Vinyl pressings
by AC/DC · 1983
Guns For Hire was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 12 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.
R/S Alsdorf [789747-7 A] 789774-7 A A9774-A. BE MT 2Runout side A
R/S Alsdorf [789747-7 B] 789774-7 B A9774-B. MT 1Runout side B
78-9774-ALabel side A
78-9774-BLabel side B
A9774-A. MT.Variant 1 Side A Etched
A9774-B. MT.Variant 1 Side B Etched
A9774-A.-2 MT.Runout Side A, etched, Variant 1
A9774-B.-2 MT.Runout Side B, etched, Variant 1
A9774-A.-1 MT.Runout Side A, etched, Variant 2
A9774-B.-1 MT.Runout Side B, etched, Variant 2
SP-A-45411-1 SRC MASTERDISK HW 1-1Side A runout
SP-A-45410-2 1-1 SRCSide B runout
SP-A-45411-SPSide A label
SP-A-45410-SPSide B label
△5330-X 1-1 STA -45411 -3 MASTERDISK (Allied Logo) R-11939-3 SLMSide A Runout
△5330-X 1-1 STA -45410 -3 MASTERDISK (Allied Logo) R-11939-3 SLMSide B runout
ST-A-45411-ARSide A Label
ST-A-45410-ARSide B Label
STA-45411-3 MASTERDISK HW a R-11939-3 SLM △5330-X 1-1Runouts
ST-A-45411-ARLabels
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Argentina | Atlantic SL 5237First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Argentina | Atlantic SL 5237First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | Atlantic 78 97747First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | Atlantic 78 97747First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | France | Atlantic PRO 261First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Ireland | Atlantic A9774First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Mexico | Atlantic PRO-046-A/BFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Atlantic 78.9774-7 / Atlantic 78.9774-7 ⓃFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Spain | Atlantic 789774-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Spain | Atlantic 78 9774-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Atlantic 7-89774First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Atlantic 7-89774First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Atlantic 7-89774First year7", Stereo, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Stereo, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Atlantic 7-89774First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Atlantic 7-89774First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
23 vinyl pressings of Guns For Hire are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in Germany, UK, US, Italy and more. One of them is Atlantic 78.9774-7, released September 15, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 78.9774-7, A9774P, A 9774, 7-89774) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf [789747-7 A] 789774-7 A A9774-A. BE MT 2 and R/S Alsdorf [789747-7 B] 789774-7 B A9774-B. MT 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.
