Vinyl pressings
by MC Tunes · 1990
The Only Rhyme That Bites was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1990, the album's first year, in 4 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.
ZANG-3-(T) A MTRunout side A, variant 1
ZANG-3-(T) AA1 MTRunout side AA, variant 1
ZANG-3(T) A-1 5 MT ACRunout side A, variant 2
ZANG-3(T) AA-3 4 MT CRunout side AA, variant 2
ZANG-3 (T) A-1 MT DRunout side A
ZANG-3 (T) AA-1 MT DRunout side AA
ZANG- 3 (T) A-1 MTRun-out Etchings Side A
ZANG- 3 (T) AA-1 MTRun-out Etchings Side AA
ZANG-3-A2A side runout etched
ZANG-3-B2AA side runout etched
ZANG-3-A2 LL MTA side runout etched
ZANG-3-B-2- MTAA side runout etched
R/S Alsdorf 903 171670-7-AA side runout stamped
R/S Alsdorf 903 171670-7-B2AA side runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | ZTT ZANG 3T / ZTT 9031-71671-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | UK | ZTT ZANG 3T SAMFirst year12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1990 | Germany | ZTT ZANG 3 / ZTT 9031-71670-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | UK | ZTT ZANG 3 T / ZTT ZANG 3TFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | UK | ZTT ZANG 3 T / ZTT ZANG 3TFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | UK & Europe | ZTT ZANG 3 / ZTT 9031 71670-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | UK & Europe | ZTT ZANG 3 / ZTT 9031-71670-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1999 | UK | ZTT ZTT126T12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1999 | UK | ZTT ZTT125T12", Mispress | 12", Mispress |
| 1999 | UK | ZTT ZTT125T12" | 12" |
10 vinyl pressings of The Only Rhyme That Bites are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1990 and 1999.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in UK, Germany, UK & Europe, Europe. One of them is ZTT ZANG 3 T, released May 21, 1990.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZANG 3 T, ZANG 3T SAM, ZANG 3, ZANG 3T) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZANG-3-(T) A MT and ZANG-3-(T) AA1 MT. 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.
