UK
1983- Label and catalog number
- Tuff Gong 12IS 108Island Records 12IS 108
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM
- Runout / matrix
12IS 108 A -1U-1-1- STERLINGSide A runout
12IS 108 B -1U-1-1- STERLINGSide B runout
12IS 108-ASide A label
12IS 108-BSide B label
Vinyl pressings
Buffalo Soldier
by Bob Marley & The Wailers · 1983
62 pressings18 countriesReggaeReggae
Buffalo Soldier was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Buffalo Soldier
57 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 18 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.
UK
1983- Label and catalog number
- Tuff Gong IS 108Island Records IS 108
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Solid Centre
- Runout / matrix
IS 108 A-1U-1-1- 21 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
IS 108 B-1U-1-2- 0 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
IS 108 A -1U-2- 30 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
IS 108 B -1U-1-1- 42 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
UK
1983- Label and catalog number
- Tuff Gong IS 108Island Records IS 108
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Jukebox
- Runout / matrix
IS 108 A -1U-1-1-1-0 STERLINGSide A runout
IS 108 B -1U-1-1-5 STERLINGSide B runout
UK
1983- Label and catalog number
- Tuff Gong IS 108Island Records IS 108
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label, Stereo · Solid Centre
- Runout / matrix
IS 108 A -1U-2- 30 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
IS 108 B -1U-1-1- 42 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
IS 108-ASide A label
IS 108-BSide B label
US
1983- Label and catalog number
- Island Records 0-99883Tuff Gong 0-99883
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single · Specialty Records Pressing
- Runout / matrix
STDM 44583-1 1-1 STERLING SRCSide A runout
STDM 44584-1 1-1 STERLING SRCSide B runout
ST-DM-44583-SPSide A label
ST-DM-44584-SPSide B label
US
1983- Label and catalog number
- Island Records 7-99882Tuff Gong 7-99882
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Stereo · SP - Specialty Pressing
- Runout / matrix
STERLING STIL 44581-1 SRC 1-1Variant 1 Runout Groove Side A
STERLING STIL 44582-2 SRC 1-2Variant 1 Runout Groove Side B
STERLING ST IL 44581-2 SRC 1-1Variant 2 Runout Groove Side A
STERLING ST IL 44582-1 SRC 1-2Variant 2 Runout Groove Side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 62 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s58 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Argentina | Microfon Argentina S.A. 9350First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Australia | Island Records K9115 / Tuff Gong MX-60847First year7", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1983 | Australia | Island Records K-9115 / Tuff Gong K-9115First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | Tuff Gong X 13108First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1983 | Australia | Island Records K-9115 / Tuff Gong K-9115First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | Island Records K-9115 / Tuff Gong K-9115First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1983 | Canada | Island Records 79 98830First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Island Records 79 98827First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Europe | Island Records 105 338 / Island Records 105 338-100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | France | Tuff Gong 812 443-7 / Island Records 812 443-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | France | Tuff Gong 812 443-1 / Island Records 812 443-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Germany | Island Records 105 338 / Island Records 105 338-100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Germany | Island Records 600 863-213First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Germany | Island Records 600 863-213First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Guatemala | Island Records I - 239First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
Year unknown4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Jamaica | Tuff Gong7", 45 RPM, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Repress |
| ? | Jamaica | Tuff Gong BMW 976112", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| ? | Jamaica | Tuff Gong BMW 976112", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| ? | Jamaica | Tuff Gong7", 45 RPM, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Repress |
Tracklist
- ABuffalo Soldier2:45
- BBuffalo (Dub)3:30
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Buffalo Soldier are there?
62 vinyl pressings of Buffalo Soldier are listed here, from 18 countries.
When was Buffalo Soldier first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Jamaica, Australia and more. One of them is Tuff Gong 12IS 108.
How do I tell if my copy of Buffalo Soldier is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12IS 108, IS 108, 0-99883, 7-99882) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12IS 108 A -1U-1-1- STERLING and 12IS 108 B -1U-1-1- STERLING. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Buffalo Soldier on vinyl worth?
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.
