Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Costello & The Attractions · 1980
High Fidelity was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 6 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.
W-22 XX 3T A1 timtom cbsSide A runout, variant 1
W-23 XX 3T B1 TtY CBSSide B runout, variant 1
W-19 XX 3T A1 timtom cbsSide A runout, variant 2
W-12 XX 3T B-1 TtY CBSSide B runout, variant 2
XX 3 A-1 W5 2 tim tom - cbsRunout, A-side, etched variant 1
XX 3 B-1 W5 2 TY - cbsRunout, B-side, etched variant 1
XX 3 A-1 W-7 tim tom - cbsRunout, A-side, etched variant 2
XX 3 B-1 W5 2 TY - cbsRunout, B-side, etched variant 2
W-1 XX3 A-1 timtom - cbsRunout side A, variant 1
W-1 XX3 A-1 TY-CBSRunout side B, variant 1
W-15 XX 3 A-1 2 timtom - cbsRunout side A, variant 2
W-6 XX3 B-1 TY-CBS 2Runout side B, variant 2
XX 3 A-1 W7 2 tim tom - cbsSide A runout
XX 3 B-1 W10 TY-cbsSide B runout
XX 3 A-1 1 D H tim tom - cbsRunout, A-side, etched
XX 3 B-1 TY-cbs 1 10 RRunout, B-side, etched
XX3ALabel side A
XX3BLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | F-Beat XX3 / F-Beat XX 3First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Ireland | F-Beat XX3TFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | New Zealand | WEA XX3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | F-Beat XX3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | F-Beat XX3TFirst year12" | 12" |
| 1980 | UK | F-Beat XX3First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | F-Beat XX3First year7", Mispress | 7", Mispress |
| 1980 | UK | F-Beat XX3First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | UK | F-Beat XX3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | F-Beat XX3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | F-Beat XX3TFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Germany | F-Beat FB 18 213 / F-Beat XX3First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Japan | F-Beat P-585XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Japan | F-Beat P-585XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
14 vinyl pressings of High Fidelity are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Germany, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is F-Beat XX3T, released April 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use XX3T, XX3, FB 18 213, P-585X) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, W-22 XX 3T A1 timtom cbs and W-23 XX 3T B1 TtY 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.
