Vinyl pressings
by Ashford & Simpson · 1984
Solid 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.
17 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 15 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.
ST-1-12366-Z2 #4 STERLING 0[Variant 1] Side 1
ST-2-12366-Z2 #3 STERLING 0[Variant 1] Side 2
ST-1-12366-Z4 STERLING 0[Variant 2] Side 1
ST-2-12366-Z4 STERLING 0[Variant 2] Side 2
ST-1-12366-Z4 —◁ STERLINGSide A etched, variant 1
ST-2 12366 Z4 —◁ STERLINGSide B etched, variant 1
ST-1-12366-Z4 —◁ STERLINGSide A etched, variant 2
ST-2 12366 Z3 —◁ STERLINGSide B etched, variant 2
ST1-12366 2S 2 5-22Runout side A, stamped
ST2-12366 2S2 3 5-22Runout side B, stamped
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 | Argentina | Capitol Records 81 2402501First yearLP | LP |
| 1984 | Australia | Capitol Records ST 240250First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Barbados | Capitol Records ST-12366First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-12366First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Capitol Records 1A 064-24 0250 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 064-24 0250 1 / EMI 1C 064-24 0250 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | Capitol Records 062-2402501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | Capitol Records 062-2402501LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Italy | Capitol Records 64 2402501 / EMI 64 2402501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-81696First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Capitol Records ST-12366First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Philippines | Capitol Records ST-12366First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Portugal | Capitol Records 2402501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | South Africa | Capitol Records TOL(L) 7123661First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Capitol Records ST-12366First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | US | Capitol Records B0026923-01 / UMe B0026923-01LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
30 vinyl pressings of Solid are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1984 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Japan, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Capitol Records ST-12366.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-12366, ECS-81696, 81 2402501, ST 240250) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-12366-Z2 #4 STERLING 0 and ST-2-12366-Z2 #3 STERLING 0. 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.
