Vinyl pressings
by Badfinger · 1979
Airwaves was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 8 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.
6E-175-A-1B-2HZ: DM11Side A etch (Variant 1)
6E-175-B-1A-2HZ: DM11Side B etch (Variant 1)
6E-175-A-1B-2HZ: DM3Side A etch (Variant 2)
6E-175-B-1A-2HZ: DM3Side B etch (Variant 2)
0-1 6E-175 A SP + SLM △18 DWJ/2Runout A
6E-175B SP + SLM △18-X 0-1 DWJ/2Runout B
6E-175-A SPLabel A
6E-175-B SPLabel B
6E-175 B2 PRC-1 + Δ17-XSIDE B
6E-175-A PRCW + SLM △ 16-X DWJ/2Side A runout, variant 1
6E-175-B PRCW + SLM △ 16-X DWJ/2Side B runout, variant 1
6E-175 A-1 PRCW + SLM △16 DWJ/2Side A runout, variant 2
6E-175 B1 PRCW + SLM △ 16-X DWJ/2Side B runout, variant 2
6E-175-A PRCW + SLM △ 16-X DW2/2A-side runout, variant 1
6E-175-B PRCW + SLM △ 16-X DW2/2B-side runout, variant 1
6E-175 A1 PRCW + SLM △16 DWJ/2A-side runout, variant 2
6E-175 B2 PRCW + SLM △16-X DWJ/2B-side runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Elektra 6E-175First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Elektra 6E-175First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Elektra ELK 52 129First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Israel | Elektra/Asylum Records K52129 GE-175First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Elektra P-10657EFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | Elektra P-10657EFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Elektra ELk 52 129First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Elektra K 52129First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Elektra 6E-175First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Elektra 6E-175First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Elektra 6E-175LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1979 | US | Elektra 6E-175First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Elektra 6E-175First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Elektra 6E-175First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Elektra 6E-175LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
17 vinyl pressings of Airwaves are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Canada, US, UK, Australia and more. One of them is Elektra 6E-175.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6E-175, K 52129, ELK 52 129, K52129 GE-175) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6E-175-A-1B-2HZ: DM11 and 6E-175-B-1A-2HZ: DM11. 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.
