Vinyl pressings
by Ringo Starr · 1971
It Don't Come Easy was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
65 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 31 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.
7YCE 21542 A-1USide A runout, stamped variant 1
7YCE 21542 A-1U HP KTSide A runout, stamped variant 2
PECKOSide A runout, etched
7YCE 21543 B-1USide B runout, stamped variant 1
7YCE 21542 A-1U PECKO LR KT 3Side A runout, variant 1
7YCE 21543 B-1U PP KT 1 PORKYSide B runout, variant 1
7YCE 21542 A-1U PECKO MT KT 6Side A runout, variant 2
7YCE 21543 B-1U AM KT 2 PORKYSide B runout, variant 2
7YCE 21542 A-1UStamped runout - side A
7YCE 21543 B-1UStamped runout - side B
PECKOEtched runout - side A
PORKYEtched runout - side B
7YCE 21542 A-1U PECKOSide A runout, stamped. "PECKO" etched
7YCE 21543 B-1U PORKYSide B runout, stamped. "PORKY" etched
7YCE 21542 A-1U PECKOSide A runout, stamped exc. "PECKO", etched, variant 1
7YCE 21543 B-1U PORKYSide B runout, stamped exc. "PORKY", etched, variant 1
7YCE 21542 A-1U PECKO GRA KT 6Side A runout, stamped exc. "PECKO", etched, variant 2
7YCE 21543 B-1U RRG KT 1 PORKYSide B runout, stamped exc. "PORKY", etched, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Unknown | Apple Records R5898 / Apple Records R 5898First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Argentina | Apple Records DTOA 8712First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Argentina | Apple Records DTOA 8712First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Australia | Apple Records APPLE-9474First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Australia | Apple Records APPLE-9474First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | Belgium | Apple Records 4C 006 04791 MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Brazil | Apple Records 7BT-52First year7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1971 | Canada | Apple Records 1831First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Canada | Apple Records 1831First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Chile | Apple Records APPLE 25First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Denmark | Apple Records R 5898First year7" | 7" |
| 1971 | Finland | Apple Records R 5898First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Finland | Apple Records R 5898First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | France | Apple Records 2C 006-04791 MFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | France | Apple Records 2C 006-04 791First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | US | Capitol Records 18317", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1983 | US | Capitol Records 18317", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1986 | US | Capitol Records 18317", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1988 | US | Capitol Records 18317", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Angola | Parlophone 8E 006-04 791 M7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Barbados | Parlophone R 58987", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records B 18317", Stereo | 7", Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records 1831 / Capitol Records 18317", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Chile | Apple Records Apple 257", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Chile | Apple Records Apple 257", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Greece | Apple Records R 58987", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Israel | Parlophone R58987", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Lebanon | Apple Records R. 58987", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| ? | Philippines | Apple Records PAL-609707", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| ? | Venezuela | Odeon 1697", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
87 vinyl pressings of It Don't Come Easy are listed here, from 37 countries, released between 1971 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, US, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Apple Records R5898, released April 9, 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use R5898, R 5898, 1831, 1C 006-04 791) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7YCE 21542 A-1U and 7YCE 21542 A-1U HP KT. 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.
