Vinyl pressings
by Gino Vannelli · 1981
Nightwalker 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.
29 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 21 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.
AL 9539-SA-RE TVI HUBRunout Side 1, Variant 1
AL 9539-SB-RE TVIRunout Side 2, Variant 1
AL 9539-SA-RE TVI HUBRunout Side 1, Variant 2
AL 9539-SB-RE TVI HUBRunout Side 2, Variant 2
1S AL-9539-SA-RE S1Runout side A, variant 1
1S AL 9539-SB-RE S1 BHRunout side B, variant 1
1S AL-9539-SA-RE S1 o ARunout side A, variant 2
1S AL 9539-SB-RE S2 o A1Runout side B, variant 2
AL 9539-SA-RE M2 MR △25013 (2)Runout side A hand-etched, variant 1
AL 9539-SB-RE M3 MR △25013X (3)Runout side B hand-etched, variant 1
AL 9539-SA-RE M2 MR △25013 (2)Runout side A hand-etched, variant 2
AL 9539-SB-RE M3 MR △25013XRunout side B hand-etched, variant 2
T\ AL 9539-SA-RE1 ᴛ₁ A₇A Side Runout, variant 1
T\ AL 9539-SB-RE ᴛ₂ C₄B Side Runout, variant 1
T\ AL 9539-SA-RE T2 [scratched out] A IIA Side Runout, variant 2
T\ AL 9539-SB-RE T2 - [scratched out] DB Side Runout, variant 2
A-2 ᐉ AL 9539-SA-RE KIRunout A etched, ᐉ stamped
A-2 ᐉ AL 9539-SB-RE KIRunout B etched, ᐉ stamped
AL 9539 SAMatrix A on label
AL 9539 SBMatrix B on label
AL-9539- ̶ ̶S̶A̶-̶R̶E̶-̶P̶6̶ AS-RE-P6 =Runout Side A [Etched], Variant 1
AL-9539-SB-RE P1Runout Side B [Etched], Variant 1
CRunout Side B [Pressed]
AL 9539 SALabel Side A
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 | Australia | Arista L 37459 / Arista L-37,459First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | Arista 203 178First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Arista AL 9539First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Arista AL 509539LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | Canada | Arista AL 9539First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Colombia | Arista 18(0931)00175First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Arista 202 849First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Arista 203 178First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Arista 203 178First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | Arista 6483319LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Greece | Arista 6483319First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Guatemala | Arista AL 9539First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Arista ARS 39086First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Arista 25RS-116First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Arista 25RS-116First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Arista AL 9539LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | Arista 203 178LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Arista ARS 1176LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
34 vinyl pressings of Nightwalker are listed here, from 22 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Arista AL 9539.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 9539, SPART 1148, L 37459, 203 178) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 9539-SA-RE TVI HUB and AL 9539-SB-RE TVI. 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.
