Vinyl pressings
by Firefall · 1980
Undertow 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 10 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.
STA.804455 - A SP STERLING 0-3Side A runout, variant 1
STA.804456 - A STERLING 0-1 Sm 1-1Side B runout, variant 1
STA·804455-A SP 0-1 SM 1-1 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
STA·804456-A SP 0-1 SM 3-3 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
STA-804455-A MO △24718 (1)16006 STERLINGRunout A, variant 1
STA804459-A MO △24718-X (1)16006 STERLINGRunout B, variant 1
STA-804455-A MO △24718 ② 16006 STERLINGRunout A, variant 2
STA804456-A MO △24718-X (1) 16006 STERLINGRunout B, variant 2
RI5005A SP 1 0-1 SM1-1 A1Matrix Side A
R15000B 1 0-ESM1-1 A3Matrix 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 | Argentina | Atlantic 208819First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Australia | Atlantic SD-16006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Atlantic XSD 16006 / Atlantic XSD 16006 CFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Atlantic SD 16006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 665First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 665LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Italy | Atlantic ATL 50 665First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Atlantic ATL 50665First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | Atlantic ATC 9736First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Atlantic S 90.255First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Atlantic SD 16006First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Atlantic SD 16006First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Atlantic SD 16006LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1980 | US | Atlantic SD 16006First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Atlantic SD 16006LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 665LP, Album | LP, Album |
19 vinyl pressings of Undertow are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Japan, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 16006.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 16006, P-10745A, 208819, SD-16006) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STA.804455 - A SP STERLING 0-3 and STA.804456 - A STERLING 0-1 Sm 1-1. 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.
