Vinyl pressings
by Johnnie Taylor · 1973
Cheaper To Keep Her 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.
11 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 4 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.
STXS-0648-2 SS-01297 PP - L.NIX -Side A Runout
STXS-0649-2 SS-01298 PP - L.NIX -Side B Runout
SS-01297-PLSide A Label
SS-01298-PLSide B Label
STXS-06249-10 SS-01297 -L.NIX-Runout, side A
STXS-06249-10 SS-01298 -L.NIX-Runout, side B
SS-01297Label, side A
SS-01298Label, side B
T SS-01297-2 -L NIX- STXS-0648-14A side runout
T SS-01298-1 -L NIX- STXS-0649-13B side runout
SS-01297A side label
SS-01298B side label
-L.NIX-Scrawled in runouts
SS-01297Label A
SS-01298Label B
SS-01297-PLLabel, side A
SS-01298-PLLabel, side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | Stax STA-0176First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Stax 2025 213First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | US | Stax STA-0176First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | Stax STA-176First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1973 | US | Stax STA-0176First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | Stax STA-0176First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Stax STA-0176First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Stax STA-01767", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1973 | US | Stax STA-0176First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Stax STA-0176First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Australia | Stax 2025 213First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | Stax STA-0176First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
12 vinyl pressings of Cheaper To Keep Her are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Australia, Canada, Germany. One of them is Stax STA-0176, released September 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STA-0176, STA-176, 2025 213) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STXS-0648-2 SS-01297 PP - L.NIX - and STXS-0649-2 SS-01298 PP - L.NIX -. 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.
