Vinyl pressings
by Nas · 1994
It Ain't Hard To Tell was first pressed on vinyl in 1994. 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 1994, 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.
XSS-77320-A-1B MASTERDISKSide A runout, variant 1
XSS-77320-B-1ASide B runout, variant 1
XSS-77320-A-1C MASTERDISKSide A runout, variant 2
XSS-77320-B-1ASide B runout, variant 2
XSS-77320-A-1BRunout etchings side A
XSS-77320-B-1ARunout etchings side B
MASTERDISKStamped runout side A
XSS 77320ALabel side A
01-660470-20-1A 1 AA-side runout
01-66⁰470-20-1B 1 AB-side runout
01 660470 21 1A1 ASide A runout
01 660470 21 1B1 ASide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Europe | Columbia 660470 6First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1994 | Europe | Columbia 660470 8 / Columbia 01-660470-21First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1994 | Europe | Columbia 660302 6First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1994 | UK | Columbia SAMP 2248 6First year12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1994 | US | Columbia 44 77320First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1994 | US | Columbia CAS 6037First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1994 | US | Columbia ACD-77320First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | US | Columbia LP-010012", Reissue | 12", Reissue |
| 2004 | US | Columbia LP-010012", Single, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 12", Single, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Unknown | Old Chillin' OC 0037", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Not On Label NAS 282912", Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
11 vinyl pressings of It Ain't Hard To Tell are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1994 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1994, in US, UK, Europe. One of them is Columbia 44 77320.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 44 77320, ACD-77320, CAS 6037, SAMP 2248 6) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS-77320-A-1B MASTERDISK and XSS-77320-B-1A. 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.
