Vinyl pressings
by Lamont Dozier · 1973
Fish Ain't Bitin' was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 5 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.
16566-S-② ABC-11438-A SSSS 1[Variant 1] Side A Runout Etching
16567-S-① ABC-11438-B- SSSS 1[Variant 1] Side B Runout Etching
ABC-11438-A- 1̶6̶4̶6̶6̶ S̶ ⑥ 16566-S[Variant 2] Side A Runout Etching
ABC-11438-B- 1̶6̶4̶6̶7̶ S̶ ⑤ 16567-S[Variant 2] Side B Runout Etching
(45-16566-S)Side A Label
(45-16567-S)Side B Label
45-16566-SSide A Label
45-16567-SSide B Label
T1Both sides
ABC-11438-16566-M-8 16566-M DCM sA-Side Runout
16566-S-2 ABC-11438-A 1̶6̶4̶6̶4̶-̶S̶ 2̶ DCM ssB-Side Runout
45-16566-MSide A Label
45-16566-SSide B Label
(ABC-11438-A)Side A Label
(ABC-11438-B)Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | ABC/Dunhill Records ABC-11438First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Germany | Probe 1 C 006-95 682First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Probe PROBE 87First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | South Africa | Probe PROJ 3015First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | US | ABC Records ABC-11438First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1973 | US | ABC Records ABC-11438First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1973 | US | ABC Records ABC-11438First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1973 | US | ABC Records ABC-11438First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1974 | France | Probe 2C 008-95.7607", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | ABC Records ABC 40037", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | ABC Records ABC-120127", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | ABC Records ABC 40037", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | ABC Records ABC-120127", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Fish Ain't Bitin' are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and more. One of them is ABC Records ABC-11438.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ABC-11438, 1 C 006-95 682, PROBE 87, PROJ 3015) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 16566-S-② ABC-11438-A SSSS 1 and 16567-S-① ABC-11438-B- SSSS 1. 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.
