Vinyl pressings
by Gladys Knight And The Pips · 1978
It's A Better Than Good Time was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 1978, the album's first year, in 10 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.
BDA-S-598-A-2 TIRunout, side A, etched
BDAS-598-B- TH2 F/W TIRunout, side B, etched
BDAS 598 ALabel side A
BDAS 598 BLabel side B
BDA-5-598-A-1A 1555A Side Runout Etched
BDAS-598-BS-RE-1B S F/w CS JAB Side Runout Etched
BDAS 598 AA Side Label
BDAS 598 B-REB Side Label
P BDA-S-598-AXRunout, side A, etched
BDAS-598-B CP1 F/WRunout, side B, etched
BDAS 598 ALabel side A
BDAS 598 BLabel side B
p BDA-5-598 AMA runout
p BDA-5-598 AB runout
BDA 598 AA label
BDAS 598 AB label
BDA-S̷-598-An1-2 TIA runout
T BDA-S-598-A-1 TIIB runout
BDA 598 AA label
BDAS 598 AB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Buddah Records 2011 308First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | Buddah Records BDA 598XFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | France | Buddah Records 107-45.BDA.184First year7" | 7" |
| 1978 | Ireland | Pye Records BDS 478-AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Japan | Buddah Records SFL-2345First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Japan | Buddah Records SFL-2345First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Mexico | Trebol TI 70291First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1978 | Spain | Buddah Records MO 1822First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Buddah Records BDSL 478-12 / Buddah Records BDSL 478First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Buddah Records BDS 478First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | US | Buddah Records DSC 126First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Buddah Records BDA 598First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1978 | US | Buddah Records BDA 598First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | US | Buddah Records BDA 598First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Buddah Records BDA 598First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Italy | Buddah Records DSC 13012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2014 | Unknown | Buddah Records DSC 13012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2017 | UK | Buddah Records DSC 130P12", Reissue | 12", Reissue |
24 vinyl pressings of It's A Better Than Good Time are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1978 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Italy, Australia and more. One of them is Buddah Records BDA 598.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BDA 598, DSC 126, BDS 478, BDSL 478-12) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BDA-S-598-A-2 TI and BDAS-598-B- TH2 F/W TI. 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.
