Vinyl pressings
by Deep Purple · 1971
Fireball was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
45 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 24 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.
SHAR 5045 A-1U AO KT 1Side A runout, stamped - variant 1
SHAR 5045 B-1U MA KT 2Side B runout, stamped - variant 1
SHAR 5045 A-1U RH KT 1Side A runout, stamped - variant 2
SHAR 5045 B-1U RH KT 2Side B runout, stamped - variant 2
SHAR 5045 A-1URunout, side A, stamped, variant 1
SHAR 5045 B-1URunout, side B, stamped, variant 1
SHAR 5045 A-1U AD KT 1Runout, side A, stamped, variant 2
SHAR 5045 B-1U AM KT 2Runout, side B, stamped, variant 2
SHAR 5045 A-1U AD KT 1Side A runout - stamped, "AD" and "1" rotated left 90°
SHAR 5045 B-1U AM KT 2Side B runout - stamped, "AM" and "2" rotated left 90°
SHAR 5045 A-1U AM KT 2Variant 2
SHAR 5045 B-1U AA KT 1Variant 2
SHAR 5045 A-1U GH KT 1Side A, runout, stamped
SHAR 5045 B-1U CM KT 1Side B, runout, stamped
(SHAR.5045A)Side A, label
(SHAR.5045B)Side B, label
SHAR 5045 A-1U AO KT 1Side A runout, variant 1
SHAR 5045 B-1U MA KT 2Side B runout, variant 1
SHAR 5045 A-1U AP KT 2Side A runout, variant 2
SHAR 5045 B-1U M7 KT 1Side B runout, variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Argentina | Harvest 1481First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Argentina | Harvest 1481First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Australia | Harvest HAR-9714First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WB 7528First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WB 7528First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Denmark | Harvest 6E 006 92988First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | Germany | Harvest 1C 006-92 988First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Greece | Harvest HARG 1508First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | India | Harvest HAR 5045First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Ireland | Harvest HAR.5045First year7" | 7" |
| 1971 | Ireland | Harvest HAR.5045First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Italy | Harvest 3C 006-92988First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Italy | Harvest 3C 006-92988First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-1089WFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Lebanon | Stateside CSS 11349First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | UK | Harvest 12 HAR 5235 / Harvest 12HAR 523512", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Harvest 1C 006-92 9887", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Harvest 1 C 006-92 9887", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-1089W7", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| ? | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-1089W7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-1089W7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-1089W7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
58 vinyl pressings of Fireball are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1971 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, US, Germany, France and more. One of them is Harvest HAR 5045.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HAR 5045, 7528, 1 C 006-92 988, 2C 006-92988 M) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SHAR 5045 A-1U AO KT 1 and SHAR 5045 B-1U MA KT 2. 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.
