Vinyl pressings
by Jethro Tull · 1972
Thick As A Brick Part I + II 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.
11 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 8 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.
10 AA6155002 1W 320A-side runout area, variant 1
10 AA6155002 2W 320B-side runout area, variant 1
10 AA6155002 1W 320 1 HA-side runout area, variant 2
10 AA6155002 2W 320 1 HB-side runout area, variant 2
10 AA6155002 1W 320A-side runout area
10 AA6155002 2W 320B-side runout area
AA 6155 002.1 WA-side center label
AA 6155 002.2 WB-side center label
CHRP+1003+AStampede Side A
CHRP+B1003+BStampede Side B
6155 002. 1Label side A
6155 002. 2Label side B
6E006-93455-AMatrix Side A
6E006-93455-BMatrix Side B
6E 006-93455-ARunout Side A
6E 006-93455-BRunout Side B
KFM CHA 104 ASide A
KFM CHA 104 BSide B
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 | Austria | Chrysalis 6155 002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Denmark | Chrysalis 6E 006-93455First yearSingle, 7", Stereo | Single, 7", Stereo |
| 1972 | France | Chrysalis CHA 104First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | France | Chrysalis CHA 103First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | France | Chrysalis CHA 1047", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1972 | France | Chrysalis CHA 1037", Single, Promo, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing, Promo | 7", Single, Promo, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing, Promo |
| 1972 | Germany | Chrysalis 6155 002First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Chrysalis 6155 002First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Italy | Chrysalis 010 1003First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 5C 006-93455 / Chrysalis 5C 006-93 455First yearSingle, 7", Stereo | Single, 7", Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 5C 006-93 455 / Chrysalis 5C 006-93455First yearSingle, 7", Stereo | Single, 7", Stereo |
| 1972 | Sweden | Chrysalis 4E 006-93455First yearSingle, 7", Stereo | Single, 7", Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | Chrysalis CHRP 1003First year7", Single, Promo, White Label · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, White Label · Promo |
13 vinyl pressings of Thick As A Brick Part I + II are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in Germany, UK, Austria, Denmark and more. One of them is Chrysalis 6155 002.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6155 002, CHRP 1003, 6E 006-93455, CHA 104) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 10 AA6155002 1W 320 and 10 AA6155002 2W 320. 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.
