Vinyl pressings
by Ohio Players · 1973
Ecstasy was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. 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 1973, the album's first year, in 5 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.
T1 WB-2021-A-1 MHCSide A runout, variant 1
T1 WB-2021-B-1 MHC VSide B runout, variant 1
T1 WB-2021-A-1 MHC D2Side A runout, variant 2
T1 WB-2021-B-1 MHC A5Side B runout, variant 2
WB-2021-A Z-5 MHC 1 ✲Runout side A
WB-2021-B Z-5 MHC 1 ✲Runout side B
(WB 2021 A)Label side A
(WB 2021 B)Label side B
p WB-2021-A 1 M HC 3 ARunout side A
p WB-2021-B x M HC 1 B1Runout side B
WB 2021 ALabel side A
WB 2021 BLabel side B
WB - 2021 - ASide A runout
WB - 2021 - BSide B runout
P WB-2021-A MHCSide A runout
P WB-2021-B MHCSide B runout
WB 2021 ASide A label
WB 2021 BSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Unknown | Westbound Records SEWA 026First yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | Brazil | One Way WB 2021First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | Westbound Records 9198-2021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Bellaphon BLPS 19171First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Westbound Records SEWA 026First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Westbound Records WB 2021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Westbound Records WB 2021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Westbound Records WB 2021First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Westbound Records WB 2021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Westbound Records WB 2021First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Westbound Records WB 2021First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Uruguay | Westbound Records WB 2021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Westbound Records W-222LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Westbound Records SEWA 026LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Westbound Records SEWA 026LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Westbound Records W-222LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Ecstasy are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1973 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Brazil, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Westbound Records WB 2021.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WB 2021, SEWA 026, 9198-2021, BLPS 19171) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 WB-2021-A-1 MHC and T1 WB-2021-B-1 MHC V. 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.
