Vinyl pressings
by The Temptations · 1970
Ball Of Confusion 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.
33 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 19 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.
N-K-N-760M02 10 Z4KM-2642-1 A ΩRunout, side A, etched
N-K-T2/N-732S06 10 Z4KM 2639-1 ΩRunout, side B, etched
N-K-N-760M02Label side A
N-K-T2/N-732S06Label side B
Z4KM-2642-2 (stamped) N-K-N-760MO2 (etched) ARPA-side runout
Z4KM-2639-1 B (stamped) N-K-T2 / N-732SO6 (etched) ARPB-side runout
N-K-N-760M02Label side A
N-K-T2/N-732S06Label side B
Z4KM-2642-2 A (stamped) N-K-N-760MO2 TVC (etched)A-side runout
Z4KM-2639-1 E (stamped) TVC N-K-T2 / N-732SO6 (etched)B-side runout
N-K-N-760M02A-Side Label
N-K-T2/N-732S06B-Side Label
N-K-N-760MO2 (MR) △80733-X Z4KM-2642-1 oRunout A, etched except stamped '(MR)', 'Z4KM-2642-1' and 'o
N-K-T2/N-732S06 (MR) △80733 Z4KM-2639-1 oRunout B, etched except stamped '(MR)', 'Z4KM-2639-1' and 'o'
N-K-N-760MO2Label A
N-K-T2/N-732S06Label B
Z4KM-2642-1 C (stamped) ∾ (etched) N-K-N-760MO2 (etched)A-side runout
Z4KM-2639-1 C (stamped) ∾ (etched) N-K-T2 / N-732SO6 (etched)B-side runout
N-K-N-760M02Label side A
N-K-T2/N-732S06Label side B
Z4KM-2622-2 A N-K-N-760M02 TVCA-side runout
N-K-T2/N-732S06 10 Z4KM 2639-1 E TVCB-side runout
N-K-N-760M02A-Side Label
N-K-T2/N-732S06B-Side 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 | Tamla Motown TMO-9150First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Barbados | Tamla Motown G-7099First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Brazil | Gordy EBCSG-7099First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Canada | Tamla Motown G 7099First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Ireland | Tamla Motown TMG(I) 749First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Jamaica | Tamla Motown G 7099First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Japan | Tamla Motown JET-1985First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | Mexico | Tamla Motown 6706-2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 006-91.530First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown TMM.756First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Norway | Tamla Motown TMG 749First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Spain | Tamla Motown M 5087First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Turkey | Tamla Motown 70804First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 749First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Gordy G 7099First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Tamla Motown 1C 006-91 530 / Tamla Motown 1 C 006-91 5307", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Germany | Tamla Motown 1C 006-91 530 / Tamla Motown 1 C 006-91 5307", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | Israel | Tamla Motown TMG 7497", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
36 vinyl pressings of Ball Of Confusion are listed here, from 20 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Germany, Greece and more. One of them is Gordy G 7099, released May 7, 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use G 7099, G-7099, TMG 749, 1C 006-91 530) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, N-K-N-760M02 10 Z4KM-2642-1 A Ω and N-K-T2/N-732S06 10 Z4KM 2639-1 Ω. 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.
