Vinyl pressings
by Captain Beefheart · 1980
Doc At The Radar Station 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.
17 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 11 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.
ST-VA-804543-B-B ② B-15338-2Side A runout
ST-VA-804544-B-B ② B-15339-2Side B runout
ST-VA-804543-ARLabel, side A
ST-VA-804544-ARLabel, side B
ST-VA-804543-B-B- 0-2SM1-2 SPSide A runout, variant 1
ST-VA-804544-B-B 0-1SM1-4 SPSide B runout, variant 1
ST-VA-804543-B-B SP 0-1SM1-2Side A runout, variant 2
ST-VA-804544-B-B SP 0-1SM1-2Side B runout, variant 2
V 2172-A-3Side A, etched, variant 1
V 2172-B-5Side B, etched, variant 1
V 2172-A-4Side A, etched, variant 2
V 2172-B-5Side B, etched, variant 2
1 SMX-56823 W2ASide A runout, etched
2 SMX-56824 W2ASide B runout, etched
SMX-56823Side A label
SMX-56824Side B label
SMX 56823Side 1 Hand Etched
SMX 56824Side 2 Hand Etched
VM - 2209-A-2 SnB- AℓSide A runout, variant 1
VM - 2209-B SnB- AℓSide B runout, variant 1
VM - 2209-A-2 SnB- AℓSide A runout, variant 2
VM - 2209-B-2 SnB- AℓSide B runout, variant 2
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 | Australia | Virgin L 37440First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Virgin L 37440 / Virgin V 2172First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1980 | Canada | Virgin VM 2209First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Europe | Virgin 202 870-320 / Virgin 202 870First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Virgin 202870First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Virgin 202 870-320 / Virgin 202 870First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Virgin 202 870-320 / Virgin 202 870First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | Virgin 2473 813 / Virgin V 2172First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | Virgin 2473813LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Japan | Virgin VIP-6966 / Virgin VIRG-6966First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Virgin VIP-6966 / Virgin VIRG-6966First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Virgin 202 870-320 / Virgin 202.870First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Virgin 202.870-320 / Virgin 202.870First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Virgin 202 870-320 / Virgin 202.870First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Virgin V 2172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | UK | Virgin OVED 68 / Past & Present Records OVED 68LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | 4 Men With Beards 4M211LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2787LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Virgin 202 870-320 / Virgin 202 870LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Rainbo RecordsLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
28 vinyl pressings of Doc At The Radar Station are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1980 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Virgin VA 13148, released September 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VA 13148, V 2172, L 37440, VM 2209) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-VA-804543-B-B ② B-15338-2 and ST-VA-804544-B-B ② B-15339-2. 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.
