Vinyl pressings
by Pacific Gas & Electric · 1970
Are You Ready? 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.
40 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 20 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.
ZS S 153474-1H TIIA side runout; Variant 1
ZS S 153475-1G TIIIIB side runout; Variant 1
ZS S 153474-1D TIIA side runout; Variant 2
ZS S 153475-1G TIIIIB side runout; Variant 2
ZS S 153474-1B PA side deadwax - stamped
ZS S 153475-1A pB side deadwax - stamped
ZSS 153474-1B pA side runout stamped
ZSS 153475-1E pB side runout stamped
ZSS 153474A side label
ZSS 153475B side label
ZS S 153474-1G SA-side runout
ZS S 153475-1F SB-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Argentina | CBS 22.246First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Australia | CBS BA-221743First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Benelux | CBS 5039 / CBS 4-45158First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Benelux | CBS 5039 / CBS 4-45158First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1970 | Benelux | CBS 5039First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Brazil | CBS 33649First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Canada | Columbia 4-45158First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Costa Rica | CBS 10480First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1970 | France | CBS 5039First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1970 | France | CBS 5039First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | France | CBS 5039First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Germany | CBS 5039First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Germany | CBS 5039First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Greece | CBS BA 301278First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Italy | CBS 5039First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
43 vinyl pressings of Are You Ready? are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1970 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is Columbia 4-45158, released April 22, 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4-45158, S 5039, CBSA 82072, 22.246) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZS S 153474-1H TII and ZS S 153475-1G TIIII. 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.
