Vinyl pressings
by Ronnie Lane & Slim Chance · 1973
How Come? was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 8 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.
GMS 011 A//1 420 0 1 1 22Variant 1, A-side runout
GMS 011 B//1 420 0 1 1 18Variant 1, B-side runout
GMS 011 A//1 420 0 1 1 14Variant 2, A-side runout
GMS 011 B//1 420 0 1 1 14Variant 2, B-side runout
GMS 011 PPN 4976 1Y 380 CIDISA side runout
GMS 011 PPN 4976 2Y 380 CIDISB side runout
GMS 011AA-side label
GMS 011BB-side label
GMS 011 A // 1 420 0 1 1 16A side runout, variant 1
GMS 011 B // 1 420 0 1 1 23B side runout, variant 1
GMS 011 A // 1 420 0 1 1 21A side runout, variant 2
GMS 011 B // 1 420 0 1 1 11B side runout, variant 2
A&M2647-S M2 L MR ∆94229Side A Runout
A&M2648-S M1 MR ∆94229-XSide B Runout
2647-SSide A Label
2648-SSide B Label
A&M 2647-S M2 94229Stereo Side Runout [Variant 1]
A&M 2647 M2 94228Mono Side Runout [Variant 1]
A&M 2647-S M2 L [MR in a circle] △94229Stereo Side Runout, etched (logo stamped) [Variant 2]
A&M 2647 M2 R [MR in a circle] △94228Mono Side Runout, etched (logo stamped) [Variant 2]
6078 103 1 380 CIDIS A2Stamped side A
6078 103 2 380 CIDIS PStamped 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | France | Philips 6078 103First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Philips 6078 104First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Ireland | Philips GMS 011First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Philips 6078 104First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Portugal | Philips 6078 103First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Scandinavia | Philips 6078 104First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | GM Records GMS 011First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | UK | GM Records GMS 011First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | A&M Records 1524 / A&M Records 1524-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1973 | US | A&M Records AM1524 / A&M Records 1524-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | GM Records GMS 011First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Australia | Philips 6078 1037", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1974 | Italy | Philips 6078 1037", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Philips 6078 1037", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | UK | GM Records And Tapes Ltd. GMS 90447", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of How Come? are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1973 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, France, Germany and more. One of them is GM Records GMS 011, released November 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GMS 011, AM1524, 1524, 6078 103) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GMS 011 A//1 420 0 1 1 22 and GMS 011 B//1 420 0 1 1 18. 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.
