Vinyl pressings
by Richard Strauss · 1968
Also Sprach Zarathustra was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 4 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.
ZAL-8520-6GSide 1 runout Stamped variant 1
ZAL-8521-4GSide 2 runout Stamped variant 1
ZAL-8520-6G BU JT 1Side 1 runout Stamped variant 2
ZAL-8521-4G UN JT 1Side 2 runout Stamped variant 2
ZAL-8520-6G UC JT 1Side A stamped variant 1
ZAL-8521-4G HI JT 10Side B stamped variant 1
ZAL-8520-11G UM 2BSide A stamped variant 2
ZAL-8521-9G KB 2BSide B stamped variant 2
CS6609 A ZAL 8520 Sw TcARunout, Etched, Side A
CS6609 B ZAL 8521 Sw TcARunout, Etched, Side B
ZAL.8520Label, Side A
ZAL.8521Label, Side B
ZAL-8520-2G C JT 1Side 1 Runout Stamped
ZAL-8521-2G U JT 1Side 2 Runout Stamped
{ZAL.8520} (Upside-down)Side 1 Label
{ZAL.8521} (Upside-down)Side 2 Label
ZAL-8520-11G UM 2DSide A Stamped
ZAL-8521-9G UI 2DSide B Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Canada | London Records CS 6609 / London Records CS.6609First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | France | Decca 7.112 / Decca SXL 6.379First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Spain | Decca SXL 6379First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | London Records CS.6609 / London Records CS 6609First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | London Records CS.6609 / London Records CS 6609First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | London Records CS 6609 / London Records SW 92069First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | London Records CS.6609 / London Records CS 6609First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | London Records CS.6609 / London Records CS 6609First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Japan | London Records SLA-1007LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Japan | London Records L18C 5002LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Decca SXLM 6379 / Decca SXLM.6379LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | South Korea | Decca SXL 6379LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Decca SXL 6379LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Decca SXL 6379 / Decca SXL.6379LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Japan | London Records K38C-70006LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | London Records LLC 5311LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | London Records CS 6609 / London Records CS.6609LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | London Records CS 6609 / London Records CS.6609LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | France | Decca 7112 / Decca SXL 6379LP | LP |
| ? | Israel | PAX IST 609ALP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 6379LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 6379LP, Repress | LP, Repress |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 6379 / Decca SXL.6379LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 6379LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 6379LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 6379LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 6379LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records CS 6609LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records CS 6609LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
29 vinyl pressings of Also Sprach Zarathustra are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1968 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Canada, France, Spain. One of them is London Records CS.6609.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CS.6609, CS 6609, 7.112, SXL 6379) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-8520-6G and ZAL-8521-4G. 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.
