Vinyl pressings
by Rhinoceros · 1970
Better Times Are Coming 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.
13 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 9 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.
T 1 EKS 74075 A-1 CTHEtched Side A
T 1 EKS 74075 B-1 CTHEtched Side B
T 1 EKS 74075 A CTHVariation Etched Side A
T 1 EKS 74075 - B CTHVariation Etched Side B
EKS 74075-A MON (MR) ⊠14786 ①Run out side A / etched [except (MR)]
EKS 74075 B MON (MR) ⊠14786-X ①Run out side B / etched [except (MR)]
EKS-74075-ALabel side A
EKS-74075-BLabel side B
EKS 74075 A CP ^ 3Etched Side A
EKS 74075 B CP ^ 3Etched Side B
EKS-74075-ALabel Side A
EKS-74075-BLabel Side B
EKS 74075 A CPEtched Side A [variant 1]
EKS 74075 B CPEtched Side B [variant 1]
P EKS 74075 A CP A 3Side A etched exc. P,A,3 stamped [variant 2]
P EKS 74075 B CP A 3Side B etched exc. P,A,3 stamped [variant 2]
2469006 A//1 1 1Side A runout
2469006 B//1 1 2Side B runout
EKS 74075 AEtched Side A
EKS 74075 BEtched Side B
EKS-74075-ALabel Side A
EKS-74075-BLabel Side B
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 | Australia | Elektra EKS 74075First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Canada | Elektra EKS 74075First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | France | Elektra EKS 74075 / Elektra EKS. 74075First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Germany | Elektra EKS-74075 / Elektra EKS 74 075First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Japan | Elektra SJET-8269First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Japan | Elektra SJET-8269First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Elektra EKS 74075First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Elektra 2469 006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Elektra EKS 74075First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Elektra EKS 74075First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Elektra EKS 74075First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Elektra EKS-74075First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Venezuela | Epic ES-6054First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Italy | Elektra EKS 74075LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Elektra 42 049LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Elektra EKS 74075LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Elektra EKS 74075LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Better Times Are Coming are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1970 and 1971.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Elektra EKS 74075.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EKS 74075, EKS-74075, 2469 006, SJET-8269) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T 1 EKS 74075 A-1 CTH and T 1 EKS 74075 B-1 CTH. 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.
