Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Cash · 1969
A Boy Named Sue 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.
35 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 18 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.
4460-1 (~ short wave underline)Runout side A, variant 1
4460-B (~ short wave underline)Runout side B, variant 1
4460-1 2Runout side A, variant 2
4460-B 2Runout side B, variant 2
4460̰-1Runout side A etched
4460̰-BRunout side B etched
ZSP 151004-1Label side A
ZSP 151003-2Label side B
p ° J ZSP-151004-1FA side, runout, etched / p and ° stamped (variant 1
p ° JZSP-151003-1FB side, runout, etched / p and ° stamped (variant 1
ZSP-151004-1E 5 10A Side, runout, stamped (variant 2
ZSP-151003-1E B3 PB Side, runout, stamped (variant 2
ZSP-151004-1B TIEtched, Runout Side A, variant 1
ZSP-151003-1A TIEtched, Runout Side B, variant 1
ZSP-151004-1A M TIIEtched, Runout Side A, variant 2
ZSP-151003-1A M TIIEtched, Runout Side B, variant 2
ZSP151004-1 SSSSSS[Variant 1] Stamped Side A, except SSSSSS etched
ZSP151003-1K SI[Variant 1] Stamped Side B, except SI etched
ZSP-151004-1D[Variant 2] A Side, etched
ZSP-151003-1D S1[Variant 2] B Side, etched
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 | CBS BA-221671First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Canada | Columbia 4-44944First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Denmark | CBS 4460First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Germany | CBS 4460First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Germany | CBS 4460First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | India | CBS 4-44944First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | Japan | CBS/Sony CBSA 82017First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1969 | Japan | CBS/Sony CBSA 82017First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1969 | Netherlands | CBS 4460First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461243First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Norway | CBS 4460 / CBS CBS 4460First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Portugal | CBS 4460First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Rhodesia | CBS SSC.1028First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Scandinavia | CBS 4460 / CBS CBS 4460First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Scandinavia | CBS 4460 / CBS CBS 4460First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Spain | CBS 44607", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | UK | CBS 44607", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Repress |
| 1977 | US | Columbia 13-331777", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | UK | Old Gold OG 91807", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia 4-331777", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Canada | Columbia 13-331777", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Columbia 4-331777", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Canada | Columbia 4-331777", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS S CBS 1152 / CBS 44607", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Israel | CBS 44607", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | CBS S CBS 11527", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Old Gold OG 91807", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 11527", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Old Gold OG 91807", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 11527", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Columbia 4-331777", Reissue, 45 RPM | 7", Reissue, 45 RPM |
| ? | US | Collectables 33177 / Columbia 331777", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia 13-331777", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia 13-331777", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
55 vinyl pressings of A Boy Named Sue are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1969 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in Netherlands, US, UK, France and more. One of them is CBS 4460, released August 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4460, 4-44944, BA-221671, CBSA 82017) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 4460-1 (~ short wave underline) and 4460-B (~ short wave underline). 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.
