Vinyl pressings
by Gilbert O'Sullivan · 1973
Out Of The Question / Everybody Knows was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 2 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.
XDR-52230-4... BellSound sf 30658Side A etched, BellSound stamped, var 1
XDR-48214-4 S BellSound sf 30680Side B etched, BellSound & S within circle stamped, var 1
XDR-52230-2... Bell Sound sf 31607[backwards]Side A etched, Bell Sound stamped, var 2
XDR-48214-2... Ƨ[circled] Bell Sound sf 30522Side B etched, BellSound & S within circle stamped, var 2
XDR 52230 -.10..A side deadwax - etched
XDR-48214:10B side deadwax - etched
Bell Sound(stamped) sƒ(etched)On both sides of deadwax
XDR-52230-14A
XDR-48214-14B
XDR-52230 -1... Bell Sound sf 30256Runout A, variant 1
XDR-48214-4 Bell Sound sf Ƨ 30254Runout B, variant 1
XDR-52230-1... Bell Sound sf 30228Runout A, variant 2
XDR-48214-3... Bell Sound sf Ƨ 30246Runout B, variant 2
XDR-52230-11 Bell Sound tFSide A runout
XDR-48214-12 Bell Sound tFSide B runout
XDR-52230-11 TISide A runout, etched
XDR-48214-12Side B runout, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | US | MAM 45-3628First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1973 | Canada | MAM MAM. 3628First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | MAM 45-3628First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1973 | US | MAM 45-3628First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | MAM 45-3628First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | MAM 45-3628First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1973 | US | MAM MAM 3628First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | US | MAM MAM 3628First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | US | MAM 45-3628First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1973 | US | MAM 45-3628-DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
10 vinyl pressings of Out Of The Question / Everybody Knows are listed here, from 2 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Canada. One of them is MAM 45-3628, released February 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-3628, MAM 3628, 45-3628-DJ, MAM. 3628) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XDR-52230-4... BellSound sf 30658 and XDR-48214-4 S BellSound sf 30680. 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.
