Vinyl pressings
by Celi Bee & The Buzzy Bunch · 1978
Alternating Currents 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.
22 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 16 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.
APA002A REVISED THE LACQUER LAB 77002ARunout Side 1 (etched / stamped)
APA77002B THE LACQUER LABRunout Side 2 (etched / stamped)
APA-77002-ASide A Label
APA-77002-BSide B Label
APA-77002-ASide A label
APA-77002-BSide B label
77002A APA 002A REVISEDSide A, etched
APA 77002BSide B, etched
THE LACQUER LABBoth sides, stamped
APA-77002-ASide A Label
APA-77002-BSide B Label
APA - 77002 - A - 1A - 2 D,ZHSide A runout area
APA - 77002 - B - 1B - 2 D,ZHSide B runout area
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 | Argentina | Epic 47.121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Australia | CBS SBP 237162First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Brazil | Epic 144258First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Costa Rica | CBS 7011First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Europe | T.K. Records TKR 82531First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Greece | T.K. Records TKR 82531First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony 25AP 1103First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony 25AP 1103First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Italy | T.K. Records TKR 82531First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | T.K. Records 25AP 1103First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | T.K. Records 25AP 1103First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Mexico | Columbia KLS-60,019 / T.K. Records KLS-60,019First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | South Africa | Epic KSF 2123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Spain | Epic TKR 82531First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | T.K. Records S TKR 82531First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Turkey | Rainbow RB-3014 / Rainbow 3014LP, Album | LP, Album |
26 vinyl pressings of Alternating Currents are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Canada, Argentina and more. One of them is APA APA-77002.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use APA-77002, S TKR 82531, PTK-92027, 47.121) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, APA002A REVISED THE LACQUER LAB 77002A and APA77002B THE LACQUER LAB. 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.
