Vinyl pressings
by Alex De Grassi · 1984
Southern Exposure was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 6 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.
WH-1030-A-RT1. MasI 17938(3)Mo#3A-Side runout, var. 1
WH-1030-B RT1.. MasI 17939(3)Mo#3B-Side runout, var. 1
WH-1030-A-RT1. MasI 17938(3)A-Side runout, var. 2
WH-1030-B RT1.. MasI 17939(3)B-Side runout, var. 2
WH 1030A-SD1 1280-A1 Au♂Runout side A
WH 1030B-SD1 1280-B1 Au♂Runout side B
1-EMW-1 WH-1030-A ES1· (trumpet)Side A etched variant 1
WH-1030-B SH1·· (trumpet) Emu ✰II SLM. △8169-X 1-2Side B etched variant 1
WH-1030-A ES1· (trumpet stamp) ƐMWSide A etched variant 2
WH 1030B-IwT 1280-B3 Au♂Side B etched variant 2
SMX-66121Side 1 label
SMX-66122Side 2 label
B-B-I DMM A ᴑ C-66,23 466-01-1Runout side A, variant 1
B-B-I DMM A C-66,23 466-01-2Runout side B, variant 1
B-B-I ᴑ DMM A C-66,23 466-01-1Runout side A, variant 2
B-B-I DMM A ᴑ C-66,23 466-01-2Runout side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia & New Zealand | Windham Hill Records L 43010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Windham Hill Records WH-91030First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Windham Hill Records WH-1030First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Windham Hill Records 371 030-1 / A&M Records 371 030-1First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Windham Hill Records 371 030-1 / A&M Records 371 030-1First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | Windham Hill Records WHP-28015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Windham Hill Records AMWH 61030 / A&M Records AMWH 61030First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Windham Hill Records WH-1030First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Windham Hill Records WH-1030First yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1984 | US | Windham Hill Records WH-1030First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1986 | Japan | Windham Hill Records C28Y5014LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1987 | Brazil | Windham Hill Records 371 030-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Southern Exposure are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1984 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Australia & New Zealand, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Windham Hill Records WH-1030.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WH-1030, L 43010, WH-91030, 371 030-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WH-1030-A-RT1. MasI 17938(3)Mo#3 and WH-1030-B RT1.. MasI 17939(3)Mo#3. 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.
