Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Cash · 1978
There Ain't No Good Chain Gang was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
ZSS-164516-1C RFS/mc SEtched runout A
ZSS-164517-1C RFS/mc SrEtched runout B Sr opside down
ZSS 164516Side A Label
ZSS 164517Label B
T ZSS-164516-1B RFS/mc TIISide A runout etched
ZSS-164517-1B RFS/mc TIISide B runout etched
ZSS 164516Side A label
ZSS 164517Side B label
ZSS-164516-1-F PM RFS/mc ⧈-G-⧈Etched runout A
ZSS-164517-1E ⧈-G-⧈Etched runout B Sr opside down
ZSS 164516Side A Label
ZSS 164517Label B
T1 ZSS164516-1ORunout side A
T1 ZSS-164517-1GRunout side B
ZSS 164516Side A Label
ZSS 164517Side B Label
ZSS-164516-1D
ZSR-164515-1D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | CBS BA 222422First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Australia | CBS BA 222422First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Canada | Columbia 3-10742First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | Epic 9-50778First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Europe | CBS CBS 6401First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Netherlands | CBS S CBS 6401First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | CBS S CBS 6401First year7" | 7" |
| 1978 | UK | CBS S CBS 6401First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10742First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10742First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10742First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10742First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10742First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10742First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10742First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
16 vinyl pressings of There Ain't No Good Chain Gang are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia 3-10742, released May 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3-10742, S CBS 6401, S CBS 6401, BA 222422) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS-164516-1C RFS/mc S and ZSS-164517-1C RFS/mc Sr. 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.
