Vinyl pressings
by Iron Butterfly · 1969
Ball was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
32 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 15 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.
ST-C-681497 - B DT AT XEtched in runout A, variant 1
ST-C-681498 - B DT AT XEtched in runout B, variant 1
0 CT ST-C-681497-1C T X PRunout A, variant 2
0 ST C681498-1A CT T PRunout B, variant 2
ST-C-681497 - B DT AT △12916 XEtched runout side A, variant 1
ST-C-681498 - B DT AT △12916-X XEtched runout side B, variant 1
ST-C-681497 - B DT AT △12916 AG XEtched runout side A, variant 2
ST-C-681498 - B DT AT △12916-Y RJ XEtched runout side B, variant 2
ST-C-681497-1B T CTSide A Etched Runout [Variant 1]
ST-C-681498-1C T CTSide B Etched Runout [Variant 1]
ST-C-681497-1C T CTSide One Runout Stamp [Variant 2]
ST-C-681498-1C T CTSide Two Runout Stamp [Variant 2]
ST-C-681497-B 13 DT AT XA side runout etched, variant 1
ST-C-681498-B-1 DT AT 11 XB side runout etched, variant 1
ST-C-681497-B-1 13 DT AT AG XA side runout etched, variant 2
ST-C-681498-B-1 DT AT 11 RI XB side runout etched, variant 2
STC 681497MG IS [Runout A etched except [ stamped variant
STC 681498MG IS [Runout B etched except [ stamped variant
ST-C-681497Label Side A
ST-C-681498Label Side B
ST-C-681497-B-1 13 DT AT XSide A, runout
ST-C-681498-B-1 DT AT 11 XSide B, runout
ST-C-681497-MGSide A, label
ST-C-681498-MGSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Atlantic SAL-933,196First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Brazil | ATCO Records ALP 605.021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Canada | ATCO Records SD 33-280First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Canada | ATCO Records SD 33-280First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Canada | ATCO Records SD 33-280First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Canada | ATCO Records SD 33-280First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Canada | ATCO Records SD 33-280First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Canada | ATCO Records SD 33-280First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | France | ATCO Records ATCO-3038First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Germany | ATCO Records SD 33-280First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Germany | ATCO Records SD 33-280LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1969 | Germany | ATCO Records SD 33-280First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Greece | ATCO Records 206 004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Italy | Atlantic ATS ST 06023First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Japan | Atlantic SMT-1068First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Costa Rica | Atlantic Studios 33-001LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Germany | ATCO Records SD 33-280 / Atlantic ATCO SD 33-280LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Yugoslavia | Suzy ATL 40 070 / Atlantic 40070LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Midi MID20021LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Mexico | Atlantic ATS-07LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Peru | Atlantic SD 33-280LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | South Korea | Taedo EU 203LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
41 vinyl pressings of Ball are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1969 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is ATCO Records SD 33-280.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 33-280, 228 011, SAL-933,196, ALP 605.021) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-C-681497 - B DT AT X and ST-C-681498 - B DT AT X. 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.
