Vinyl pressings
by Cliff Richard · 1981
Wired For Sound was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 21 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.
EMC 3377 A - 1U 76 JONZ 1 4Side A runout variant 1
EMC 3377 B - 1U 112 SOUND CLINIC 2Side B runout variant 1
EMC 3377 A - 1U 76 4 JONZSide A runout variant 2
EMC 3377 B - 1U 109 2 SOUND CLINIC 2Side B runout variant 2
EMC 3377 A - 2 166 PENTHOUSE MJ 1Side A runout, Variant 1
EMC 3377 B - 1U 211 SOUND CLINIC 5Side B runout, Variant 1
EMC 3377 A - 2 178 PENTHOUSE MJ 2Side A runout, Variant 4
EMC 3377 B - 1U 280 SOUND CLINIC 5Side B runout, Variant 4
EMC 3377 A - 1U 119 JONZ 5Side A runout variant 1
EMC 3377 B - 3 136 PENTHOUSE MJSide B runout variant 1
EMC 3377 A - 1U 109 JONZ 2Side A runout variant 2
EMC 3377 B - 2 129 1 PENTHOUSE MJSide B runout variant 2
EMC 3377 A - 3 182 PENTHOUSE MJ 1Side A runout, variant 1
EMC 3377 B - 2 245 1 PENTHOUSE MJSide B runout, variant 1
EMC 3377 A - 2 169 PENTHOUSE MJSide A runout, variant 2
EMC 3377 B - 2 206 PENTHOUSE MJSide B runout, variant 2
EMC 3377 A-2 Penthouse MJ 208Stamped, A side
EMC 3372 B-1U Arthur Bold Inc 112Stamped, B side
SW-1-17059 Z̶ F5 #2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL • ━◁Runout A
SW-2-17059-Z̶ F6 #2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL • ━◁ KPRunout B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | EMI EMC 3377First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | EMI MID 166056First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Brazil | EMI 31C 064-07541First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | EMI America SW-17059First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Colombia | EMI 11869First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | EMI 1C 064-07 541 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-07 541First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Pathé 2C 070-07541First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | EMI Electrola F 668.001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | EMI 1C 064-07 541LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Greece | EMI 14C 062-07541First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | India | EMI EMC 3377First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Ireland | EMI EMC 3377First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Israel | Portrait EMC 3377First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | EMI 3C 064-07541First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | EMI EMS-81451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Not On Label F 668.001LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| ? | UK | Fame FA 3159LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
34 vinyl pressings of Wired For Sound are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1981 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is EMI EMC 3377, released September 14, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMC 3377, SW-17059, MID 166056, 31C 064-07541) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMC 3377 A - 1U 76 JONZ 1 4 and EMC 3377 B - 1U 112 SOUND CLINIC 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.
