US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Epic 8-50357
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
ZSS162911-1ASide A Runout Stamped
ZSS162912-1ASide B Runout Hand Etching
ZSS 162911Side A Label
ZSS 162912Side B Label
Vinyl pressings
Black Betty
by Ram Jam · 1977
71 pressings21 countriesHard RockClassic RockRock
Black Betty 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Black Betty
39 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 18 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.
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Epic 8-50357
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo · Pitman Pressing
- Runout / matrix
ZSS162911-1A pSide A Runout Stamped
ZSS162912-1A pSide B Runout Hand Etching
ZSS 162911Side A Label
ZSS 162912Side B Label
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Epic 8-50357
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Terre Haute Pressing
- Runout / matrix
ZSS162911-1D TSide A runout stamped, variant 1
T ZSS162912-2ASide B runout etched, variant 1
ZSS162911-1C TSide A runout stamped, variant 2
T1 ZSS162912-1DSide B runout etched, variant 2
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Epic 8-50357
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Santa Maria Pressing
- Runout / matrix
ZSS162911-1E SRunout A, stamped
ZSS162912-1F SRunout B, etched
ZSS 162911Side A label
ZSS 162912Side B label
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Epic ASF 321
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Epic 8-50357
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono
- Runout / matrix
ZSP 162910Side A Label
ZSS 162911Side B Label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 71 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s46 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | Epic 40.112First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Australia | Epic ES 223First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Canada | Epic 8-50357First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Epic 8-50357First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Epic 8-503577", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo |
| 1977 | Colombia | Epic 49138First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Costa Rica | Epic 45218First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Costa Rica | Epic 45218First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Costa Rica | Epic 45218First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | France | Epic EPC 5492First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Germany | Epic EPC S 5492 / Epic EPC 5492First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Epic EPC S 5492First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Germany | Epic EPC S 5492First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Greece | Epic EPC 5492First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Greece | Epic EPIC A 2124First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
1980s10 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Germany | Epic EPC S 5492 / Epic EPC 54927", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Epic EPCA 21407", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | Epic EPCA 45007", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1985 | Europe | Epic EPCA 5492 / Epic EPC 54927", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Epic EPCA 5492 / Epic EPC 54927", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Epic EPCA 5492 / Epic EPC 54927", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Epic 655430 77", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Germany | Epic 655430 6 / Epic EPC 655430 612", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | Spain | Epic ARIE 24057", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Spain | Epic 655430 612", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
1990s12 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Australia | Epic 655430 612", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | UK | Epic 655430 612", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1990 | UK | Epic 655430 612", 45 RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1990 | UK | Epic 655430 612", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | US | Epic 49H 7319512", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1990 | US | Epic 49H 7319512", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1990 | UK | Epic 655430 77", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | UK | Epic 655430 77", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | Australia | Epic 655430 612", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Australia | Epic 655430 77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1994 | France | Versailles VER 660499 612", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1994 | France | Versailles SAMP 219912", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
Year unknown3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Colombia | Discos Monje 01017", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | France | Versailles SAMP 230812", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| ? | France | Versailles 660 499 77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
Tracklist
- ABlack Betty2:32
- BI Should Have Known4:45
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Black Betty are there?
71 vinyl pressings of Black Betty are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1977 and 1994.
When was Black Betty first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Epic 8-50357.
How do I tell if my copy of Black Betty is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 8-50357, ASF 321, S EPC 5492, ES 223) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS162911-1A and ZSS162912-1A. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Black Betty on vinyl worth?
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.
