Vinyl pressings
by Golden Earring · 1975
Switch was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 19 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.
AA 2344 046 1Y 1 112 MELY. I.B.C.Runout side A, variant 1
AA 2344 046 2Y 1 118 MELY I.B.C.Runout side B, variant 1
AA 2344 046 1Y 1 115 MELY. I.B.C.Runout side A, variant 2
AA 2344 046 2Y 1 113 MELY. I.B.C.Runout side B, variant 2
24006117 A//1 IB 11 4 MELYS.Runout Side A, variant 1
24006117 B//1 IB 11 11 1 MELYRunout Side B, variant 1
24006117 A//1 IB 11 4 MELYS.Runout Side A, variant 2
24006117 B//1 IB 11 1 MELYRunout Side B, variant 2
MCA 708-W1 ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout, variant 1
MCA 709-W1 ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout, variant 1
MCA 708-W1- ⧈-G-⧈ 3Side A runout, variant 2
MCA 709-W1- ⧈-G-⧈ 1Side B runout, variant 2
MCA 708-W2 ◈-P-◈ IIIEtched side A, except ◈-P-◈ stamped, variant 1
MCA 709-W2 ◈-P-◈ IIII IIIEtched side B, except ◈-P-◈ stamped, variant 1
MCA 708-W2- ◈-P-◈ IIIEtched side A, except ◈-P-◈ stamped, variant 2
MCA 709-W2-1 ◈-P-◈ IIII III IIEtched side B, except ◈-P-◈ stamped, variant 2
MCA 708-W2Side A
MCA 709-W2Side B
MCA-708-W1 # 2 回-G-回 4Side A runout variant 1
MCA 709-W1- 回-G-回 4Side B runout variant 1
MCA-708-W1- 回-G-回 4Side A runout variant 2
MCA 709-W1- 回-G-回 4Side B runout variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Polydor 2310 381First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Austria | Polydor 2417 301First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Brazil | Polydor 2310381First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | France | Polydor 2310 381First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Greece | Polydor 2310 381First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Greece | International Polydor Production 2310 381First yearLP, Album, White Label, Stereo | LP, Album, White Label, Stereo |
| 1975 | Italy | Polydor 2310 381 AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Polydor MP 2471First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Malaysia | Polydor 2310 381First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Mexico | Polydor LRG 16161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Polydor 2344 046First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Rhodesia | Polydor 2310 381First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2417 301First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | South Africa | Polydor 2310 381First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Spain | Polydor 23 10 381First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2139 / MCA Records MCA 2139LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Germany | Pop Karussell 2872 104LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Pop Karussell 2872 104LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Polydor 2482 585LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2772 / Red Bullet RB33.207LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2772 / Red Bullet RB33.207LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 2025 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP3919 / Artone Label Group MOVLP3919LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2139 / MCA Records MCA 2139LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2139 / Track Record MCA-2139LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | France | Polydor 2310381LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
36 vinyl pressings of Switch are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1975 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in Netherlands, UK, US, Canada and more. One of them is Polydor 2344 046.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2344 046, 2406 117, MCA-2139, 2417 301) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AA 2344 046 1Y 1 112 MELY. I.B.C. and AA 2344 046 2Y 1 118 MELY I.B.C.. 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.
