Vinyl pressings
by Casiopea · 1984
The Soundgraphy was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 7 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.
ALR-28055A 1–A– 2 4 S 3^ 〄CSSide A, variant 1
ALR-28055B 1–A– 1Side B, variant 1
ALR-28055A I 1–A–8 4 S 4 〄CSSide A, stamped, variant 2
ALR-28055B 1–A–7 ISide B, stamped, variant 2
SNTF 919A1 PAGA-side runout, etched
SNTF-919B1 PAGB-side runout, etched
SNTF 919AA-side label
SNTF 919BB-side label
SNTF 919A₁ PAGA-side runout, etched
SNTF-919B₁ PAGB-side runout, etched
SNTF 919AA-side label
SNTF 919BB-side label
DM B-1238 A-2/84 S II II Made in GermanyA-side runout, stamped except for second 'II' : etched
DM B-1238 B-1/84 S II Made in GermanyB-side runout, stamped
B-1238 AA-side label
B-1238 BB-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Europe | Sonet SNTF 919First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Europe | Sonet SNTF 919First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Germany | Sonet INT 147.145First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Germany | Sonet SNTF 919 / Sonet INT 147.145First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Japan | Alfa ALR-28055First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Philippines | New York Records NYR-11143First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1984 | Philippines | New York Records NYR-11143First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | Portugal | Edisom 624609First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Scandinavia | Sonet SNTF 919First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Spain | Sonet JS-143First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Japan | Alfa ALR-28055First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of The Soundgraphy are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Japan, Europe, Germany, Philippines and more. One of them is Alfa ALR-28055, released April 25, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ALR-28055, SNTF 919, INT 147.145, NYR-11143) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ALR-28055A 1–A– 2 4 S 3^ 〄CS and ALR-28055B 1–A– 1. 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.
