Vinyl pressings
by Lou Courtney · 1973
What Do You Want Me To Do / Beware 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.
10 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 2 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.
Ƨ JR 100 A R-1 6-12-73 31927 [STERLING]A-Side Runout Etching
31946 JR 100 B R-1 6-12-73 [STERLING]B-Side Runout Etching
R-100-AA-Side Label
R-100-BB-Side Label
ZSS-159068-1A [STERLING]Runout, side A, etched, except [stamped]
ZSS-159069-1BRunout, side B, etched
ZSS 159068Label side A
ZSS 159069Label side B
JR 100 A-1-1-1 STERLING P.R.A-Side Runout Etching
JR 100 B-1-1-1 P.R. STERLING DB-Side Runout Etching
R-100-AA-Side Label
R-100-BB-Side Label
ZSS-159068-1F SSS STERLINGA side runout
ZSS-159069-1F SSSB side runout
ZSS 159068Label side A
ZSS 159069Label side B
ZSS 159068-1DStereo side (etched)
JZSP 159067-1CMono side (etched)
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 | Quality 2080XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | Rags R-100First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Epic 5-11062First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | US | Epic 5-11062First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Epic 5-11062First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Rags R-100First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Epic 5-11062First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | Epic 5-11062 / Rags 5-11062First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | US | Epic 5-11062First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1973 | US | Rags R-100-A, R-100-AMFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
10 vinyl pressings of What Do You Want Me To Do / Beware are listed here, from 2 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Canada. One of them is Rags R-100.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use R-100, 5-11062, R-100-A, R-100-AM, 2080X) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Ƨ JR 100 A R-1 6-12-73 31927 [STERLING] and 31946 JR 100 B R-1 6-12-73 [STERLING]. 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.
