Vinyl pressings
by Al Stewart · 1980
Midnight Rocks was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1980, 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.
[Etched] ASO-552-SA - T2 T1 [Stamped] TML XSide A runout
[Etched] ASO-552-SB - T2 T1 [Stamped] TML XSide B runout
AS 0552-SASide A label
AS 0552-SBSide B label
ASO-552-SA TML S PSide A runout etched, TKL S P stamped
ASO-552-SB TML M PSide B runout etched, TKL M P stamped
AS 0552-SASide A Label
AS 0552-SBSide B Label
AS0-552-SA-T2 TML-X T11stereo runout
AS0-552-MA-T1 TML-S T1mono runout
AS 0552-SAstereo label
AS 0552-MAmono label
ASO-0552-MAASO-552-MA - T1 TML-S T1Mono runout
ASO-552-SA TML-S A pStereo runout
AS 0552-MAMono label
AS 0552-SAStereo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | RCA 103664First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Brazil | RCA 101.7147First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista AS 0552First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Japan | RCA RPS-9First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | RCA RPS-9First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Arista AS 0552First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1980 | US | Arista AS 0552First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1980 | US | Arista AS 0552First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Arista AS 0552First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Arista AS 0552First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1980 | US | Arista AS0552First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
11 vinyl pressings of Midnight Rocks are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Arista AS 0552.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AS 0552, AS0552, 103664, 101.7147) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, [Etched] ASO-552-SA - T2 T1 [Stamped] TML X and [Etched] ASO-552-SB - T2 T1 [Stamped] TML X. 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.
