Vinyl pressings
by The Mothers · 1966
Freak Out! was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year, in 2 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.
SIDE 1 MGS-296 V-6-5005-2 V̶6̶5̶0̶0̶5̶-̶2̶ S̶E̶ ̶4̶3̶9̶3̶-̶2̶ V̶-̶6̶ ̶5̶0̶0̶5̶Runout side A, variant 1
V-6 5005-2 SIDE-2 MGS-297-REVRunout side B, variant 1
V-6-5005-2 SIDE-3 MGS-298-REVRunout side C, variant 1
V-6-5005-2 SIDE-4 MGS-299-REVRunout side D, variant 1
V-5005-2 F̶4̶3̶9̶2̶ SIDe 1 MG296Side A Runout, etched
V-5005-2 SIDe 2 MG 297Side B Runout, etched
V-5005-2 SIDe 3 MG 298 RevSide C Runout, etched
V-5005-2 Side 4 MG 299 RevSide D Runout, etched
[Block-shaped S] V6-5005-2 SIDE-1 MGS-296-RE-1Side A runout, variant 1
[Block-shaped S] V6-5005-2 SIDE-2 MGS-297-REVSide B runout, variant 1
[Block-shaped S] V6-5005-2 SIDE-3 MGS-298-REVSide C runout, variant 1
[Block-shaped S] V6-5005 SIDE-4 MGS-299-REV RE-1Side D runout, variant 1
V-5005-2 SIDE-1 MG-296A Side Etch
V-5005-2 SIDE-2 MG-297-REV.B Side Etch
V-5005-2 SIDE-3 MG-298-REV.C Side Etch
V-5005-2 SIDE-4 MG-299-REV.D Side Etch
V6-5005-2 SiDE-1 MGS-296-RE-1 ::Side A Runout, etched
V6-5005-2 SiDE-2 MGS-297-REV.Side B Runout, etched
V5005-2 SIDe 3 MG298 RevSide C Runout, etched
V-5005-2 Side 4 MG 299 RevSide D Runout, etched
[block S] V-5005-2 SIDe 1 MG296 Re -1 1!Side A runout, etched
[block S] V-5005-2 SIDe 2 MG 297 Rev 12Side B runout, etched
[block S] V-5005-2 SIDe 3 MG 298 Rev 12Side C runout, etched
[block S] V-5005-2 Side 4 MG 299 Rev 2!Side D runout, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Canada | Verve Records V6-5005-2 / Verve Records V6 5005-2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | Canada | Verve Records V-5005-2 / Verve Records V 5005-2First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Canada | Verve Records V6-5005-2 / Verve Records V6 5005-2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Verve Records V/5005-2First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1966 | US | Verve Records V6-5005-2 / Verve Records V6/5005-2LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Verve Records V-5005-2First yearLP, Album, Mono, Promo · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Promo · Promo, Mono |
| 1966 | US | Verve Records V6-5005-2 / Verve Records V/V6-500502LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1966 | US | Verve Records V-5005-2First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Verve Records V6-5005-2 / Verve Records V/V6-500502First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Verve Records V-5005-2XFirst yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Verve Records V6-5005-2 / Verve Records V/V6-500502First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Verve Records V6-5005-2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Verve Records V-5005-2First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Verve Records V6-5005-2 / Verve Records V/V6-500502First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Verve Records V6-5005-2 / Verve Records V6/5005-2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | UK | Verve Records 2683 004LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | Verve Records 2683 004LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Verve Records V6-5005-2 / Verve Records V/V6-500502LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Verve Records 2683 004LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Verve Records 2683 004LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1971 | UK | Verve Records 2683 004LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Verve Records 2683 004LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Verve Records 2615 008LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Verve Records V6-5005-2 / Verve Records V6/5005-2LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Verve Records V6-5005-2 / Verve Records V6/5005-2LP, Album, Misprint, Repress | LP, Album, Misprint, Repress |
| 1972 | US | Verve Records V6-5005-2 / Verve Records V6/5005-2LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1972 | US | Verve Records V6-5005-2 / Verve Records V6 5005-2LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1972 | US | Verve Records V6-5005-2 / Verve Records V6/5005-2LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Verve Records V6-5005-2 / Verve Records V6/5005-2LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | Verve Records V6-5005-2 / Verve Records V6 5005-2LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Europe | Zappa Records ZAPPA 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Europe | Zappa Records ZAPPA 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records BPR 7777-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Norway | Yellow Snow Records YSR 001LP, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Limited | LP, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Limited |
| 2010 | Norway | Yellow Snow Records YSR 001LP, Limited Edition, Test Pressing, Unofficial Release, White Label, Stereo · Unofficial, Test pressing, Limited | LP, Limited Edition, Test Pressing, Unofficial Release, White Label, Stereo · Unofficial, Test pressing, Limited |
| 2010 | Norway | Yellow Snow Records YSR 001LP, Limited Edition, Test Pressing, Unofficial Release, White Label, Stereo · Unofficial, Test pressing, Limited | LP, Limited Edition, Test Pressing, Unofficial Release, White Label, Stereo · Unofficial, Test pressing, Limited |
| 2013 | Europe | Zappa Records 0238341 / Barking Pumpkin Records 0238341LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2013 | Europe | Zappa Records 0238341 / Barking Pumpkin Records 0238341LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2013 | US | Zappa Records ZR3834-1 / Barking Pumpkin Records ZR3834-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2013 | US | Zappa Records ZR3834-1LP, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Misprint, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Europe | Zappa Records ZR20051-5 / UMe 00199957391757LP, Album, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Mono, LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set, Deluxe Edition · Mono | LP, Album, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Mono, LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set, Deluxe Edition · Mono |
| 2026 | US | Zappa Records ZR20051-1B / UMe 199957391764LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Verve Records V-5005-2 / Verve Records V-5005-2LP, Album, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Unknown | Verve Records V6-5005-2 / Verve Records V6/5005-2LP, Album, Repress, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Repress, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Unknown | Verve Records V6-5005-2 / Verve Records V6/5005-2LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | Unknown | Verve Records V-5005-2 / Verve Records V/5005-2LP, Album, Numbered, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Numbered, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Unknown | Verve Records V6-5005-2X / Verve Records V6-5005-2LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | Unknown | Verve Records V6-5005-2X / Verve Records V6-5005-2LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Unknown | Verve Records V6-5005-2X / Verve Records 6-5005-2XLP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | Unknown | Verve Records V-5005-2 / Verve Records V-5005-2LP, Album, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Unknown | Verve Records V-5005-2 / Verve Records V/5005-2LP, Album, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Unknown | Verve Records V-5005-2 / Verve Records V-5005-2LP, Album, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Unknown | Verve Records V-5005-2 / Verve Records V-5005-2LP, Album, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Unknown | Verve Records V-5005-2 / Verve Records V-5005-2LP, Album, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Unknown | Verve Records V-5005-2 / Verve Records V-5005-2LP, Album, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Unknown | Verve Records V-5005-2 / Verve Records V-5005-2LP, Album, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Unknown | Verve Records V-5005-2 / Verve Records V-5005-2LP, Album, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
89 vinyl pressings of Freak Out! are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1966 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, Canada. One of them is Verve Records V6-5005-2, released June 1966.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V6-5005-2, V-5005-2, V6-5005-2X, V-5005-2X) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SIDE 1 MGS-296 V-6-5005-2 V̶6̶5̶0̶0̶5̶-̶2̶ S̶E̶ ̶4̶3̶9̶3̶-̶2̶ V̶-̶6̶ ̶5̶0̶0̶5̶ and V-6 5005-2 SIDE-2 MGS-297-REV. 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.
