Vinyl pressings
by Neil Diamond · 1970
I'm A Believer was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1970, 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.
BF 18043 BZ 575-2Runout side A, variation 1, stamped
BF 18043 BZ 576Runout side B, variation 1, stamped
BF 18043 BZ 575-3Runout side A, variation 2
BF 18043 BZ 576Runout side B, variation 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Canada | Bang Records B-586First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Germany | Bellaphon BF 18043First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Sweden | Polar POS 11337", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | UK | President Records PT 3427", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | UK | President Records PT 3427", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | UK | President Records PT 3427", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Bang Records B-5867", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Bang Records B-5867", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Bang Records B-5867", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Bang Records B-5867", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Bang Records B-5867", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | Bang Records B-5867", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Bang Records 1011-5867", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of I'm A Believer are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1970 and 1971.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in Germany, Canada. One of them is Bellaphon BF 18043.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BF 18043, B-586) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BF 18043 BZ 575-2 and BF 18043 BZ 576. 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.
