Vinyl pressings
by Frank Zappa · 1978
Studio Tan was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 15 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-1-2291 WW1 #2 ─◁Side A runout, variant 1
DSK-2-2291 WW1 ─◁Side B runout, variant 1
DSK-1-2291 ̶J̶W̶ ̶1̶ WW1 #2 ─◁Side A runout, variant 2
DSK-2-2291 WW1 ─◁Side B runout, variant 2
DSK-1-2291 LW1• ✲Variant1: (Side A runout scratched)
DSK-2-2291 LW2• ✲Variant1: (Side B runout scratched)
DSK-2-2291 LW3• ✲Variant2: (Side B runout scratched)
DSK-1-2291 LW1• 1 ✲Variant3: (Side A runout)
DSK-1-2291 JW1#3 0Side A runout etched 0 stamped - Variant 1
DSK-2-2291 JW1#1 0Side B runout etched 0 stamped - Variant 1
DSK-1-2291 JW2#2 0Side A runout etched 0 stamped - Variant 2
DSK-2-2291 JW1#1 0Side B runout etched 0 stamped - Variant 2
S-10 K-59210 A-1 ALLEN EGRunout A, etched - variant 1
S-4 K-59210 B-1 ALLEN EGRunout B, etched - variant 1
S-8 K-59210 A-1 ALLEN EGRunout A, etched - variant 2
S-7 K-59210 A-1 ALLEN EGRunout B, etched - variant 2
MX189085 DSK 2291 - 1Side A runout
MX189086 DSK 2291 - 2Side B runout
WEA· 59210.A PFRunout side A, etched
WEA· 59210 · B² PFRunout side B, etched
DSK 2291-1Label side A
DSK 2291-2Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Discreet DSK 2291First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Austria | Discreet DIS 59 210 / Discreet DSK 2291First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Belgium | Discreet DIS 59210First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 36.096First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Discreet DSK 2291First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Discreet 59210First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Discreet DIS 59 210 / Discreet DSK 2291First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Discreet DIS 59 210 ULP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Italy | Discreet W 59210First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Discreet P-10612DFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Discreet P-10612DFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Discreet DIS 59210 / Discreet DSK 2291First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Reprise Records DSK 2291 / Discreet DSK 2291First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Portugal | Reprise Records LP-S-68-16First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Portugal | Reprise Records LP-S-68-16First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Greece | Warner Bros. Records 59210 / Discreet 59210LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
24 vinyl pressings of Studio Tan are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Discreet DSK 2291.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DSK 2291, K 59210, DIS 59 210, DIS 59210) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DSK-1-2291 WW1 #2 ─◁ and DSK-2-2291 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.
