Vinyl pressings
by The Kinks · 1981
Better Things was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 5 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.
ARIST 415 A//2▽ EP tone (etched)Runout, side A, stamped
ARIST 415 B//1▽ EP tone (etched)Runout, side B, stamped
KINKS 1 A//1▽ EP tone (etched)Runout, side C, stamped
KINKS 1 B//1▽ EP tone (etched)Runout, side D, stamped
ARIST 415 A // 2▽ E P 1 1 1 2Stamped side A
ARIST 415 B // 1▽ E P 1 1 1 0Stamped side B
toneEtched on both sides
AS - 0649 • SA -3 MASTERDISK TI TRunout, side A / etched [except MASTERDISK], Variant 1
AS • 0649 - SB - 4Runout, side B / etched, Variant 1
AS - 0649 • SA - 4 TIRun-out A, etched, Variant 2
AS•0649•SB•4 TIRun-out B, etched, Variant 2
AS - 0649 • SA -Z MASTERDISK RL pRunout side A, etched, except [MASTERDISK p] stamped
AS - 0649 • SB - 1Runout B-side etched
AS 0649-SALabel side-A
AS 0649-SBLabel side-B
AS - 0649 • SA -1 MASTERDISK RLRunout side A
AS • 0649 - SB - 2Runout side B
AS 0649-SALabel A
AS 0649-SBLabel B
AS 0649-SALabel A
AS 0649-SBLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Arista K-8360First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Arista ASO 649First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Arista ARIST 415 / Arista KINKS 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | Arista ARIST 415First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Arista AS 0649First year7", Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Arista AS 0649First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1981 | US | Arista AS 0649First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1981 | US | Arista AS 0649First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Arista AS 0649First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1981 | UK | Arista ARIST 415 / Arista KINKS 1First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Arista ARIST 415First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | US | Arista AS 0649First year7", Single, Styrene | 7", Single, Styrene |
| 1981 | US | Arista AS 0649First year7", Single, Styrene | 7", Single, Styrene |
| 1982 | Mexico | Arista S-7157", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
14 vinyl pressings of Better Things are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Arista ARIST 415, released June 19, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ARIST 415, AS 0649, K-8360, ASO 649) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARIST 415 A//2▽ EP tone (etched) and ARIST 415 B//1▽ EP tone (etched). 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.
