Vinyl pressings
by Rufus & Chaka Khan · 1977
Ask Rufus was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 15 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 AB-975-A-4 B4Runout Side A, variant 1
T1 AB-975-B-4 B4Runout Side B, variant 1
T1 AB-975-A-④Runout Side A, variant 2
T1 AB-975-B ④Runout Side B, variant 2
AB-975-A 18 > GOLRunout Side A
AB-975-B 17 > GOLRunout Side B
/ AB-975-A 15(in circle) >Runout Side A, variant 1
AB-975-B 15(no circle)Runout Side B, variant 1
/ AB-975-A ⑮ >Runout Side A, variant 2
AB-975-B ⑯Runout Side B, variant 2
AB-975-A-① A 2SRunout A
AB-975-B ② A 2SRunout B
AB-975-ALabel A
AB-975-BLabel B
AB-975-A ⑩ > PRCVariant 1 runout, side A
AB-975-B 10 ⑩ > PRCVariant 1 runout, side B
AB-975-A ⑪ > 1-1 PRCVariant 2 runout, side A
AB-975-B-11-1-1 ⑪ > PRCVariant 2 runout, side B
AB-975-A ⑨ PVariant 1: Runout side A etched, P stamped
AB-975-B ⑦ PVariant 1: Runout side B etched, P stamped
AB-975-A ⑦ PVariant 2: Runout side A etched
AB-975-B ⑦ PVariant 2: Runout side B etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Brazil | Phonodisc 6-26-404-058First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Canada | ABC Records 9022-975First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | MCA Records MAB 975First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | ABC Records 28 561 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | MCA Records 0062.741 / MCA Records (0703.148)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Greece | ABC Records AB - 975First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Israel | ABC Records AB-975First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | ABC Records ABC 463First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | ABC Records YX-8060-ABFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | ABC Records YX-8060-ABFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | ABC Records 28 194 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Singapore | ABC Records AB-975 / ABC Records AB975First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | ABC Records 171172/7First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | ABC Records ABCL 5203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | ABC Records AB-975 / ABC Records ABCL 52503First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-4081LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-4081LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Peru | ABC Records 0000975.0LP, Album | LP, Album |
30 vinyl pressings of Ask Rufus are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1977 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and more. One of them is ABC Records AB 975, released January 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AB 975, AB-975, AB975, ABCL 5203) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 AB-975-A-4 B4 and T1 AB-975-B-4 B4. 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.
