Vinyl pressings
by James Brown · 1973
The Payback 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.
12 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 6 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.
PD-14223-AS-2B-1-1 PR STERLING RLRunout area side A, variant 1
PD-14223-BS-2B 1-1 PR [symbol looks like a teardrop or a leaf]Runout area side B, variant 1
PD-14223-AS-2B-1-1 PR STERLING RLRunout area side A, variant 2
PD-14223-BS-1B 1-1 PR [symbol looks like a teardrop or a leaf]Runout area side B, variant 2
(PD 14223 A) 2066 431Label A
(PD 14223 B) 2066 431Label B
PD-14223-AS-ID [lathe] STERLING RLA-Side Runout Etching
PD-14223-BS-ID [lathe]B-Side Runout Etching
PD-14223-AA-Side Label
PD-14223-BB-Side Label
PL-14223-P̶D̶-̶1̶4̶2̶2̶3̶-AS-1B-1-1 PR STERLING RL DRunout area side A
PD-14223-BS-2B 1-1 PR [unknown 'teardrop' symbol]Runout area side B
PD 14223 ALabel side A
PD 14223 BLabel side B
PD 14223 ALabel side A
PD 14223 BLabel side B
PD 14223-P̶D̶-̶1̶4̶2̶2̶3̶-AS-1B-1-11 PR STERLING RL DA-Side Runout Etching
PD-14223-BS-1B-1-1 PR DB-Side Runout Etching
PD 14223 AA-Side Label
PD 14223 BB-Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Belgium | Polydor 2066 431First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Polydor PD 14223First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Polydor PD-14223First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Polydor 2066 431First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Jamaica | Polydor PD/14223 / Polydor 2066 431First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Polydor 2066 431First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Polydor PD 14223First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1973 | US | Polydor PD 14223First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1973 | US | Polydor PD-14223First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Polydor PD 14223First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1973 | US | Polydor PD 14223First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1973 | US | Polydor PD 14223First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1974 | Brazil | Polydor 2066 4317", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Brazil | Polydor 2066 4317", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1974 | France | Polydor 2066 4317", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Guatemala | Polydor 142237", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Polydor 811 653-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Collectables COL 44267", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
23 vinyl pressings of The Payback are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Belgium, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Polydor PD 14223.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD 14223, PD-14223, 2066 431, PD/14223) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PD-14223-AS-2B-1-1 PR STERLING RL and PD-14223-BS-2B 1-1 PR [symbol looks like a teardrop or a leaf]. 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.
