Vinyl pressings
by Eric Robertson · 1982
Piano Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 3 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.
SE-1012-A HERBIE JR(followed by a "smiley face")SIDE A-runout, etched
SE-1012-B HERBIE JR(followed by a "smiley face")SIDE B-runout, etched
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORKSIDES A & B-stamped
NC 635 A Qu [signature]Runouts Side A Variant 1
NC 635 B Qu [signature]Runouts Side B Variant 2
NC K̶F̶ 635 S̶E̶1̶0̶1̶2̶A̶ QuRunouts Side A Variant 2
NC 635 S̶E̶ 1̶0̶1̶2̶ B QuRunouts Side B Variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Canada | K-Tel NC 635First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Silver Eagle Records, Inc. SE-1012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Silver Eagle Records, Inc. NC-1012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Silver Eagle Records, Inc. SE-1012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Silver Eagle Records, Inc. SE-1012First yearLP | LP |
| 1982 | Panama | K-Tel TV-288 / Dinadica TV-288First yearLP | LP |
| 1982 | US | Silver Eagle Records, Inc. SE-1012First yearLP | LP |
| 1982 | US | Silver Eagle Records, Inc. SE-5483First yearLP | LP |
| 1982 | US | Silver Eagle Records, Inc. SE-1012First yearLP | LP |
| 1983 | Belgium | Common Wealth Records CN 0301LP | LP |
| 1983 | New Zealand | K-Tel SE 1012LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Spain | PDI E-30229 / K-TelLP | LP |
| 1983 | US | K-Tel NU-5550LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | J & B Records JB 131LP, Album | LP, Album |
14 vinyl pressings of Piano Hits are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1982 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, Canada, Panama. One of them is Silver Eagle Records, Inc. SE-1012.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SE-1012, SE-5483, NC 635, NC-1012) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SE-1012-A HERBIE JR(followed by a "smiley face") and SE-1012-B HERBIE JR(followed by a "smiley face"). 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.
