Vinyl pressings
by The Firesign Theatre · 1968
Waiting For The Electrician Or Someone Like Him was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 3 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.
⬭ XSM-118779 1-C 1 Λ \ B CA side runout
⬭ XSM-118780 1-C 1 P B1B side runout
XSM- 118779 1-CA side runout, variant 2, etched
⬭ XSM-118780 1-DB side runout, variant 2, stamped
p o XSM- 118779 1-C 1 B 3Side A runout - variant 1
o ̶X̶XSM118780 1D p A 3Side B runout - variant 1
p o XSM- 118779 1-C 1 C 3Side A runout - variant 2
o X̶XSM118780 1D p A 2Side B runout - variant 2
T o XSM- 118780 1-A 1 B 3Side B, runout
XSM118779-1D 1 o T A1Side A, Runout label
XSM118779-1ESide 1
XSM118780-1ESide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Canada | Columbia CS 9518First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1968 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 473505 / CBS CS 9578First yearLP | LP |
| 1968 | US | Columbia CS 9518First yearLP | LP |
| 1968 | US | Columbia CL 2718First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | US | Columbia CS 9518First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Columbia CS 9518First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | US | Columbia CS 9518LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia CS 9518LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 9518LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia CS 9518LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia CS 9518LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia CS 9518LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia CS 9518LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia CS 9518LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of Waiting For The Electrician Or Someone Like Him are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1968 and 1971.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is Columbia CS 9518.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CS 9518, CL 2718, SBP 473505) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ⬭ XSM-118779 1-C 1 Λ \ B C and ⬭ XSM-118780 1-C 1 P B1. 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.
