Vinyl pressings
by Dire Straits · 1980
Skateaway was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 3 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.
WBS 49632-YNY 2281-VI-S-WW1 ─◁ STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
WBS 49632-YNY 2284-S-WW1 ─◁ STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
WBS 49632-YNY. 2281-VI-S-WW1 #2 ─◁ STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
WBS 49632-YNY-2284-S-WW1 ─◁ STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
WBS 49632-YNY·2281-VI-S-WW1 · ─◁ STERLINGSide A runout
WBS-49632-YNY-2284-S-WW1 · ─◁ STERLINGSide B runout
YNY 2281 VISSide A label
YNY 2284 SSide B label
WBS•49632-YNY 2281-VI S-LW1•• ─▷ ✲✲ STERLINGRunout side A
WBS 49632•YNY-2284-S-LW1• ✲✲ STERLINGRunout side B
YNY 2281 VISLabel side A
YNY 2284 SLabel side B
PRO-A-1-926-A1 B-15452 STERLINGSide A runout
PRO-A-2-926 A1 B-15453 STERLINGSide B runout
WBS 49632-YNY 2281-VI S-LW1 ✲✲ STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
WBS 49632-YNY 2281-VI-DJ-LW2 ✲✲ STERLINGRunout side AA, variant 1
WBS·49632-YNY·2281-VI S-LW1•• 1 ✲✲ STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
P̸R̸O̸ ̸A̸-̸1̸-̸9̸2̸ ✲ ✲ 1 WBS·49632-YNY·2281-VI-DJ-LW2• STERLINGRunout side AA, variant 2
M-76092-A SNB·Aℓ QRunout side A, variant 1
M-76092-B SNB·Aℓ QRunout side B, variant 1
M-76092-A 6 SNB·Aℓ QRunout side A, variant 2
M-76092-B 6 SNB·Aℓ QRunout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Mercury M 76092First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Ireland | Vertigo MOVIE 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records PRO-A-926First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49632 / Warner Bros. Records WBS49632First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49632 / Warner Bros. Records WBS49632First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49632 / Warner Bros. Records WBS49632First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49632 / Warner Bros. Records WBS49632First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Vertigo 6059 3887", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6059 3887", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Vertigo 6059 3887", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Spain | Vertigo 60 59 3887", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Spain | Not On Label 60 59 3887", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1981 | UK | Vertigo MOVIE 27", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Vertigo MOVIE 2 DJ7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | Vertigo MOVIE 27", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
18 vinyl pressings of Skateaway are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Canada, Ireland. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WBS 49632.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBS 49632, PRO-A-926, M 76092, MOVIE 2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WBS 49632-YNY 2281-VI-S-WW1 ─◁ STERLING and WBS 49632-YNY 2284-S-WW1 ─◁ STERLING. 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.
