 | Netherlands | ABC-Paramount 22.013First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | UK | His Master's Voice 45-POP 429First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1957 | UK | His Master's Voice POP. 429First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | UK | His Master's Voice 45-POP 429First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | US | ABC-Paramount 45-9862First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | US | ABC-Paramount 45-9862First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1957 | US | ABC-Paramount 45-9862First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1957 | US | ABC-Paramount 45-9862First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1957 | US | ABC-Paramount 45-9862First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1957 | US | ABC-Paramount 78-9862First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | US | ABC-Paramount 45-9862First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | US | ABC-Paramount 9862First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | Canada | Sparton 4-505R / ABC-Paramount 4-505RFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | W & G WG-SPN-5937", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Australia | W & G WG-SPN-5937", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Norway | Karusell KFF2197", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Roulette GG-1447", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
21 vinyl pressings of Why Don't They Understand / Even Tho' are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1957 and 1958.
The earliest pressings are from 1957, in US, UK, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is ABC-Paramount 45-9862.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-9862, 78-9862, 9862, 45-POP 429) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-ABC-3033 X and 45-ABC-3035. 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.
