Vinyl pressings
by George Harrison · 1974
Dark Horse was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 11 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.
X-48945 Z4#3A-Side Runout, variant 1
X-48946 Z4#4B-Side Runout, variant 1
X-48945 Z4 #3 —◁A-Side Runout, variant 2
X-48946 Z4 #5 —◁B-Side Runout, variant 2
X-48945 Z4#3A-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
X-48946 Z4#4B-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
X-48945 Z4 #3 —◁A-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
X-48946 Z4 #5 —◁B-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
S45-X48945Label A
S45-X48946Label B
X-48945 z1 1877 #1Runout A version 1
X-48946 z1 1877 #3Runout B version 1
X-48945 z1 1877 #2 ORunout A version 2
X-48946 z1 1877 #2 ORunout B version 2
X-48945 Z1 1877 #1Side A
X-48946 Z1 1877 #7Side B
ƧubSide A
S45-X48945Side A Label
X-48945-Z-5Side A Runout, Etched
X-48946-Z5Side B Runout, Etched
1Side A Runout, Stamped
✲Side B Runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Belgium | Apple Records 4 C 006-05809First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Brazil | Apple Records S7BT-82First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Apple Records 1877First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Apple Records 1C 006-05 766First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Japan | Apple Records EAR-10716First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Apple Records 5C 006-05809First year7" | 7" |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Apple Records NZP 3493First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | Peru | Apple Records 01.08.438First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Philippines | Apple Records PAL-61118 (6001)First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | Portugal | Apple Records 8E 006 05809 GFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Apple Records 1877First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | US | Apple Records P-1877First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1974 | US | Apple Records 1877First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | US | Apple Records 1877First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Apple Records P-18777", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
36 vinyl pressings of Dark Horse are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Belgium, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Apple Records 1877, released November 18, 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1877, P-1877, 4 C 006-05809, S7BT-82) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, X-48945 Z4#3 and X-48946 Z4#4. 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.
