Vinyl pressings
by The Isley Brothers · 1969
Doin’ Their Thing was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1969, 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.
X4RS-2705-1 F HRunout side A, stamped
S-1 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K HS-1586-2Runout side A, etched
X4RS-2706-1FE̶ HRunout side B, stamped
S-2 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K HS-1587-2Runout side B, etched
HS-1586-2 X4RS-2705-1
HS-1587-2 X4RS-2706-1
HS-1587-2 S-1 (etched) X4RS-2705-1 (stamped) ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide A runout
HS-1589-2 S-2 (etched) X4RS-2706-1 (stamped) ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide B runout
X4RS-2705Side A label
X4RS-2706Side B label
HS-1586-2 X4RS-2705Matrix side A, on label
HS-1587-2 X4RS-2706Matrix side B, on label
TMS-287 A
TMS-287 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Canada | Tamla Motown TMS287First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1969 | Germany | Tamla Motown STM 287First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1969 | US | Tamla TS287 / Tamla S-287First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1969 | US | Tamla TS287 / Tamla TS 287 DJFirst yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Tamla TS287 / Tamla TS-287First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1969 | US | Tamla TS 287First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1969 | US | Tamla TS287 / Tamla TS-287First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Motown M 5143LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | US | Motown M5-143V1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Motown 230·15·030LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Doin’ Their Thing are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1969 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, Canada, Germany. One of them is Tamla TS287.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TS287, TS 287, TMS287, STM 287) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, X4RS-2705-1 F H and S-1 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K HS-1586-2. 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.
