Vinyl pressings
by David Sylvian · 1984
Red Guitar was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
DM 601311 A-1/84 S III Made in GermanyRunout Side A
DM 601311 B-1/84 S III Made in GermanyRunout Side B
S 601 311 ALabel Side A
S 601 311 BLabel Side B
DM 106426 A-1/84 S IIISide A
DM 406426 B-1/84 S IIISide B
VS 63312 A-4U-1-1-:Side A runout, machine stamped, variant 1
VS 63312 B-3U-1-1-:Side B runout, machine stamped, variant 1
VS 63312 A-3U-1-3-:Side A runout, machine stamped, variant 2
VS 63312 B-3U-1-:Side B runout, machine stamped, variant 2
VS633aSide A
VS633bSide B
VS 633 A-4U-1-1-X 1Variant 1 - Side A Run-Out Groove Stamp
VS633 B-3U-1-1-1Variant 1 - Side B Run-Out Groove Stamp
VS 633 A-3U-1-1-XSide A
VS 633 B-3U-1-2-1Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin VS633-12 / Virgin VS 63312First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin VS633-12 / Virgin VS 63312First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin VS 633 / Virgin VS633First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin VS 633 / Virgin VS633First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 601 311 / Virgin 601 311-213First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 106 426 / Virgin 106 426-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | France | Virgin 80109 / Virgin 80 109First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Italy | Virgin VINX 60First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 633-12 / Virgin VS633-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Virgin F-601.364 / Virgin F 601364First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Virgin A-106.758 / Virgin A106758First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin VSY633 / Virgin VSY 633First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin VS 633First year7", Single Sided, White Label | 7", Single Sided, White Label |
| 1984 | Ireland | Virgin VS633First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | Virgin VIN 45111First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
23 vinyl pressings of Red Guitar are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Europe, UK, Ireland, Italy and more. One of them is Virgin 601 311.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 601 311, 106 426, VS633-12, VS633) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DM 601311 A-1/84 S III Made in Germany and DM 601311 B-1/84 S III Made in Germany. 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.
