Vinyl pressings
by David Lindley · 1981
El Rayo-X 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.
26 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 18 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.
5E-524-A-SH-SP TML-M + SLM △616 SP 0-1 SM1-2Runout side A, variant 1
5E-524-B SH TML-M SP + SLM + △616-X SP B- 0-1 SM1-1Runout side B, variant 1
5E-524-A-SH-SP TML-M + SLM + △616 SP 0-1 SM1-3Runout side A, variant 2
5E-524-B SH TML-M SP + SLM + △616-X SP B- 0-1 SM1-1Runout side B, variant 2
5E-524-A-SH-1AR TML-S + SLM + + + △616 B-15589Etched Side A, except "TML-S and "SLM" stamped
5E-524-B-SH 1AR TML-M + SLM + + + △616-X ɑ B-15590Etched Side B, except "TML-M; "SLM" and 'ɑ' stamped
5E-524-A ARLabel Side A
5E-524-B ARLabel Side B
5E 524-A-SH-1AR TML-S + SLM + + + △616 B-15589Side A runout
5E - 524-B-SH 1AR TML-M + SLM + :+: :+: △616-X [Allied "ɑ" logo] B-15590Side B runout
5E-524-ASide A label
5E-524-BSide B label
0-1 SM1-2 5E 524-A-SH - SP TML-M + SLM + △616 SPA side runout - variant 1
0-1 SM1-1 5E 524-B SH TML-M SP + SLM + △616-X SP ̶B̶ ̶B side runout - variant 1
0-1 SM1-3 5E 524-A-SH - SP TML-M + SLM + △616 SPA side runout - variant 2
0-1 SM1-1 5E 524-B SH TML-M SP + SLM + △616-X SP ̶B̶ ̶B side runout - variant 2
K+52283+B W-3KDB side, etched
K+52283+A W-7KDA side, etched
STRAWBERRYBoth sides, stamped
R/S ALSDORF 52283 A3 8 STRAWBERRY (c)Runout side A
R/S ALSDORF 52283 B-3 GB STRAWBERRY (c)Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Asylum Records 5E-524 / Asylum Records 5E 524First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Brazil | Asylum Records 22.024First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Asylum Records X5E-524First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Asylum Records X5E-524First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | Asylum Records AS 52 283 / Asylum Records 5E-524First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Asylum Records AS 52 283First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Asylum Records AS 52 283First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Asylum Records AS 52 283First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | Asylum Records 52283LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Greece | Asylum Records 52283First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Asylum Records K52283 / Asylum Records K 52283First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Asylum Records W 52283First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1981 | Japan | Asylum Records P-11016YFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Asylum Records P-11016YFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Mexico | Elektra LWE-6090First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Germany | Asylum Records 5E-524 / Speakers Corner Records Asylum SE-524LP, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2019 | Germany | Speakers Corner Records Asylum 5E-524LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Asylum Records X5E-524LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Canada | Asylum Records X5E-524LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Europe | Asylum Records AS 52 283LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Asylum Records AS 52 283 / Asylum Records 5E-524LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | Asylum Records 5E-524Album, LP | Album, LP |
| ? | US | Asylum Records 5E-524LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
37 vinyl pressings of El Rayo-X are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1981 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Asylum Records 5E-524, released May 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5E-524, K52283, 22.024, X5E-524) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5E-524-A-SH-SP TML-M + SLM △616 SP 0-1 SM1-2 and 5E-524-B SH TML-M SP + SLM + △616-X SP B- 0-1 SM1-1. 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.
