Vinyl pressings
by GQ · 1980
GQ Two was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 14 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 9511 SA CS1 A2 STERLING \SRunout A etch / STERLING stamped
AL 9511 SB CS1 T5 STERLING \SRunout B etch / STERLING stamped
AL 9511 SAA Side Label
AL 9511 SBB Side Label
AL 9511 SA H2 HuB STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
AL 9511 SB H2 HuB STERLINGB-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
AL 9511 SA K2 STERLING A-1 <A-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
AL 9511 SB K1 STERLING A-1 <B-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
A-1 ᐉ AL 9511 SA K2A-Side Runout Etching
A-2 ᐉ AL 9511 SB K1B-Side Runout Etching
AL 9511 SAA-Side Label
AL 9511 SBB-Side Label
T 1 AL 9511 SA CT1Runout A etch / STERLING stamped
AL 9511 SB CP1Runout B etch / STERLING stamped
AL 9511 SAA Side Label
AL 9511 SBB Side Label
AL 9511 SA CP2 STERLING PRunout A etch / STERLING stamped
AL 9511 SB CT1 B STERLING T1Runout B etch / STERLING stamped
AL 9511 SAA Side Label
AL 9511 SBB Side Label
T \ AL 9511 SA CT2 B STERLINGSide A Runout
T \ AL 9511 SB CT1 C6 STERLINGSide B Runout
AL 9511 SASide A Label
AL 9511 SBSide B Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Brazil | Arista 201.436First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista AL 509511First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista AL 9511First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Arista ARS 39005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Arista 25RS-77First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Arista 25RS-77First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Arista 201.436 / Arista 201 436First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Arista AL 9511First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Panama | Arista AL 9511First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Philippines | Arista AR-1006 / Arista AL-9511First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Arista AL 9511First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | South Africa | Arista ASTJ85First yearLP | LP |
| 1980 | Spain | Arista I-201.436First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Arista SPART 1116First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Arista AL 9511First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Not On LabelLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
22 vinyl pressings of GQ Two are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Arista AL 9511.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 9511, SPART 1116, 201.436, AL 509511) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 9511 SA CS1 A2 STERLING \S and AL 9511 SB CS1 T5 STERLING \S. 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.
