Vinyl pressings
by Three Dog Night · 1970
It Ain't Easy 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.
29 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 18 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.
DS-50078-A-1-2 LWSide A etched, variant 1
DS-50078-B-2 LWSide B etched, variant 1
DS-50078-A -3-2 LWSide A etched, variant 2
DS- 50078-B -3-2 LWSide B etched, variant 2
T 1 DS-50078- A -3 DSide A runout
T 1 DS 50078- B -1 ASide B runout
DS-50078-ASide A label
DS-50078-BSide B label
Ⓚ DS-50078-A-1-3 LWSide A runout, variant 1
DS-50078-B-3-1 LW KSide B runout, variant 1
DS-50078-A-2-1 LW KSide A runout, variant 2
DS-50078-B-1 LW KSide B runout, variant 2
DS-50078-A 1 - 3 (K in circle)Side A Etched
DS-50078-A 2 - 1 (K in circle)Side B Etched
DS-50078-ASide A label
DS-50078-BSide B label
DS50078-A-RE 10-19-70Side A - etched, variant 1
DS-50078-B-RESide B - etched, variant 1
DS 50078-ASide A label
DS 50078-BSide B label
P DS-50078-A O 1BVariant #1 - Side A - etched
P DS-50078-B2-1B KDVariant #1 - Side B - etched
P DS-50078-A-1 D T1Variant #2 - Side A - etched
P DS-50078B-1D o KD 11Variant #2 - Side B - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Argentina | Parlophone 5126First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | Australia | Stateside SOSL 10084First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Brazil | Odeon SMOFB 15.017First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Brazil | Odeon MOFB 15.017First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | Canada | ABC/Dunhill Records DS 50078 / ABC/Dunhill Records 50078First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Canada | RCA Victor DS-50078First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Canada | Dunhill DS 50078 / ABC Records DS-50078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Denmark | Stateside DS 50078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Germany | Stateside 1C 062-91 403First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Greece | Stateside DS-1009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Hong Kong | Stateside SCSL - 3028First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Italy | Stateside 3C 062-91403 / EMI 3C 062-91403First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Japan | Stateside HP-8987First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Japan | Stateside HP-8987First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1970 | Mexico | Capitol Records SLEM-238First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-5001LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Stateside 2C 062-91 403LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Dunhill DS-50078 / ABC Records DS-50078LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Dunhill DS-50078 / ABC Records DS-50078LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
61 vinyl pressings of It Ain't Easy are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1970 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Dunhill 50078.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 50078, DS-50078, DS 50078, SPBA 6251) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DS-50078-A-1-2 LW and DS-50078-B-2 LW. 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.
