Vinyl pressings
by Gong · 1978
Expresso II 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.
15 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 10 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.
V 2099 A 3 toneSide A runout, variant 1
V 2099 B 3Side B runout, variant 1
V-2099. A-3 tone A 1 2Side A runout, variant 2
V-2099. B-3 A 1 1Side B runout, variant 2
STERLINGStamped both sides, All variants
T1 AB-4204-SA- -2 CTHSide 1 Runout Etched, var 1
T1 AB-4204-SB-2 CTHSide 2 Runout Etched, var 1
T1 AB-4204-SA- -2 CTHSide 1 Runout Etched, var 2
AB-4204-SA • HUBSide A runout, variant 1
AB-4204-SB • STERLING HUBSide B runout, variant 1
AB 4204- SA HUBSide A runout, variant 2
AB- 4204-SB STERLING HUBSide B runout, variant 2
1S AB - 4204 - SA - 1A B3 STERLINGSide A runout
1S AB - 4204-SB CSM-1 STERLING A2Side B runout
AB 4204 SASide A label
AB 4204 SBSide B label
AB-4204-SA [target logo] STERLINGSide A runout
AB-4204-SB [target logo] STERLINGSide B runout
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 | Canada | Arista AB 4204First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Virgin 2473 742First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Virgin 2473 742First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Virgin 25 856 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Greece | Virgin V 2099 / Virgin 2473 742First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Greece | Virgin V 2099 / Virgin 2473 742First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1978 | Italy | Virgin VIL 12099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Italy | Virgin VIL 12099LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Italy | Virgin VIL 12099First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Virgin 25856 XOT / Virgin 25 856 XOTFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Virgin V 2099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4204First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4204First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4204LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4204First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Europe | Virgin 25 856 XOTLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Italy | Virgin OVED 65LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Italy | Virgin OVED 65LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Virgin 25 856 XOTLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Virgin 2473 742LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Virgin 25 856 XOTLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | Virgin VIL 12099LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | Virgin OVED 65LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 65LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
27 vinyl pressings of Expresso II are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1978 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Japan, Canada and more. One of them is Virgin V 2099, released February 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V 2099, AB 4204, VIP-6913, 2473 742) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V 2099 A 3 tone and V 2099 B 3. 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.
