Vinyl pressings
by Gabor Szabo · 1971
High Contrast was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. 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 1971, 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.
S BTS-28 5057-A-1B [Artisan Sound Logo] A3A etched, [Artisan Sound Logo] stamped
S2 BTS-28-B 1B [Artisan Sound Logo] A2B etched, [Artisan Sound Logo] stamped
5057A label
5058B label
BTS-28 5058BA Side Etched
BTS-28 5057AB Side Etched
BTS-28 T 1 5057-1A Side Etched; Drum Sticks Logo
1 T BTS-28 5058-2B Side Etched; Drum Sticks Logo
x 1 S BTS-28 5057-A-1B B1Side A runout, etched
Sᄅ BTS-28 5057-B 1B B 5Side B runout, etched
[Two circles with 2 sticks or a drum with 2 drumsticks]Sides A & B runouts, stamped
BTS 28 (5057)Side A label
P BTS-28 5057 [Artisan Logo]Runout A, variant 1
P BTS-28 5058 [Artisan Logo]Runout B, variant 1
P BTS-28 5057 1 [Artisan Logo] A2Runout A, variant 2
P BTS-28 5058 [Artisan Logo] A3Runout B, variant 2
BTS-28 5057 [Artisan Stamp]Runout A
BTS-28 5058 [Artisan Stamp]Runout B
5057Label A
5058Label B
BTS-28 5058-A 1AA Side Etched;Drum Sticks Logo
BTS-28 5058-B 1BB Side Etched;Drum Sticks Logo
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | Blue Thumb Records BTS 28First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | Blue Thumb Records SR 701First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | Blue Thumb Records SR 701First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 28First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 28First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 28First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 28First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 28First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 28First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Japan | MCA Records VIM 5601LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | Affinity AFF 193LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | ABC Blue Thumb YZ-8050-AULP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| ? | US | ABC Blue Thumb BTS 28LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of High Contrast are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1971 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Canada, Japan. One of them is Blue Thumb Records BTS 28, released July 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BTS 28, SR 701) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S BTS-28 5057-A-1B [Artisan Sound Logo] A3 and S2 BTS-28-B 1B [Artisan Sound Logo] A2. 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.
