Vinyl pressings
by Asia · 1982
Only Time Will Tell was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
27 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 11 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-A2228-A1 RAYS LYN 11903 ARunout side A, variant 1
GEF-A2228-B1 RAYS LYN 11904 DRunout side B, variant 1
GEF-A2228-A1 RAYS LYN 11903 DRunout side A, variant 2
GEF-A2228-B1 RAYS LYN 11904 C BRunout side B, variant 2
GEF.A 2228-A1 RAYSA-Side - Etched
3 4 DA-Side - Stamped
GEF. A 2228-B1 RAYSB-Side - Etched
3 3 ΛB-Side - Stamped
GEF A 2228-A1 RAYS BRunout A side
GEF. A 2228-B1 RAYS ΛRunout B side
7-29970-AAA-1437-S-SP1 1-1 STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching (STERLING stamp)
7-29970-AAA-1440-S-SP1 1-2 STERLINGB-Side Runout Etching (STERLING stamp)
AAA 1437SA-Side Label
AAA 1440SB-Side Label
7-29970-AAA-1437-S-LW1 * STERLINGA runout
7-29970-AAA-1440-S-LW1 * STERLINGB runout
AAA 1437SA label
AAA 1440SB label
7-29970-AAA-1437-S-WW1 #2Side A Runout, etched
7-29970-AAA-1440-S-WW1 -------◄Side B Runout, etched
STERLINGSides A & B Runout, stamped
AAA 1437SSide A 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Geffen Records GEF 29970First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Australia | Geffen Records GEF 29970First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 99707First year7" | 7" |
| 1982 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 99707First year7" | 7" |
| 1982 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 99707First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Costa Rica | CBS 7012623First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Europe | Geffen Records GEFA 2594 / Geffen Records A-2594First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Ireland | Geffen Records GEF A 2228First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Japan | Geffen Records 07SP 645First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | Japan | Geffen Records 07SP 645First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Geffen Records GEF 29970First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | South Africa | Geffen Records SSC 5361First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Spain | Geffen Records GEF A 2594 / Epic GEF A-2594First year7", Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Spain | Geffen Records GEF A-2594 / Epic GEF A-2594First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Geffen Records GEF A 2228First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
27 vinyl pressings of Only Time Will Tell are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Geffen Records GEF A 11-2228, released September 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GEF A 11-2228, GEF A 2228, 7-29970, PRO-A-1042) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GEF-A2228-A1 RAYS LYN 11903 A and GEF-A2228-B1 RAYS LYN 11904 D. 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.
