Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Mathis · 1978
Too Much, Too Little, Too Late 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.
37 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 21 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.
T ZSS-163592-1E [TML-M]Runout, side A, etched, except [stamped]
T ZSS-163593-1E [TML-M]Runout, side B, etched, except [stamped]
ZSS 163592Label Side A
ZSS 163593Label Side B
T11 T ZSS-163592-1E TML-MRunout, side A, etched except TML-M, stamped
T ZSS-163593-1E TML-MRunout, side B, etched except TML-M, stamped
ZSS 163592Label matrix, side A
ZSS 163593Label matrix, side B
P ZSS-163592-1D [TML-S]Side A Runout, etched [stamped]
P ZSS-163593-1D [TML-S]Side B Runout, etched [stamped]
ZSS 163592Side A Label
ZSS 163593Side B Label
S I ZSS-163592-1GRunout side A variation 1
S I ZSS-163593-1A TML-MRunout side B variation 1
ZSS-163592-1A TML-M sRunout side A variation 2
ZSS-163593-1A TML-M s1Runout side B variation 2
ZSS-163592-1E TML-M TRunout matrix A side
ZSS 164212 1F TML-S T111Runout matrix B side
ZSS 163592A side label matrix
ZSS 164212B side label matrix
ZSS 163592-1H △104460Label matrix, side A
ZSS 163593-1A TML-M △104660-XLabel matrix, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | CBS BA 222380First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Brazil | CBS 33978 / Discos CBS 33978First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | Columbia 3-10693First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | Columbia 3-10693First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Costa Rica | CBS 11894First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Europe | CBS CBS 6164First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | CBS CBS 6164First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Germany | CBS CBS S 6164 / CBS CBS 6164First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Germany | CBS CBS 6164First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Greece | CBS CBS 6164First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Ireland | CBS CBS 6164First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Italy | CBS CBS 6164First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Italy | CBS JC 115First year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox |
| 1978 | Jamaica | Columbia 3-10693First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Japan | CBS/Sony 06SP 234First year7" | 7" |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | CBS BA 2223807", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | US | Columbia 3-106937", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene |
39 vinyl pressings of Too Much, Too Little, Too Late are listed here, from 21 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Columbia 3-10693, released February 21, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3-10693, S CBS 6164, BA 222380, 33978) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T ZSS-163592-1E [TML-M] and T ZSS-163593-1E [TML-M]. 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.
