Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Cash · 1964
Understand Your Man / Dark As A Dungeon was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. 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 1964, the album's first year, in 7 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-76795-1A TIRunout side A, variant 1
ZSP-76794-1A TIRunout side B, variant 1
ZSP-76795-1B TIRunout side A, variant 2
ZSP-76794-1B TIRunout side B, variant 2
J ZSP-76795-1GA runout
ZSP-76794-1EB runout
ZSP 76795A label
ZSP 76794B label
ZSP-76795-1E III oSide A runout
ZSP-76794-1F II I oSide B runout
ZSP 76795Side A label
ZSP 76794Side B label
JZSP 76795A-side label
JZSP 76794B-side label
J ZSP-76795-1HDeadwax A
J ZSP-76794-1HDeadwax B
C-468-353A label
C-468-354B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Australia | CBS BA-221091First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Canada | Columbia 4-42964First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Netherlands | CBS 1.506First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1964 | New Zealand | CBS BA-461040First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Norway | CBS AAG 200First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | US | Columbia 4-42964First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 1964 | US | Columbia 4-42964First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1964 | US | Columbia 4-42964First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1964 | US | Columbia 4-42964First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | US | Columbia 4-42964First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1964 | Japan | Columbia LL-602-CFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
11 vinyl pressings of Understand Your Man / Dark As A Dungeon are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US, Japan, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia 4-42964, released January 1964.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4-42964, LL-602-C, BA-221091, 1.506) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSP-76795-1A TI and ZSP-76794-1A TI. 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.
