Vinyl pressings
by David Liebman · 1975
Sweet Hands was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 6 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.
T1 SP-703-1 ̶T̶ 3 KENDUN -B- ARunout A, etched / stamped
T1 SP 704 T2 KENDUN A ARunout B, etched / stamped
SP-703Label side A
SP-704Label side B
T1 SP-703-1 T3 KENDUN -B- AA runout etched / stamped
T1 SP 704 T2 KENDUN A AB runout etched / stamped
SP-703Matrix A on label
SP-704Matrix B on label
T1 SP-703-1 ̶T̶ 3 KENDUN -B- CRunout side A
T1 SP 704 T2 KENDUN A ARunout side B
SP-703Side A Label
SP-704Side B Label
SP-703Side A
SP-704Side B
SP-703Side A Label
SP-704Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Brazil | Horizon HOL - 39002 / A&M Records HOL - 39002First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Canada | A&M Records SP-702First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Canada | Horizon SP-702 / A&M Records SP-702First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | Horizon SP-702 / A&M Records SP-702First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | France | A&M Records 985026 / A&M Records 985.026First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Horizon GP 3502 / A&M Records GP 3502First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | UK | Horizon SP-702First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Horizon SP-702 / A&M Records SP-702First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Horizon SP-702 / A&M Records SP-702First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Horizon SP-702 / A&M Records SP-702First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Horizon GP-3502 / A&M Records GP-3502LP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of Sweet Hands are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1975 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Horizon SP-702.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-702, HOL - 39002, 985026, GP 3502) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 SP-703-1 ̶T̶ 3 KENDUN -B- A and T1 SP 704 T2 KENDUN A A. 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.
