Vinyl pressings
by Harold Melvin And The Blue Notes · 1972
If You Don't Know Me By Now 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.
22 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 9 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.
ZS7-3520-3 2AA side deadwax, etched, [2A in a circle], variant 1
p ZS7-3520-4 1AB side deadwax, etched, [1A in a circle], variant 1
p ZS7-3520-3 3AA side deadwax, etched, [3A in a circle], variant 2
p ZS7-3520-4 3AB side deadwax, etched, [3A in a circle], variant 2
ZS7-3520-3 [3C in a circle] sssssRunout Side A, etched
ZS7-3520-4 [3C in a circle] ssRunout Side B, etched
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.Runout both sides, stamped
ZS7-3520-3 [4C in a circle]Variant: Runout Side A, etched
ZS7-3520-3 [12B in a circle]Runout Side A, etched
ZS7-3520-4 [12B in a circle]Runout Side B, etched
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.Runout both sides, stamped
ZS7 3520-3Label Side A
ZST-3520-3 [1B in a circle] MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA T11 TSide A runout, variant 1
ZST-3520-A [1B in a circle] MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA T111 TSide B runout, variant 1
ZST-3520-3 [1B in a circle] MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA T1111111 TSide A runout, variant 2
ZST-3520-A [1B in a circle] MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA T111111 TSide B runout, variant 2
ZS7-3520-3-1-11 (7B) [MASTERD AT FRANKFORD WAYNE PHILA] PRSide A runout, etched, except [stamped]
ZS7-3520-4-1-11 (7B) [MASTERD AT FRANKFORD WAYNE PHILA] PRSide B runout, etched, except [stamped]
ZS7 3520-3Side A label
ZS7 3520-4Side B label
T ZST-3520-3 1B MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA ARPSide A runout 1B(circled)
T ZST-3520-4 1B MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA ARPSide B runout, variant 1
ZS7 3520-3Side A label
ZS7 3520-4Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | CBS BA-221948First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Columbia ZS7 3520 / Philadelphia International Records ZS7 3520First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Germany | Epic EPC S 8453First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Germany | Epic EPC S 8453First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Jamaica | Philadelphia International RecordsFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Japan | Epic ECPA-64First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Epic EPC 8453First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Epic EPC 8453 / Epic EPC S 8453First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Epic BAC 461429First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | UK | CBS CBS S 8496First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | UK | CBS CBS S 8496First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | CBS CBS S 8496First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS7 3520First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1972 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS7 3520First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS7 3520First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | CBS ZS7-35207", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| ? | US | Philadelphia International Records Zs7 37527", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS7 35207", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
30 vinyl pressings of If You Don't Know Me By Now are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1972 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Philadelphia International Records ZS7 3520, released September 11, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZS7 3520, ZS7 5320, CBS S 8496, BA-221948) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZS7-3520-3 2A and p ZS7-3520-4 1A. 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.
