Vinyl pressings
by Dire Straits · 1985
So Far Away was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
41 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 22 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.
DSTR 9-A RL DSTR 9 A//1▽130 1 1 1 MASTERDISKSide A runout, variant 1
DSTR 9-B DSTR 9 B//1▽130 1 1 1Side B runout, variant 1
DSTR-9-A MASTERDISK RL DSTR 9 A//2▽130 1 1 1Side A runout, variant 2
DSTR-9-B DSTR 9 B//1▽130 1 1 2Side B runout, variant 2
DSTR 9-A RL DSTR 9 A//2▽130 1 1 1 MASTERDISKSide A runout, variant 1
DSTR 9-B DSTR 9 B//1▽130 1 1 1Side B runout, variant 1
DSTR-9-A RL DSTR 9 A//1▽4̸2̸0̸ 130 1 1 1 MASTERDISKSide A runout, variant 2
DSTR-9-B- DSTR 9 B//2▽130 1 1 1Side B runout, variant 2
DSTR 9-A RL DSTR 9 A//1▽130 1 1 1 MASTERDISKSide A runout, variant 1
DSTR 9-B DSTR 9 B//1▽130 1 1 1Side B runout, variant 1
DSTR-9-A RL DSTR 9 A//2▽130 1 1 1 MASTERDISKSide A runout, variant 2
DSTR-9-B- DSTR 9 B//2▽130 1 1 1Side B runout, variant 2
DSTR 910-A MASTERDISK RL ORLAKERunout, side A, variant 1
DSTR 910-B ORLAKERunout, side B, variant 1
DSTR-910-A MASTERDISK RL ORLAKERunout, side A, variant 2
DSTR-910-B1 ORLAKERunout, side B, variant 2
DSTR 912 A // 2▽420 T 1 1 1 DB.TAPE oneSide A runout, variant 1
DSTR 912 B // 2▽420 T 1 1 2 DB.TAPE oneSide B runout, variant 1
DSTR 912 A // 1▽420 T 1 1 1 DB.TAPE oneSide A runout, variant 2
DSTR 912 B // 1▽420 T 1 1 2 DB.TAPE oneSide B runout, variant 2
DSTR 9 A//1▽130 DSTR.9-A MASTERDISK RLSide A runout, variant 1
DSTR 9 B//1▽130 DSTR.9-BSide B runout, variant 1
DSTR 9 A//1▽4̸2̸0̸ 130 1 1 9 DSTR-9-A MASTERDISK RLSide A runout, variant 2
DSTR 9 B//1▽130 1 1 8 DSTR-9-BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australasia | Vertigo 880 703-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Brazil | Vertigo 880 703-7First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Brazil | Vertigo 880 703-7First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | Vertigo SOVXD 2362First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1985 | Europe | Vertigo 880 703-7 / Vertigo 880 703 - 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Vertigo 880 703-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Vertigo 880 703-7 / Vertigo 880 703 - 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Vertigo 880.703-7 / Vertigo 880 703-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | France | Vertigo 880 703-1 / Vertigo 880.703-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | France | Vertigo 880.703-77", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Germany | Vertigo 880 703-7Q / Vertigo 880 703-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Vertigo 880 703-1Q / Vertigo 880 703-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Germany | Vertigo 880 703-1Q / Vertigo 880 703-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Greece | Vertigo 880 703-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Greece | Vertigo 880703-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
49 vinyl pressings of So Far Away are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, Australia, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is Vertigo DSTR 9, released April 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DSTR 9, DSTR 910, DSTR 912, 880 703-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DSTR 9-A RL DSTR 9 A//1▽130 1 1 1 MASTERDISK and DSTR 9-B DSTR 9 B//1▽130 1 1 1. 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.
