Vinyl pressings
by Meat Loaf · 1977
Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 6 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.
ZSS∙I64040-ID T IIRunout A, etched, variant 1
T ZSS I63692-IH T IIIRunout B, etched, variant 1
ZSS∙I64040-IC 2MCR T IIRunout A, etched, variant 2
T ZSS I63692-IH T IIIIRunout B, etched, variant 2
T ZSS-164737-1A SterlingSide A runout
T ZSS-163692-1H SterlingSide B runout
ZSS 164737Side A label
ZSS 163692Side B label
ZSS 164040-1J S1Variant 1 Side A Stamped, exc [S1] Etched
ZSS 163692-1G S1Variant 1 Side B Etched
ZSS 164040-1E MCR SC SSSSSVariant 2 Side A Etched
ZSS 163692-1G SSSSVariant 2 Side B Etched
ZSS 164737-1G SSide A Runout, etched
ZSS 163692-1G SSide B Runout, etched
ZSS 164737Side A Label
ZSS 163692Side B Label
P ZSS-164737-1ESide A etched variant 1
P ZSS 163692-1AASide B stamped variant 1
ZSS-164737-1ESide A etched variant 2
p ZSS 163692-1BSide B stamped variant 2
ZSS∙I64040-IK ∆104586Runout A
ZSS∙I64040-IK ∆104585Runout B
ZSS 164040Label A
ZSS 163692Label B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | Epic 40131First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Australia | Epic ES 288First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Australia | Epic ES 288First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Canada | Epic 8-50513 / Cleveland International Records 8-50513First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Epic 8-50513 / Cleveland International Records 8-50513First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Epic 8-50513 / Cleveland International Records 8-50513First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Colombia | Epic 49175First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | US | Epic 8-50513 / Cleveland International Records 8-50513First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1977 | US | Epic 8-50513 / Cleveland International Records 8-50513First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Epic 8-50513 / Cleveland International Records 8-50513First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1977 | US | Epic 8-50513 / Cleveland International Records 8-50513First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Epic 8-50513 / Cleveland International Records 8-50513First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1977 | US | Epic 8-50513 / Cleveland International Records 8-50513First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Epic 8-50513First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1977 | US | Epic 8-50513 / Cleveland International Records 8-50513First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | UK | Epic 657491 7 / Cleveland International Records 657491 77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Epic E4-1063 / Cleveland International Records E4-10637", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Epic 8-50513 / Cleveland International Records 8-505137", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
27 vinyl pressings of Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1977 and 1992.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Argentina, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Epic 8-50513.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 8-50513, 40131, ES 288, 49175) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS∙I64040-ID T II and T ZSS I63692-IH T III. 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.
