Vinyl pressings
by Santo & Johnny · 1965
Thunderball was first pressed on vinyl in 1965. 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 1965, the album's first year, in 4 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.
BB-03145x45-A 3-12-65Runout area side A - Var. 1
BB-03145x45-B 3-12-65Runout area side B - Var. 1
BB-03145-A 2-12-65Runout area side A - Var. 2
BB-03145-B 2-12-65Runout area side B - Var. 2
BB-03145 ARunout area side A
BB-03145 BRunout area side B
BB. 03145 ASide A, label
BB. 03145 BSide B, label
BB-03145 ARunout area side A
BB-03145 BRunout area side B
BB. 03145 ALabel Side A
BB. 03145 BLabel Side B
BB. 03145 ALabel Side A
BB. 03145 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Canada | United Artists Records UA 970First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Italy | Bluebell Record BB. 03145 / Bluebell Record bb 03145First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1965 | Italy | Bluebell Record BB. 03145First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1965 | Italy | Bluebell Record BB. 03145 / Bluebell Record bb 03145First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1965 | Italy | Bluebell Record BB. 03145 / Bluebell Record bb 03145First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1965 | Italy | Bluebell Record BB. 03145First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1965 | Netherlands | Mercury 154400First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Netherlands | Bluebell Record BB. 03145 / Bluebell Record bb 03145First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1965 | US | United Artists Records UA 970First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1965 | US | United Artists Records UA 970First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1965 | US | United Artists Records UA 970First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Mercury 940127", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of Thunderball are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in Italy, US, Canada, Netherlands. One of them is Bluebell Record BB. 03145.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BB. 03145, UA 970, 154400) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BB-03145x45-A 3-12-65 and BB-03145x45-B 3-12-65. 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.
