Vinyl pressings
by Black Sabbath · 1978
Never Say Die 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.
16 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
SAB 1 1F//2 STR STRAWBERRYSide A runout, variant 1
SAB 1 2F//1 STR STRAWBERRYSide B runout, variant 1
SAB 1 1F//2 STR 11 3 STRAWBERRY.Side A runout, variant 2
SAB 1 2F//2 STR 11 1 STRAWBERRY.Side B runout, variant 2
SAB 1 1F//2 STRSide A runout, stamped
SAB 1 2F//1 STRSide B runout, stamped
STR SAB 1 1F//1 11 6 STRAWBERRY P. CastleSide A runout, variant 1
SAB 1 2F//2 STR 11 1 STRAWBERRYSide B runout, variant 1
SAB 1 1F//2 STR 11 11 STRAWBERRY.Side A runout, variant 2
SAB 1 2F//2 STR 11 1 2 STRAWBERRY.Side B runout, variant 2
SAB 1 1F//2 STR STRAWBERRYA side, variant 1
SAB 1 2F//2 STR STRAWBERRYB side, variant 1
SAB 1 1F//1 STR STRAWBERRYA side, variant 2
SAB 1 2F//2 STR STRAWBERRYB side, variant 2
SAB 1 1F//2 STRMachine stamped in run-out area A-side
SAB 1 2F//2 STRMachine stamped in run-out area B-side
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 | Vertigo 6079 103First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Germany | Vertigo 6079 103First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Ireland | Vertigo SAB 001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Japan | Vertigo SFL-2313 / Vertigo SAB 001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Japan | Vertigo SFL-2313 / Vertigo SAB 001First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6079 103First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6079 103First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Spain | Vertigo 60 79 103First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Vertigo SAB 001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Vertigo SAB 001First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress |
| 1978 | UK | Vertigo SAB 001First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress |
| 1978 | UK | Vertigo SAB 001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Vertigo SAB 001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Vertigo SAB 001First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Vertigo SAB 001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Italy | Earmark 41031-57", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
17 vinyl pressings of Never Say Die are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1978 and 2004.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, France, Australia, Germany and more. One of them is Vertigo SAB 001, released March 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SAB 001, 6837 512, 6079 103, SFL-2313) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SAB 1 1F//2 STR STRAWBERRY and SAB 1 2F//1 STR STRAWBERRY. 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.
