Vinyl pressings
by Dolly Parton · 1979
Great Balls Of Fire 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.
21 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.
AHL1-3361-A-1s A6 B ISide A, etched, stamped A6 and I, Variant 1
AHL1-3361-B-1s B2 D ISide B, etched, stamped B2 and I, Variant 1
AHL1-3361-A-2S I A3 CSide A, etched, stamped A3 and I, Variant 2
AHL1-3361-B-15 I A3 FSide B, stamped, etched F, Variant 2
CPL1-3413A-1 Ⅰ A4ARunout Side A
CPL1-3413B-1 Ⅰ A4DRunout Side B
AHL1-3361A-15Side A, Stamped
AHL1-3361B-17Side B, Stamped
PL 13361-A-5 GEOFFVariant 1 Runout side A, etched
PL 13361-B-IEVariant 1 runout side B, etched
PL 13361-A-IE BIG D W AIPVariant 2 runout side A, etched
PL 13361-B-IE W AILVariant 2 runout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | RCA Victor APL1 3361First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | RCA Victor 104.4138First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | RCA Victor AHL1 3361First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1979 | Canada | RCA Victor AHL 1-3361First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1979 | Canada | RCA Victor AHL 1-3361First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1979 | France | RCA Victor HL 13361First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | RCA Victor PL 13361First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | RCA PL 13361 / RCA Victor PL 13361First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | RCA PL 13361 / RCA Victor PL 13361First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | RCA RVP-6391First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | RCA RVP-6391First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | RCA Victor PL 13361First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | South Africa | RCA AHL 1-3361First yearLP | LP |
| 1979 | Spain | RCA Victor PL-13361First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Spain | RCA Victor PL-13361First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | UK | RCA International INTS 5160 / RCA International NL 43796LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | RCA NL83361LP, Album | LP, Album |
24 vinyl pressings of Great Balls Of Fire are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1979 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, New Zealand, Australia and more. One of them is RCA Victor AHL 1-3361, released May 28, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AHL 1-3361, CPL1-3413, PL 13361, APL1 3361) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AHL1-3361-A-1s A6 B I and AHL1-3361-B-1s B2 D I. 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.
