Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1983
Too Low For Zero was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
51 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 26 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.
HISPD 24 A//1▽420 C 1 14Runout Side A Stamped, variant 1
timtom cbsRunout Side A Etched, variant 1
HISPD 24 B//2▽420 C 12 11Runout Side B Stamped, variant 1
HISPD 24 A//1▽420 C 1 1 2 5 timtom-cbsRunout Side A, variant 2
HISPD 24 A//2▽420 C 13 13Side A runout stamped variant 1
TimTom cbsSide A runout etched variant 1
HISPD 24 B//1▽420 C 14 1Side B runout stamped variant 1
TySide B runout etched variant 1
HISPD 24 A//1▽420 C 1 15Runout Side A Stamped
timtom cbsRunout Side A Etched
HISPD 24 B//3▽420W C 11 1 (ISPD3 crossed thru)Runout Side B Stamped
HISPD 24 A // 4 ▽ 420 W PPSide A runout
HISPD 24 B // 1 ▽ 420 C TYSide B runout
HISPD 24 A // 1 ▽ 420 C 1 1 3U timtom-cbsSide A Variant 1 stamped except "timtom-cbs" etched
HISPD 24 B // 1 ▽ 420 C 14 4 TYSide A Variant 1 stamped except "TY" etched
GHS-1-4006-SH3 ɑ B-17971-SH3 [Artisan logo]GF SLM Δ4142 1-1Side 1 runout, etched, variant 1
GHS-2-4006-SH4 ɑ B-17972-SH4 [Artisan logo]GF SLM Δ4142-X 1-1Side 2 runout, etched, variant 1
GHS-1-4006-SH4 ɑ B-17971-SH4 [Artisan logo]GF SLM Δ4142 1-1Side 1 runout, etched, variant 2
GHS-2-4006-SH3 ɑ B-17972-SH3 [Artisan logo]GF SLM Δ4142-X 1-1Side 2 runout, etched, variant 2
GHS-1-4006-SH4 ɑ B-17971-SH4 [Artisan logo]GF SLM Δ 4142 1-1Side 1 runout
GHS-2-4006-SH3 ɑ B-17972-SH3 [Artisan logo]GF SLM Δ 4142-X 1-1Side 2 runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Argentina | The Rocket Record Company 27019 / The Rocket Record Company 811 052-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australasia | The Rocket Record Company 811 052-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australasia | The Rocket Record Company 811 052-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australasia | The Rocket Record Company 811 052-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australasia | The Rocket Record Company 811 052-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australasia | The Rocket Record Company 811 052-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Brazil | The Rocket Record Company 81105210 / The Rocket Record Company 811 052-1 0First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 4006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS-4006LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | Colombia | The Rocket Record Company 811 052-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Ecuador | The Rocket Record Company LP-36005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | The Rocket Record Company 811 052-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 811 052-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 811 052-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 40 080 4LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | The Rocket Record Company 5707084 / Mercury 5707084LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2017 | Europe | The Rocket Record Company 5707084 / Mercury 5707084LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 4006LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS-4006LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Not On Label 811 052-1LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| ? | South Korea | High Stereo Light 674LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
65 vinyl pressings of Too Low For Zero are listed here, from 29 countries, released between 1983 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Argentina, Australasia and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company HISPD 24.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HISPD 24, HIS PD 24, GHS 4006, 27019) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HISPD 24 A//1▽420 C 1 14 and timtom cbs. 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.
