Vinyl pressings
by Yoko Ono · 1971
Fly was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 5 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.
SVBB-1-3380-Z3 #2 Bell Sound sfSide A runout; Variant 1
SVBB-2-3380-Z3 #1 Bell Sound sfSide B runout; Variant 1
SVBB-3-3380-Z3 #4 Bell Sound sfSide C runout; Variant 1
SVBB-4-3380-Z3 #2 Bell Sound sfSide D runout; Variant 1
SVBB-1-3380 Z2 Bell Sound sf ---◁Runout side A
SVBB-2-3380 Z2 Bell Sound sf ---◁Runout side B
SVBB-3-3380 Z2 Bell Sound sf ---◁Runout side C
SVBB-4-3380 Z2 Bell Sound sf ---◁Runout side D
SAPTU 101 A-1URunout A, stamped
SAPTU 101 B-1URunout B, stamped
SAPTU 102 A-1URunout C, stamped
SAPTU 102 B-2URunout D, stamped
SVBB-1-3380-Z7 Bell Sound sfSide A Runout, etched
SVBB-2-3380-Z7 Bell Sound sfSide B Runout, etched
SVBB-3-3380-Z7 Bell Sound sfSide C Runout, etched
SVBB-4-3380-Z7 Bell Sound sfSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | Apple Records SVBB 3380First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | Apple Records AP-93021BFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Japan | Apple Records AP-93021BFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Mexico | Apple Records SLEMB-329First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | Apple Records SAPTU 101/102First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Apple Records SVBB 3380First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Apple Records SVBB 3380First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Apple Records SVBB 3380First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Apple Records SAPTU 101/102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Apple Records AP-93021BLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | Apple Records AP-93021BLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | US | Secretly Canadian SC282 / Chimera Music CHIM21LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2017 | US | Secretly Canadian SC282 / Chimera Music CHIM21LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2017 | Japan | Sony Records Int'l SIJP 49~50LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
14 vinyl pressings of Fly are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1971 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Apple Records SVBB 3380, released September 20, 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SVBB 3380, SAPTU 101/102, AP-93021B, SLEMB-329) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SVBB-1-3380-Z3 #2 Bell Sound sf and SVBB-2-3380-Z3 #1 Bell Sound sf. 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.
