Vinyl pressings
by Guns N' Roses · 1988
Sweet Child O' Mine was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 7 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.
7-27963-RE1-A-SR1 1-1Runout, Side A, Etched, Variant 1
7-27963-B-RE2-SR1 1-1Runout, Side B, Etched, Variant 1
7-27963-RE1-A-SR1 1-2Runout, Side A, Etched, Variant 2
7-27963-B-RE2-SR1 1-1Runout, Side B, Etched, Variant 2
7-27963-RE1-A-SH1 ɑ R-20453-Re1-SH1 STERLING 1-1 △207 ̶6̶5̶71A Side Runout
7-27963-B-RE2-SH1 ɑ R-20356-SH1 △20771-X STERLING 1-1B Side Runout
7-27963-AA Side Label
7-27963-BA Side Label
7-27963-DJ-SH1 ɑR-20355-SH1 △20617 1-1etched on both sides
STERLINGstamped on both sides
GEF-43T-A-1 MT. DAMONTSide A runout, hand etched
GEF-43T-B-1 MT. DAMONTSide B runout, hand etched
GEF-43 TE -A-1 MT-Runout side A
GEF-43 TE -B-1 MT-Runout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | Geffen Records 7-27963First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 79637First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 79637First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Europe | Geffen Records 927 794-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Geffen Records 921 011-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Geffen Records 927 794-7 / Geffen Records GEF 55First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Spain | Geffen Records 996First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Spain | Geffen Records 996First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | Geffen Records GEF 43 / Geffen Records 927 794-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | US | Geffen Records 7-27963 / Geffen Records 27963-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | US | Geffen Records 7-27963-DJFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Geffen Records 7-27963-DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Geffen Records 7-27963 / Geffen Records 9 27963-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1988 | UK | Geffen Records GEF 43TV / Geffen Records 921 037-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | UK | Geffen Records GEF 43TE / Geffen Records 921 012-0First year10" | 10" |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | US | Geffen Records B0028153-21 S3 / UMe B0028153-21 S37", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Russia | byA K0H 2237Flexi-disc, 5½", Single Sided | Flexi-disc, 5½", Single Sided |
41 vinyl pressings of Sweet Child O' Mine are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1988 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, Australia, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is Geffen Records 7-27963.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-27963, 7-27963-DJ, GEF 43TV, GEF 43TE) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7-27963-RE1-A-SR1 1-1 and 7-27963-B-RE2-SR1 1-1. 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.
