Vinyl pressings
by Hank Williams Jr. · 1981
The Pressure Is On 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.
12 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 5 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.
5E-535-A1-SH-AR + Masterfonics SLM + + △741 [Allied 'a' logo] B-15890Side A runout
5E-535-B1-SH-AR + Masterfonics SLM + ++ △741-X [Allied 'a' logo] B-15891Side B runout
5E-535-A (AR)Side A label
5E-535-B (AR)Side B label
5E-535-A-SP-ED SP 0-1 SM1-1 Masterfonics (EDP)Side A runout, variant 1
5E-535-B-ED-SP SP 0-2 SM1-1 Masterfonics (EDP) M2SF1 SM1Side B runout, variant 1
5E-535-A-SP-ED SP 0-2 SM1-2 Masterfonics EDP M2SF1SM1Side A runout, variant 2
5E-535-B-ED-SP SP 0-1 SM2-1 Masterfonics EDP M2Side B runout, variant 2
5E-535-A1-SH-AR + Masterfonics SLM ++ Δ741 B-15890Side 1 Runout
5E-535-B1-SH-AR + Masterfonics SLM ++++ Δ741-X B-15891SIde 2 Runout
5E-535-A-SP-ED SP 0-1 Masterfonics EDP M2Side A runout, etched (exc. Masterfonics and EDP), variant 1
5E-535-B-SP-ED SP 0-1 Masterfonics EDP M2Side B runout, etched (exc. Masterfonics and EDP), variant 1
5E-535-A1-SH-AR + Masterfonics SLM ++ △741 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-15890Side A Runout
5E-535-B1-SH-AR + Masterfonics SLM ++ △741-X [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-15891Side B Runout
5E-535-ASide A label
5E-535-BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Elektra 5E 535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra X5E-535 / Curb Records X5E-535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra X5E-535 / Curb Records X5E-535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | Elektra ELK K 52 314 / Curb Records 5E-535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Elektra ELK K 52 314 / Elektra ELK 52 314First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Elektra 5E-535 / Curb Records 5E-535First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Elektra 5E-535 / Curb Records 5E-535First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Elektra 5E-535LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | US | Elektra 5E-535First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Curb Records D1-77727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Elektra 5E-535 / Elektra 5E 535LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1981 | US | Elektra 5E-535 / Curb Records 5E-535LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | US | Warner Bros. Records 5E-535 / Curb Records 5E-535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Warner Bros. Records 5E-535 / Curb Records 5E-535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Elektra 5E-535 / Elektra 5E 535LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | US | Curb Records D1-77727LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | Curb Records D1-77727LP, Album | LP, Album |
18 vinyl pressings of The Pressure Is On are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1981 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Australia, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Elektra 5E-535.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5E-535, D1-77727, 5E 535, X5E-535) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5E-535-A1-SH-AR + Masterfonics SLM + + △741 [Allied 'a' logo] B-15890 and 5E-535-B1-SH-AR + Masterfonics SLM + ++ △741-X [Allied 'a' logo] B-15891. 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.
