Vinyl pressings
by Sly & The Family Stone · 1972
Smilin' was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 7 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.
ZSP-156386-1ASide A Runout, Variant 1
ZSP-156387-1ASide B Runout, Variant 1
ZSP-156386-1A pSide A Runout, Variant 2
ZSP-156387-1C pSide B Runout, Variant 2
ZSP-156386-1D TRunout, Side A
ZSP-156387-1E T1111Runout, Side B
ZSP-56386-1F T11A side runout, etched
ZSP-156387-1F [STERLING] T1B side runout, etched, [stamped]
ZSP 156386
ZSP 156387
ZSP 156386-1AScribed Side A
ZSS 156388-1BScribed Side B
JZSP 156386Label Side A
JZSS 156388Label Side B
ZSP-156386-1H. SRunout A
JZSS-156388-1J SRunout B
JZSP 156386Label A
JZSS 156388Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Epic ES-116First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Epic 5-10850First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Germany | Epic EPC S 8018First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Epic EPC S 8018First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Japan | Epic ECPA-28First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Japan | Epic ECPA-28First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Epic EPC 8018First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Epic ESO.7054First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | US | Epic 5-10850First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | US | Epic 5-10850First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Epic 5-10850First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | Epic 5-10850First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | Epic 5-10850First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1972 | US | Epic 5-10850First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
14 vinyl pressings of Smilin' are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Australia, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Epic 5-10850.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5-10850, ES-116, EPC S 8018, ECPA-28) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSP-156386-1A and ZSP-156387-1A. 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.
