Vinyl pressings
by Link Wray · 1973
Be What You Want To 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.
9 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.
PD-5047-A-1A IAM STERLING RLSide A runout
PD-5047-B-1A IAM STERLING RLSide B runout
PD 5047-ASide A label
PD 5047-BSide B label
PD-5047-A-1C MR △17655 1 RL STERLINGRunout side A
PD-5047-B-1C 2 MR △17655-X 4 RL STERLINGRunout side B
PD 5047 ALabel side A
PD 5047 BLabel side B
PD-5047-A-1A IAM STERLING RLRunout A etched; STERLING stamped
PD-5047-B-1A IAM STERLING RLRunout B etched; STERLING stamped
PD 5047-ALabel A
PD 5047-BLabel B
PD-5047-A-1C (in circle) MR △17655 (in circle) I RLSide A etched
PD-5047-B-1C 2 (in circle) MR △17655-X (in circle) 4 RLSide B etched
STERLINGSide A & B stamped
PD 5047 A 2391 063Label A
2391063 A//1▽420 1 1 3 04Runout side A, stamped
2391063 B//1▽420 1 2 1 04Runout side B, stamped
PD-5047-A Y.C O —C— OSide A runout etched
PD-5047-B Y.C O —C— OSide B runout etched
PD 5047-ASide A label
PD 5047-BSide 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 | Polydor PD5047First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | France | Polydor 2391 063First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Polydor 2391 063First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Germany | Polydor 2391 063First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Polydor 2391063LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1973 | UK | Polydor 2391 063 / Polydor 2391-063First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Polydor PD5047 / Polydor 2391 063First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Polydor PD5047First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Polydor PD 5047 / Polydor 2391 063First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Polydor PD5047 / Polydor 2391 063LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1973 | US | Polydor PD 5047First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | France | Polydor 2391 063LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | UK, Europe & US | Tidal Waves Music TWM08 / Republic Records B0025913-01LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
13 vinyl pressings of Be What You Want To are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1973 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Polydor PD5047.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD5047, PD 5047, 2391 063) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PD-5047-A-1A IAM STERLING RL and PD-5047-B-1A IAM STERLING RL. 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.
