Vinyl pressings
by Aztec Camera · 1984
Knife 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.
25 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 16 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.
R/S Alsdorf 240483-1 A2 PENTHOUSEVariant 1, side A, stamped
R/S Alsdorf 240483-1 B 22 UKVariant 1, side B, stamped, UK etched
R/S Alsdorf 240483-1 A2 PENTHOUSEVariant 2, side A, stamped
R/S Alsdorf 240483-1 B UK 3Variant 2, side B, stamped, UK 3 etched
R / S Alsdorf 240483-1 A2 xx 22 PenthouseRunout Side A, Stamped - Variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 240483-1 B xx 8 DRunout Side B, Stamped - Variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 240483-1 A2 XXX 17 PenthouseRunout Side A, Stamped - Variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 240483-1 D XX S4Runout Side B, Stamped - Variant 2
WX 8 A // 2 E 1 1 1 PenthouseSide A runout
WX 8 B // 2 E 1 1 1 PenthouseSide B runout
[SRC logo] 1-25183-A-SRS̶2 1-1 MASTERDISKSide A runout, var. 1
1-25183-B-SR1 1-2 [SRC logo] MASTERDISKSide B runout, var. 1
1-25183-A-SR2 1-1 MASTERDISK [SRC logo]Side A runout, var. 2
1-25183-B-SR1 1-2 [SRC logo] MASTERDISKSide B runout, var. 2
1-25183-A-SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-19892-SH2 MASTERDISK SLM △7685 1-1Side A runout, variant 1
1-25183-B-SR1 1-B SPAR [SRC logo] MASTERDISK △7685-X B-19893-SR1Side B runout, variant 1
1-25183-A-SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-19892-SH1 SLM △7685 1-1 MASTERDISKSide A runout, variant 2
1-25183-B-SR1 1-3 SPAR [SRC logo] MASTERDISK 0- △7685-X B-19893 SR1Side B runout, variant 2
[SRC Logo] 1-25813-A-SR2 1-1 MASTERDISKSide A runout
1-25813-B-SR1 1-2 [SRC Logo] MASTERDISKSide B runout
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 | WEA 89114First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australia | WEA 240483-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Sire 92 51831First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Sire 92 51831First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | WEA 240483-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | New Zealand | WEA 240483-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records 240 483-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Portugal | WEA 229 24-0483-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Portugal | WEA 229 24-0483-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | WEA 240 483-1 / WEA L 240483-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK & Europe | WEA WX8C / WEA 240 483-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK & Europe | WEA WX8C / WEA 240 483-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Sire 1-25183 / Sire 9 25183-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Sire 9 25183-1First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1984 | US | Sire 1-25183 / Sire 9 25183-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | WEA WX8C / WEA 240 483-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
27 vinyl pressings of Knife are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1984 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK & Europe, US, Israel, Italy and more. One of them is WEA WX 8, released September 21, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WX 8, WX8C, 1-25183, 9 25183-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 240483-1 A2 PENTHOUSE and R/S Alsdorf 240483-1 B 22 UK. 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.
