Vinyl pressings
by The Isley Brothers · 1973
What It Comes Down To was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. 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 1973, 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.
T AD-ZS72252-3 KENDUN(stamped)A Side Runout (Variant 1)
T AD-ZS72252-4 KENDUN(stamped)B Side Runout (Variant 1)
AA-ZS72252-3 KENDUN(stamped)A Side Runout (Variant 2)
AA-ZS72252-4 KENDUN(stamped)B Side Runout (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | CBS BA-222041First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Columbia ZS7 2252 / T-Neck ZS7 2252First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461501First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | US | T-Neck ZS7 2252First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1973 | US | T-Neck ZS7 2252First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | T-Neck ZS7 2252First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Epic EPC 2029 / Epic EPC S 20297", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Germany | Epic EPC S 20297", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Mexico | Epic SC-712447", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Epic EPC 19807", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
10 vinyl pressings of What It Comes Down To are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is T-Neck ZS7 2252, released December 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZS7 2252, BA-222041, BA 461501) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T AD-ZS72252-3 KENDUN(stamped) and T AD-ZS72252-4 KENDUN(stamped). 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.
