Vinyl pressings
by Rosanne Cash · 1981
Seven Year Ache was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
T1 PAL-36965-1AD 6 TML-S C 0Runout, Etched, Side 1, Variant 1
T1 PBL-36965-1E 1 2 TML-S FRunout, Etched, Side 2, Variant 1
T1 [eyelash] PAL-36965-1AD 16 TML-S DRunout, Etched, Side 1, Variant 2
[eyelash] T1 PBL-36965-1E 13 TML-S FRunout, Etched, Side 2, Variant 2
HAL 46965Matrix Side A
HBL $6965Matrix Side B
HAL-46965-1A COLUMBIA NYRunout Side A, Stamped
T2Runout Side A, Etched
PAL-36965-1NRunout side A, variant 1
PBL-36965-1K "GOODBYE JOHN"Runout side B, variant 1
PAL-36965-1K TML-S PRunout side A, variant 2
PBL-36965-1D "Goodbye John" PRunout side B, variant 2
1S PAL-36965-1B TML-S B6Side 1 Etched TML-S Stamped
1S PBL-36965-1A TML-M A5Side 2 Etched TML-M Stamped
s PAL 36965-1AF TML-X A5Side 1 variant 1 Etched TML-X Stamped
P O PBL-36965 - 1K TML-M "Goodbye John"Side 2 variant 1 Etched TML-M Stamped
PAL-36965-1N TML-S FRunout, Etched ("TML-S F" stamped), Side 1 (Variant 1)
PBL-36965-1H R C TML-X D PRunout, Etched ("TML-X D P" stamped), Side 2 (Variant 1)
PAL-36965-1K TML-SRunout, Etched ("TML-S" stamped), Side 1 (Variant 2)
PBL-36965-1H TML-XRunout, Etched ("TML-X" stamped), Side 2 (Variant 2)
PAL-36965-1C TML-MRunout A etch; TML-M stamp
PBL-36965-1C TML-M BRunout B etch; TML-M B stamp
AL 36965Label A
BL 36965Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Ariola VPL1 6575First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Ariola 203 469 / Ariola 203 469-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Ariola 203 469 / Ariola 203 469-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Ariola K28P-162First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Japan | Ariola K28P-162First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Ariola VPL1 6575First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Ariola I-203 469 / Ariola 203 469-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Ariola ARL 5066First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Columbia JC 36965First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Columbia HC 46965First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Columbia JC 36965First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia JC 36965First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia JC 36965First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Columbia JC 36965First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia PC 36965First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Africa | RCA/Ariola ARL 8005LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 36965LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 36965LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of Seven Year Ache are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia JC 36965.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 36965, HC 46965, PC 36965, ARL 5066) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 PAL-36965-1AD 6 TML-S C 0 and T1 PBL-36965-1E 1 2 TML-S F. 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.
