Vinyl pressings
by Armando Peraza · 1969
Wild Thing was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 4 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.
SK-5D-A ☆ LL AudioMatrixSide A runout, variant 1
SK 5D-B LL AudioMatrixSide B runout, variant 1
SK-5D-A ☆ LL AudioMatrixSide A runout, variant 2
SK 5D-B-R R L3-1 ☆ 8-22-68 AudioMatrixSide B runout, variant 2
SK-5D-A ls LLSide A, etched
SK-5D-B ls LLSide B, etched
LLBoth sides, 1st L is upside down
SK-5D-A [MR logo] △12306 LLSide A etched
SK-5D-B [MR logo] △12306-X LLSide B etched
B(circled) 887952 1Y 111+ UDSide A
887952 2Y 111+Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Japan | Fontana FOX-7030First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Fontana 887 952 TYFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | Skye Records STL 5525 / Fontana 887 952 TYFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Skye Records SK-5DFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Skye Records SK-5D / Skye Records SK 5DFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Skye Records SK-5DFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Skye Records SK5DLP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Japan | Skye Records SK-5DLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | Japan | Skye Records SK-5DLP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Gryphon G-923LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Spain | Vampi Soul VAMPI 027LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Skye Records SK5DLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
12 vinyl pressings of Wild Thing are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1969 and 2003.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Netherlands, Japan. One of them is Skye Records SK-5D.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SK-5D, STL 5525, 887 952 TY, FOX-7030) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SK-5D-A ☆ LL AudioMatrix and SK 5D-B LL AudioMatrix. 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.
