Vinyl pressings
by Ben Sidran · 1977
The Doctor Is In was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 5 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.
AL-4131-SA pp LEO LOVES JUDY [etched] STERLING [stamped]Side A runout
AL-4131-SB pp LEO LOVES BEN [etched] STERLING [stamped]Side B runout
AL 4131 SASide A label
AL 4131 SBSide B label
AL-4131-SA W LEO LOVES JUDY STERLINGRunout, side A etched / stamped
AL-4131-SB W LEO LOVES BEN STERLINGRunout, side B etched / stamped
SPARTY10222 A//1 TO 1 1Runout side A
SPARTY10222 B//1 TO 1 1 1Runout side B
SPARTY 1022ALabel side A
SPARTY 1022BLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Canada | Arista AL 4131First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Arista IES 80982 / Arista AL 4131First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Arista IES-80982First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Japan | Arista IES-80982First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Arista 5C 058-99557First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Arista 5C 058-99557LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | UK | Arista SPARTY 1022First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Arista AL 4131First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Arista AL 4131First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Arista AL 4131First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Arista 15RS-19LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Arista AL 4131LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Arista AL 4131LP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of The Doctor Is In are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1977 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Arista AL 4131.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 4131, SPARTY 1022, IES 80982, 5C 058-99557) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-4131-SA pp LEO LOVES JUDY [etched] STERLING [stamped] and AL-4131-SB pp LEO LOVES BEN [etched] STERLING [stamped]. 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.
