Vinyl pressings
by David Lindley And El Rayo-X · 1983
El Rayo Live was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 9 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.
R/S Alsdorf 960235-1 AX STRAWBERRY (G) 36Side A runout
R/S Alsdorf 960235-1 Bx STRAWBERRY (G) 41Side B runout
96. 0235-1Label side A
96. 0235-2Label side B
R/S Alsdorf 960235-1 A STRAWBERRY (o) 39Side A runout variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 960235-1 B STRAWBERRY (o) 34Side B runout variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 960235-1 A STRAWBERRY (C)Side A runout variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 960235-1 B STRAWBERRY (C)Side B runout variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 960235-1 A STRAWBERRY (C)Side A
R / S Alsdorf 960235-1 B STRAWBERRY (C)Side B
R/S Alsdorf 960235-1 A STRAWBERRYSide 1
R/S Alsdorf 960235-1 B STRAWBERRYSide 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Europe | Asylum Records 96.0235-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Asylum Records 96.0235-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Asylum Records 96.0235-1 / Asylum Records 96. 0235-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | Asylum Records 96.0235-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Asylum Records 96.0235-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Asylum Records 96.0235-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Asylum Records 96.0235-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Asylum Records P-6193First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Asylum Records 96.0235-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Asylum Records 96.0235-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Asylum Records 96.0235-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Asylum Records 6.0235-1 / Asylum Records 602351First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Asylum Records 602351First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Portugal | Asylum Records 7559602351First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Asylum Records 96.0235-1 / Asylum Records 960235-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
20 vinyl pressings of El Rayo Live are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in Germany, UK, Europe, France and more. One of them is Asylum Records 96.0235-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 96.0235-1, SAM.164, P-6193, 6.0235-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 960235-1 AX STRAWBERRY (G) 36 and R/S Alsdorf 960235-1 Bx STRAWBERRY (G) 41. 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.
