Vinyl pressings
by Marvin Gaye · 1964
What Good Am I Without You 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.
12 pressings came out in 1964, the album's first year, in 3 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.
RK4M-- 2691-1-B B1 RA side run-out stamped
RK4M-- 2692-1-B A2 RB side run-out stamped
DM AXB-100111 RK4M 2691A side center label
DM ALL-094318 RK4M 2692B side center label
DM AXB-100111A-side label
DM ALL-094318B-side label
RK4M--2691-1-ERunout stamp, A side
RK4M--2692-1-ERunout stamp, B-side
DM AXB-100111A-side label and runout etching (w/o DM prefix)
DM ALL-094318B-side label and runout etching (w/o DM prefix)
AXB-100111 ARP Nashville Matrix 10 RK4M-2694-1-BA-side runout
ALL-094318 ARP Nashville Matrix 10 RK4M-2692-1-BB-side runout
DM AXB-100111A-side label
DM ALL-094318B-side label
RK4M--2691-1-B AXB-10011 Nashville Matrix 10A-side runout
RK4M--2692-1-B ALL-094318 Nashville Matrix 10B-side runout
DM AXB-100111A-side label
DM ALL-094318B-side 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 | Canada | Tamla T-54104First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1964 | UK | Stateside SS 363First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1964 | US | Tamla TAMLA 54104First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1964 | US | Tamla T-54104First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1964 | US | Tamla TAMLA 54104First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1964 | US | Tamla Tamla 54104First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | US | Tamla 54104First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | US | Tamla T-54104First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | US | Tamla TAMLA 54104First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1964 | US | Tamla T-54104First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1964 | US | Tamla T-54104First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | UK | Stateside SS 363First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of What Good Am I Without You are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Tamla T-54104, released September 30, 1964.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T-54104, TAMLA 54104, Tamla 54104, 54104) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RK4M-- 2691-1-B B1 R and RK4M-- 2692-1-B A2 R. 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.
