Vinyl pressings
by Electric Light Orchestra · 1978
Wild West Hero was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 5 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.
JET.109.A-2 ALLENA-Side - Etched
30 OA-Side - Stamped
JET.109.B-2B-Side - Etched
30 DB-Side - Stamped
JET.109.A-2 B ALLENRunout side A, etched + stamped, variant 1
JET.109.B-2 3 BRunout side B, etched + stamped, variant 1
JET.109.A-2 Λ ALLEN ΛRunout side A, etched + stamped, variant 2
JET.109.B-2 Λ 1 2Runout side B, etched + stamped, variant 2
JET.109.A-2 ALLEN CA-side runout, etched [C stamped], variant 1
JET.109.B-2 ⋀ 2 CB-side runout etched [⋀ 2 C stamped], variant 1
JET.109.A-2 ALLEN 16 ⋀A-side runout, etched variant 2
JET.109.B-2 22 ⋀B-side runout, etched variant 2
JET.109.A-2 ALLEN CA-Side - etched + stamped variant 1
JET.109.B-2 3 CB-Side - etched + stamped variant 1
JET.109.A-2 22 D ALLENA-Side - etched + stamped variant 2
JET.109.B-2 17 CB-Side - etched + stamped variant 2
JET · 12109-A' 2≡ ALLENA-side runout variant 1
JET: 12109 B2 1≡B-side runout variant 1
JET · 12109-A1 1≡ F ALLENA-side runout variant 2
JET: 12109 B2 A 1≡B-side runout variant 2
JET • 12109 • A' G 1≡ E ALLENA-side (Variant 1
JET • 12109 • A' G 2≡ E ALLENA-side (Variant 2
JET •12109 • B3 G 1≡ EB-side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Jet Records JS 003First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Europe | Jet Records JET 109First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Jet Records JET S 109 / Jet Records JET 109First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Ireland | Jet Records S JET 109First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Jet Records S JET 12109First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | UK | Jet Records S JET 12109First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | UK | Jet Records JET109 / Jet Records S JET109First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | UK | Jet Records S JET 109First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Jet Records S JET 12109First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | UK | Jet Records JET 109 / Jet Records S JET 109First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Jet Records JET 109 / Jet Records S JET 109First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Jet Records S JET 109First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Jet Records JET 109 / Jet Records S JET 109First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Jet Records JS 0037", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
14 vinyl pressings of Wild West Hero are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Europe, Germany, Ireland and more. One of them is Jet Records JET 109, released May 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JET 109, S JET 109, S JET 12109, JET109) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, JET.109.A-2 ALLEN and 30 O. 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.
