Vinyl pressings
by Benelux & Nancy Dee · 1979
Switch 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.
11 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 4 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.
08-VR-10495-1A-1 100395-A-39069-1-Y HNRunout side A
08-VR-10495-1B-1 100.395-B-39070-1-Y HNRunout side B
100.395-ALabel side A
100.395-BLabel side B
600.023-ASide 1 Label
600.023-BSide 2 Label
08-VR-10495-1A-1Runout side A, variant 1
08-VR-10495-1A-1Runout side B, variant 1
08-VR-10495-1A-1 100 395-A-39069-1-Y HNRunout side A, variant 2
08-VR-10495-1B-1 100 395-B-39070-1-Y HNRunout side B, variant 2
100395-A-39069-1-Y HNRunout side A
100.395-B-39070-1-Y HNRunout side B
100.395-ALabel side A
100.395-BLabel side B
S-10 SC-4-A-1 G.G.. StrawberryRunout etched side A
SC-4-B-1 G.G..Runout etched 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Germany | Hansa International 100 602 / Hansa 100 602First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Fleet 600.023First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Fleet 100.395First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Fleet 100.395First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Peru | Ariola 100.395First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | UK | Scope SC 4 T / Hansa SC 4 TFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Scope SC 4 / Hansa K 11350First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Scope SC 4 T / Hansa SC 4 TFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Scope SC 4 / Hansa K 11350First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Scope SC 4 / Hansa SC 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Fleet 100.395First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Switch are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Netherlands, UK, Germany, Peru. One of them is Fleet 100.395, released February 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 100.395, 600.023, SC 4 T, SC 4) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 08-VR-10495-1A-1 100395-A-39069-1-Y HN and 08-VR-10495-1B-1 100.395-B-39070-1-Y HN. 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.
