Vinyl pressings
by Frank Zappa · 1979
Sleep Dirt was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 16 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.
DSK-1-2292 WW1Runout Side A, variant 1
DSK-2-2292 WW1Runout Side B, variant 1
DSK-1-2292 WW1#3Runout Side A, variant 2
DSK-2-2292 WW1#2Runout Side B, variant 2
DSK-1-2292 LW1 ✲Side 1, etched, ✲ stamped, variant 1
DSK-2-2292 LW2 ✲Side 2, etched, ✲ stamped, variant 1
DSK-1-2292 LW4 ✲Side 1, etched, ✲ stamped, variant 2
DSK-2-2292 LW2 ✲Side 2, etched, ✲ stamped, variant 2
DSK-1-2292 JW2#1Runout side A etched, variant 1
DSK-2-2292 JW2#1Runout side B etched, variant 1
DSK-1-2292 JW1#1Runout side A etched, variant 2
DSK-2-2292 JW2#2Runout side B etched, variant 2
K-59211-A-1 TimTomA-side runout, hand etched
K-59211-B-1 TYB-side runout, hand etched
K 59211 ASide A label
K 59211 BSide B label
K-59211-A1Runout side A
K-59211-B1Runout side B
36.107-A DSK 2292 X1Handwritten Side A
36.107-B DSK 2292 X1Handwritten 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Austria | Discreet DIS 59 211First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Belgium | Discreet DIS 59 211First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | France | Discreet DIS 59211First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Discreet DIS 59 211First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Israel | Discreet BAN 59211First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Discreet W 59211First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Discreet W 59211First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Discreet DIS 59211First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Discreet DSK 2292First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Reprise Records DSK 2292 / Discreet DSK 2292First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Portugal | Discreet LP-S-68-19First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records S 90.125First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records S 90.125First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Turkey | Warner Bros. Records DSK 2292 / Warner Bros. Records 1105First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Discreet K59211 / Discreet DSK2292First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Greece | Warner Bros. Records 59211LP, Album | LP, Album |
24 vinyl pressings of Sleep Dirt are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Discreet DSK 2292, released January 19, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DSK 2292, K 59211, K59211, 36.107) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DSK-1-2292 WW1 and DSK-2-2292 WW1. 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.
