Vinyl pressings
by Dee D. Jackson · 1979
Fireball was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 13 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.
100405 A-2/79S Made in Germany 008Runout A, stamped
100405 B-2/79S Made in Germany 008Runout B, stamped
S 100 405 ALabel A
S 100 405 BLabel B
100405 A-2/79S Made in GermanyRunout side A
100405 B-2/79S Made in GermanyRunout side B
600015 A-1/79S Made in GermanyRunout side A, stamped
600015 B-1/79S Made in GermanyRunout side B, stamped
S 600 015 ALabel side A
S 600 015 BLabel side B
ARISTA 292 A//1▽E TO 11 3 A BILBO+GEOFF BOPPA!!Side A runout, stamped and etched
ARISTA 292 B//1▽E TO 11 2 BILBO-TA1PESide B runout, stamped and etched
ARIST 292 ASide A label
ARIST 292 BSide B label
SRE-49017-WAA-8820-S-LW-1 ·—· STERLING ✲Runout etched Side A, except STERLING ✲ stamped
SRE-49017-WAA-8820-DJ-WW1 ·—· ✲ STERLINGRunout etched Side B, except STERLING ✲ stamped
WAA8820SLabel Side A
WAA8820Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | Jupiter Records 3805-9177First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Australia | Image DS12025First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Australia | Image IS234First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Austria | Jupiter Records 100 405 / Jupiter Records 100 405-100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Brazil | Young 301.1173First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Colombia | Jupiter Records 586008First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Jupiter Records 600 015 / Jupiter Records 600 015-213First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Jupiter Records 600 01512", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Italy | Durium DE 3053 / Jupiter Records DE. 3053First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | Durium DE 3053 / Durium Marche Estere DE. 3053First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Italy | Durium Marche Estere DE 3053 / Jupiter Records DE. 3053First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Japan | Jupiter Records VIP-2764First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Scandinavia | Mercury 6062 050First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Scandinavia | Mercury 6062 050First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1979 | Spain | Sauce Internacional 1-10.035First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Portugal | Sauce 1-10.0357", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
22 vinyl pressings of Fireball are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Germany, UK, US, France and more. One of them is Jupiter Records 100 405, released February 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 100 405, 600 015, ARIST 292, SRE49017) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 100405 A-2/79S Made in Germany 008 and 100405 B-2/79S Made in Germany 008. 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.
