Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Cash · 1969
If I Were A Carpenter 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.
6 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 2 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.
ZSP 151126-1A TIIIIIRunout side A, var. 1
ZSP 151127-1A TIIIIIIRunout side B, var. 1
ZSP 151126-1A TIIRunout side A, var. 2
ZSP151127-1H TIIIIRunout side B, var. 2
ZSP 151126A-side label
ZSP 151127B-side label
P ZSP 151126-1ESide A runout
ZSP 151127-1E PSide B runout
ZSP 151126Side A label
ZSP 151127Side B label
JZSP 151126Side A label
JZSP 151127Side B label
JZSP 151126-1F 3 pA-side runout
ZSP 151127-1E 2 pB-side runout
JZSP 151126A-side label
JZSP 151127B-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | South Africa | CBS SSC.1050First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | US | Columbia 4-45064First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | US | Columbia 4-45064First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Columbia 4-45064First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | Columbia 4-45064First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1969 | US | Columbia 4-45064First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | CBS BA 2217167", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Canada | Columbia 4-450647", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Germany | CBS 47547", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Germany | CBS-Blitzinformation 47547", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Netherlands | CBS 4754 (4-45064)7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Norway | CBS 4754 / CBS CBS 47547", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Spain | CBS 47547", Single | 7", Single |
| 1970 | UK | CBS 47547", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Columbia 4-450647", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Columbia 4-450647", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | UK | CBS 47547", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | UK | CBS 47547", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Jamaica | CBS 4-45064 / CBS ZSP 1511267", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Japan | CBS/Sony CBSA-82049 / CBS/Sony CBSA 820497", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | Thailand | CBS 4-450647", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
21 vinyl pressings of If I Were A Carpenter are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1969 and 1970.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, South Africa. One of them is Columbia 4-45064, released December 22, 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4-45064, SSC.1050) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSP 151126-1A TIIIII and ZSP 151127-1A TIIIIII. 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.
