Vinyl pressings
by Cognac · 1978
How High 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.
7 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 4 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.
SG 305 A RI 1 Ʌ3L STERLINGSide: A runout, variant 1
SG 305 B 2 I STERLING Ʌ3GSide: B runout, variant 1
SG 305 A RI 1 Ʌ4A STERLINGSide: A runout, variant 2
SG 305 B 2 I STERLING Ʌ4ESide: B runout, variant 2
STERLING ST 2096 SA DJ R 1 upSide A
STERLING S 7 2096 BSide B
SG 305 A STERLINGSide A
SG 305 B STERLINGSide B
SG 305 ASide A Etchings
SG 305 BSide B Etchings
TX S7-2096-A-Runout Side A
TX S7-2096-BRunout Side B
S7-2096-ALabel Side A
S7-2096-BLabel Side B
SG-305-A txEtched runout side A
SG-305 B TGEtched runout side B
SG-305-HMatrix label side A
SG-305-TMatrix label side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Salsoul Records SG 305First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1978 | Canada | Salsoul Records S7-2096First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | Salsoul Records SG-305First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1978 | Japan | Salsoul Records SS-3243First year7" | 7" |
| 1978 | US | Salsoul Records SG 305 / Salsoul Records SG 305 (DJ)First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Salsoul Records SG 305First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Salsoul Records S7 2096First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | The Electric Record Company LWOT 4112", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | The Electric Record Company LWOTD4112" | 12" |
| 1979 | UK | The Electric Record Company WOT 417", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | The Electric Record Company WOT 417", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | The Electric Record Company WOT 417", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
12 vinyl pressings of How High are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Australia, Canada, Japan. One of them is Salsoul Records SG 305.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SG 305, S7 2096, S7-2096, SG-305) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SG 305 A RI 1 Ʌ3L STERLING and SG 305 B 2 I STERLING Ʌ3G. 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.
