Vinyl pressings
by Bobby Thurston · 1980
Check Out The Groove was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1980, 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.
EPC-S.13.8348·A-1 ΛRunout side A, etched / stamped, variant 1
EPC-S-13-8348. B-1 ΛRunout side B, etched / stamped, variant 1
EPC-S.13.8348·A-1 ΛRunout side A, etched / stamped, variant 2
EPC-S-13-8348. B-1 BRunout side B, etched / stamped, variant 2
EPC-S-8348-A1 5C AA side runout - variant 1
EPC-S-8348-B1 5 BB side runout - variant 1
EPC-S-8348-A1 6C AA side runout - variant 2
EPC-S-8348-B1 1 CB side runout - variant 2
EPC-S-8348-A1A Side Runout Etched
EPC-S-8348-B1B Side Runout Etched
PRL 8011A-1AA-Side Runout Etching
p PRL 8011B-1BB-Side Runout Etching
PRL 8011 ASA-Side Label
PRL 8011 BSB-Side Label
p PRL 8011A-1ARunout Side A
PRL 8011A-1ARunout Side B
PRL 8011 ASLabels
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Germany | Jupiter Records 102 043-100 / Jupiter Records 102 043First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Rams Horn Records RAMSH 12-3006First year12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Rams Horn Records RAMSH 1006First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | Zafiro P-80First year7", Promo, Single · Promo | 7", Promo, Single · Promo |
| 1980 | UK | Epic S EPC 8348 / Prelude Records S EPC 8348First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Prelude Records PRL 8011First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Prelude Records PRL 8011First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1980 | UK | Epic S EPC 13 8348 / Prelude Records S EPC 13 8348First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Epic S EPC 8348 / Prelude Records S EPC 8348First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Germany | Jupiter Records 600 232 / Jupiter Records 600 232-213First year12", Single | 12", Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Check Out The Groove are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Germany, Netherlands and more. One of them is Epic S EPC 13 8348, released March 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S EPC 13 8348, S EPC 8348, PRL 8011, 600 232) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EPC-S.13.8348·A-1 Λ and EPC-S-13-8348. B-1 Λ. 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.
