Vinyl pressings
by Be Bop Deluxe · 1978
Drastic Plastic was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 12 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.
SHSP 4091 A-1 GP 2Variant 1 A side runout
SHSP 4091 B-2 GH 3 Mastered by Nick WVariant 1 B side runout
SHSP 4091 A-1 AP 1Variant 2 A side runout
SHSP 4091 B-2 AO Mastered by Nick W 10Variant 2 B side runout
SW-1-11750 F6 #1 KPSide 1 Runout Etched
SW-2-11750 F1 #4 KPSide 2 Runout Etched
MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Stamped Both Sides
SW-1-11750Side 1 Label
SW-1-11750 F2 #2 KP ─◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A runout
SW-2-11750 F2 KP ─◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B runout
(SW-1-11750)Side A label
(SW-2-11750)Side B label
SW-1-11750 F5 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ KPSide A runout, variant 1
SW-2-11750 F3. 2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ KPSide B runout, variant 1
SW-1-11750 F5 2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ KPSide A runout, variant 2
SW-2-11750 F3. 2 ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPSide B runout, variant 2
SW-1-11750 F6 #4 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP 0Side A etched exc. MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0 stamped
SW-2-11750 F1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP 0Side B etched exc. MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0 stamped
SW-1-11750Side 1 label
SW-2-11750Side 2 label
SW-1-11750 F5 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲Side A runout, variant 1
SW-2-11750 F3 ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B runout, variant 2
SW-1-11750Side A label
SW-2-11750Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Harvest SHSP 4091 / Harvest SHSP-4091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Harvest SW-11750First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | Canada | Harvest SW-11750First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Harvest SW-11750First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | France | Harvest 2C 066 06598 / Harvest 2C 066 - 06.598LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | Germany | Harvest 1C 064-06 598 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-06 598First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Greece | Harvest SHSP 4091LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Greece | Harvest 14C 062-06598First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Italy | Harvest 3C 064 - 06598First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | EMI EMS-81029First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | EMI EMS-81029First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Harvest 5C 062 06598First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Harvest SHSP 4091 / Harvest OC 062 06 598First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Scandinavia | Harvest 7 C 062-06598 / Harvest 7C 062-06598First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Spain | Reflejo 10C 064 006598First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records SN-16023 / Harvest SN-16023LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SN-16023LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
24 vinyl pressings of Drastic Plastic are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Harvest SHSP 4091.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SHSP 4091, SW-11750, 1C 064-06 598, 14C 062-06598) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SHSP 4091 A-1 GP 2 and SHSP 4091 B-2 GH 3 Mastered by Nick W. 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.
