Vinyl pressings
by Asia · 1983
Alpha 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.
45 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 24 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.
GEF 25508.A5 GHS-1-4008-CBS UK - SET BRunout, A-side, variant 1, etched
GEF 25508 - B6 GHS-2-4008-CBS UK - SET CRunout, B-side, variant 1, etched
GEF 25508 - A6 GHS-1-4008-CBS UK - SET CRunout, A-side, variant 2, etched
GEF 25508 - B5 GHS-2-4008-CBS UK - SET BRunout, B-side, variant 2, etched
GEF-25508-A5 GHS-1-4008-CBS UK-SETBA Side Etched (Variant 1)
GEF-25508-B5 GHS-2-4008-CBS UK-SETBB Side Etched (Variant 1)
GEF-25508-A4 GHS-1-4008-CBS UK-SETAA Side Etched (Variant 2)
GEF-25508-B(scratched out number)6 GHS-2-4002-CBS UK-SETC ()B Side Etched (Variant 2)
GHS-1-4008-SH4 [Artisan logo] GF SLM Δ 4940 1̶-̶2̶ SP 0-2 SM1-1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-18378-SH4Runout side A, variant 1
GHS-2-4008-SH4 [Artisan logo] [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-18379-SH4 SLM Δ 4940-X 1-2 0-2-SM1-1Runout side B, variant 1
GHS-1-4008-SH9 [Artisan logo] [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-18378-SH9 SLM Δ 4940-̶X̶ 1-3Runout side A, variant 2
GHS-2-4008-SH2 [Artisan logo] [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-18379-SH2 SLM Δ 3940-X 1-1Runout side B, variant 2
GHS-1-4008-SH4 [Artisan logo] GF SLM △ 4940 1̶-̶1̶ 1̶-̶ SP 01 SM1-1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-18378-SH4A-side
GHS-2-4008-SH4 [Artisan logo] [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-18379-SH4 SLM △ 4940-X 1-1 SP 0-1 SM1-1B-side
GHS-1-4008-SH1 B-18378-SH1-1 [Artisan logo] SLM △4940 1-3Runout side A, variant 1
GHS-2-4008-S-SH4-2 [Artisan logo] SLM △4940-X 1-4H4 B-18379Runout side B, variant 1
GHS-1-4008-SH5 [Artisan logo] [Allied logo] B-18378-SH5 #1 SLM △3̶4940 1-3Runout side A, variant 2
GHS-2-4008-S-SH4 [Artisan logo] [Allied logo] B-18379-SH4 #2 SLM △4940-X 1-4Runout side B, variant 2
GHS-1-4008-SH4 [Artisan logo] GF • ─◁ SLM △4940 1- 1-3 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B̶-̶1̶8̶3̶7̶8̶-SH4Runout side A, variant 1
GHS-2-4008-SH5 [Artisan logo] [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B̶-̶1̶8̶3̶7̶9̶-SH5 • ─◁ [Artisan logo] SLM △4940-X 1-2Runout side B, variant 1
GHS-1-4008-SH10 #2 [Artisan logo] [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B̶-̶1̶8̶3̶7̶8̶ - SH10 ─◁SLM △4940 1-1Runout side A, variant 2
GHS-2-4008-SH10 [Artisan logo] [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B̶-̶1̶8̶3̶7̶9̶- SH10 ─◁SLM △4940 - X 1-3Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Argentina | CBS 20433First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Australia | Geffen Records GHS 4008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Bolivia | Discos CBS 20363First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Brazil | Epic 144.803First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 4008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 4008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 4008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 4008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Colombia | Epic ESTEREO 19365First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Geffen Records GEF 25508 / Geffen Records GHS 4008First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Geffen Records GEF 25508First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Geffen Records GEF 25508First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Geffen Records GEF 25508 / Geffen Records GHS 4008First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Geffen Records GEF 25508 / Geffen Records GHS 4008First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | Geffen Records GEF 25508First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Geffen Records GEF 04008LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Taiwan | Chade Records CH-1046LP, Album | LP, Album |
56 vinyl pressings of Alpha are listed here, from 28 countries, released between 1983 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, South Korea, Argentina and more. One of them is Geffen Records GEF 25508.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GEF 25508, GHS 4008, KJPL-0381, 20433) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GEF 25508.A5 GHS-1-4008-CBS UK - SET B and GEF 25508 - B6 GHS-2-4008-CBS UK - SET C. 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.
