Vinyl pressings
by Billy Squier · 1981
The Stroke was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 9 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.
S45-5005-97313-Z1 #1 STERLING 0Runout, side A, variant 1
S-45-5005-97311-Z1 #3 STERLING 0Runout, side B, variant 1
S45-5005-97313-Z2 #3 STERLINGRunout, side A, variant 2
S45-5005-97311-Z6 STERLINGRunout, side B, variant 2
S45-5005-97313-Z2 #2 STERLING —◁Side A Runout Variant 1
S45-5005-97311-Z6 STERLING —◁Side B Runout Variant 1
S45-5005-97313-Z2 ·—◁ #3 STERLINGSide A Runout Variant 2
S45-5005-97311-Z2 ·—◁ STERLINGSide B Runout Variant 2
S45-5005-97313-Z3 1 ✲ MON#64 STERLINGA runout
S45-5005-97311-Z5 MR STERLINGB runout
S97313A label
S97311B label
S45-5005-97313-Z3 * STERLINGRunout, side A, etched, (STERLING 0 stamped), variant 1
S-45-5005-97311-Z3 * STERLINGRunout, side B, etched, (STERLING 0 stamped) variant 1
S97313Label Side A
S97311Label Side B
S97313Label Side A
S97311Label Side B
S45-5005-97313-Z1 #2 PRC STERLING 0Side A runout
S-45-5005-97311-Z1 #2 PRC STERLING 0Side B runout
S97313Side A label
S97311Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-494First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-494First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C 006 86385First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Capitol Records 5005First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Europe | Capitol Records 1A 006-86385First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Capitol Records 2C 008-86.385 / Capitol Records 2C 008-86385First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Guatemala | Capitol Records 5005First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Capitol Records F 5005First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | South Africa | Capitol Records JCL 710First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records P-5005First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | Capitol Records 5005First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records 5005First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records 5005First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records 5005First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records 5005First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of The Stroke are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Canada, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Capitol Records 5005, released May 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5005, P-5005, CP-494, 31C 006 86385) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S45-5005-97313-Z1 #1 STERLING 0 and S-45-5005-97311-Z1 #3 STERLING 0. 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.
