Vinyl pressings
by Eagles · 1979
Heartache Tonight 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.
36 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
ES 46545 A 1SP STERLINGVariant 1: Side A runout area
ES 46545 B1 SP1 STERLINGVariant 1: Side B runout area
ES 46545 A 6 SP STERLING 1-3Variant 2: Side A runout area
ES 46545 B1 SP1 STERLING 0-1 SM1-3Variant 2: Side B runout area
ES 46545 A 5 PRC-1 STERLINGSide A runout
ES 46545 B 5 PRC-1 STERLINGSide B runout
ES 46545 A 2 AR [STERLING] R-4941Side A Runout, etched [stamped]
ES 46545 B 24R [STERLING] R-4942Side B Runout, etched [stamped]
O-19M1-1 ES 46545 A SP STERLINGRun-out A (stereo)
O-1 EM 46545 A-SP STERLINGRun-out B (mono)
K12394 A2 STRAWBERRYSide 1 (Variant 1)
K12394 B2 STRAWBERRYSide 2 (Variant 2)
S-4 K12394 A1 STRAWBERRYSide 1
S-1 K12394 B1 STRAWBERRYSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Asylum Records E 46545First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Brazil | Asylum Records 12.048First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Asylum Records E 46545First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Asylum Records E 46545First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Chile | Asylum Records E-46545First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Ecuador | Elektra 45-85005 / Elektra E-46545First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | El Salvador | Elektra CA-10846First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | Asylum Records 12 394First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | Asylum Records 12 394First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Asylum Records AS 12 394First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Italy | Asylum Records W 12394First year7" | 7" |
| 1979 | Italy | Asylum Records W 12394First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | Asylum Records P-491YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | Asylum Records P-491YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Mexico | Asylum Records G-2240First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Poland | Tonpress R-1008Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Card Backed, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Card Backed, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Asylum Records AS 12 3947", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | Asylum Records K 12394 / Asylum Records E-465457", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Not On Label7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | US | Not On Label7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
41 vinyl pressings of Heartache Tonight are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Germany, Australia and more. One of them is Asylum Records E-46545, released September 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use E-46545, E-46545-A, K 12394, AS 12 394) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ES 46545 A 1SP STERLING and ES 46545 B1 SP1 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.
