Vinyl pressings
by Dire Straits · 1984
Live (Love Over Gold / Solid Rock) 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 12 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.
D STR 612 A // 1 ▽ 420 ZRunout Side A, variant 1
D STR 612 B // 2 ▽ 420 ZRunout Side AA, variant 1
D STR 612 A // 1 ▽ 420 Z 1 1 4 SOUND CLINIC 1Runout Side A, variant 2
D STR 612 B // 2 ▽ 420 Z 1 1 2 JONZRunout Side AA, variant 2
DSTR 6 B A̸ // 1▽420 Z 11 6 JONZSide A runout
DSTR 6 A B̸ // 1▽420 Z 11 3 sound clinicSide AA runout
DSTR+610+A2 ORLAKE JONZSide A runout, etched, variant 1
DSTR+610+AA2 SOUND CLINIC ORLAKESide AA runout, etched, variant 1
DSTR+610+A ORLAKE JONZSide A runout, etched, variant 2
DSTR+610+AA2 SOUND CLINIC ORLAKESide AA runout, etched, variant 2
DSTR 612 A // 2 ▽ 420 ZA-side runout
BILBO TAPEONE MAZ 212 B//1 ▽ 420 TAA-side runout
818 283 7 - A DBSide A runout, etched
818 283-7- AA DBSide AA runout, etched
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 | Australasia | Vertigo 818 283-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australasia | Vertigo 818 283-7 / Vertigo 818283-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Vertigo sOV 2339First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | France | Vertigo 818 283-7 / Vertigo 818.283.7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | France | Vertigo 818.283-1 / Vertigo 818 283-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Vertigo 818 283-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Vertigo 818 283-1Q / Vertigo 818 283-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | Vertigo 818 283-1 / Vertigo 818283-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Italy | Vertigo 818 283-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Italy | Vertigo 818 283-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Vertigo 818 283-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Vertigo 818 283-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Vertigo 818 283-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Portugal | Vertigo 818 283-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Portugal | Vertigo 818 283-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
23 vinyl pressings of Live (Love Over Gold / Solid Rock) are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Australasia, Canada, France and more. One of them is Vertigo DSTR 612.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DSTR 612, DSTR 6, DSTR 610, 818 283-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, D STR 612 A // 1 ▽ 420 Z and D STR 612 B // 2 ▽ 420 Z. 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.
