Vinyl pressings
by The Who · 1972
Join Together was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 10 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.
2094102 A//216Side A runout, variant 1
2094102 B//2 1 1 5 4 1Side B runout, variant 1
2094102 A//216Side A runout, variant 2
2094102 B//2 1 1 5 1 6Side B runout, variant 2
2094102 A//2 1 1 4Runout side A, variant 1
2094102 B//2 11 1Runout side B, variant 1
2094102 A//2 1 1 1 5Runout side A, variant 2
2094102 B//2 11 1 5Runout side B, variant 2
2094102-A2 2 PORKY TA-Side run-out, etched variant 1 (T stamped)
2094102-B2 3 AB-Side run-out, etched variant 1 (A stamped)
2094102-A2 2 PORKY SA-Side run-out, etched variant 2
2094102-B2 3 BB-Side run-out, etched variant 2
2094102-A2A-Side run-out, Hand-etched
2094102-B2B-Side run-out, Hand-etched
2094102 A//215A-side
2094102 B//2 1 2 3 5B-side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Polydor 2058 259First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Austria | Polydor 2058 259First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Decca 32983First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Decca 32983First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | France | Track Record 2094 102 / Track Record 2094-102First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Germany | Polydor 2058 259First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Track Record 2094-102First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Italy | Polydor 2058 259First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Italy | Polydor 2058 259First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Polydor 2058 259First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Portugal | Track Record 2094-102First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | UK | Track Record 2094-102First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | UK | Track Record 2094-102First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | UK | Polydor 2058259First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | UK | Track Record 2094-102First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Lebanon | Polydor 20941027", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| ? | US | Decca 329837", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
29 vinyl pressings of Join Together are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, US, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Track Record 2094-102, released June 16, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2094-102, 2058259, 32983, 2058 259) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2094102 A//216 and 2094102 B//2 1 1 5 4 1. 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.
