Vinyl pressings
by The Moody Blues · 1970
Question was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 21 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.
XZDR-46717-T1-1KRunout, side A, variant 1
XZDR-46842-T1-1KRunout, side B, variant 1
XZDR-46717-T1-1K 1Runout, side A, variant 2
XZDR-46842-T1-1K 1Runout, side B, variant 2
XZDR-46717-T1-1KRunout, A-side, stamped
XZDR-46842-T1-1KRunout, B-side, stamped
XDR 46717Label A-side
XDR 46842Label B-side
XDR 46717Label Side A
XDR 46842Label Side B
p(stamped/inverted) XDR46717-1A(scribed)A side deadwax, variant 1
p(stamped/inverted) XDR 46842-1A(scribed)B side deadwax, variant 1
p XDR-46717-1B 3A side deadwax, variant 2
p XDR 46842 -1A 3B side deadwax, variant 2
XDR-46717-1CRunout Side A [Variant 1]
XDR46842-1CRunout Side B [Variant 1]
XDR 46717-3 T1Runout Side A [Variant 2]
XDR 46842-3 T111Runout Side B [Variant 2]
XDR46717-1D △80399A runout
XDR-46842-1D [MR logo] △80400B runout
XDR 46717A label
XDR 46842B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Threshold TH 9144First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Belgium | Threshold TH 2.001-Y (TH4)First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Belgium | Threshold TH 2.001-Y / Threshold TH 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Denmark | Threshold TH 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | France | Threshold TH 4First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1970 | Germany | Threshold TH 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | Greece | Deram DM 1271First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | India | Threshold TH 4 / Threshold TH. 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Ireland | Threshold TH(I) 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Italy | Threshold TH 4First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Italy | Threshold TH 4First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Netherlands | Threshold TH 4 / Threshold TH4First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Netherlands | Threshold TH 4 / Threshold TH4First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Threshold TH. 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Portugal | Threshold TH 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | UK | Old Gold OG 93487", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Threshold TH 4 / Threshold 882 178-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Lebanon | Threshold TH 47", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Mexico | London Records 45/96747", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| ? | US | Threshold 5N-670047", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Deram 5N-670047", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
38 vinyl pressings of Question are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1970 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in UK, US, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Threshold TH 4.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TH 4, 45-67004, 45-TH-67004, THS-67004) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XZDR-46717-T1-1K and XZDR-46842-T1-1K. 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.
