Vinyl pressings
by Gang Of Four · 1981
Solid Gold was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. 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 1981, the album's first year, in 12 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.
⇀ EMC 3364 A-2 7 [perpendicular] Nick WVariant 1, Side A stamped [Nick W etched]
↽ EMC 3364 B-2 2 [perpendicular]Variant 1, Side B stamped
⇀ EMC 3364 A-2 3 [perpendicular] Nick WVariant 2, Side A stamped [Nick W etched]
↽ EMC 3364 B-2 4 [perpendicular]Variant 2, Side B stamped
⇀ EMC 3364 A-2 7 [perpendicular] Nick WVariant 1, Side A stamped [Nick W etched]
↽ EMC 3364 B-2 2 [perpendicular]Variant 1, Side B stamped
⇀ EMC 3364 A-2 3 [perpendicular] Nick WVariant 2, Side A stamped [Nick W etched]
↽ EMC 3364 B-2 4 [perpendicular]Variant 2, Side B stamped
BSK-1-3565-LW1 ･ ✻Run-out A side, variant 1
BSK-2-3565-LW4 ･ ✻Run-out B side, variant 1
BSK-1-3565-LW2 ･ ✻Run-out A side, variant 2
BSK-2-3565-LW4 ･ ✻Run-out B side, variant 2
BSK-1-3565-WW1 • ----◄Side A runout, variant 1
BSK-2-3565-WW1 • ----◄Side B runout, variant 1
BSK-1-3565-WW1#2 • ----◄Side A runout, variant 2
BSK-2-3565-WW1#2 • ----◄Side B runout, variant 2
BSK-1-3565-JW1 #2 0Run-out A side
BSK-2-3565-JW1 #1 0Run-out B side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records XBS 3565First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | EMI 2C 070 07460First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | EMI 2C070077460First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1981 | Germany | EMI 1C 064-07 460 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-07 460First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | EMI 1C 064-07 460 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-07 460First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | EMI 3C 064-07460First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | EMI EMS-81416 / EMI EMC 3364First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | EMI EMS-81416 / EMI EMC 3364LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 062-07460First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 062-07460First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | EMI EMC 3364First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Portugal | EMI 11C-076-07460First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | EMI EMC 3364First yearLP, Single Sided, Album, White Label | LP, Single Sided, Album, White Label |
| 1981 | UK | EMI EMC 3364 / EMI 0C 062-07 460First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1981 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton LSEMI 73121 / EMI EMC 3364First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | US | Obscure Alternatives OAR 1107LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue |
| 2015 | USA, Canada & Europe | Warner Bros. Records EMC 3364 / Warner Bros. Records 0825646089499LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | US | Matador OLE1566LPLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | EMI EMC.2729LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | EMI Electrola 1C 064-07 460LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Germany | EMI Electrola 1C 064-07 460LP, Album, Misprint, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Misprint, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Ireland | EMI EMC 3364LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Netherlands | EMI Electrola 6-502 608 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-07 460LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | New Zealand | EMI EMC 3364 / EMI 0C 062-07 460LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
32 vinyl pressings of Solid Gold are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1981 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is EMI EMC 3364, released March 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMC 3364, BSK 3565, EMC.2729, XBS 3565) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ⇀ EMC 3364 A-2 7 [perpendicular] Nick W and ↽ EMC 3364 B-2 2 [perpendicular]. 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.
