Vinyl pressings
by Ryuichi Sakamoto · 1978
Thousand Knives Of = 千のナイフ was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year. 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.
YX-7586A-2 Ⓑ D5Side A, stamped (Variant 1)
YX-7586-B-3 B3Side B, stamped (Variant 1)
YX-7586A-2 Ⓑ A2 〄Side A, stamped (Variant 2)
YX-7586B-2 Ⓑ A5 〄Side B, stamped (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Japan | Better Days YX-7586-NDFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Better Days YX-7586-NDFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | Better Days YX-7586-NDLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Europe | Plexus KMH 709225LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Japan | Better Days COJY-9236LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Japan | Better Days COJY-9300LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2019 | France | Wewantsounds WWSLP24LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | US | Wewantsounds WWSLP024BLU-LPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | US | Wewantsounds WWSLP024CLR-LPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | France | Wewantsounds WWSLP24LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Thousand Knives Of = 千のナイフ are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1978 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Japan. One of them is Better Days YX-7586-ND, released October 25, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use YX-7586-ND) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YX-7586A-2 Ⓑ D5 and YX-7586-B-3 B3. 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.
