Vinyl pressings
by Hawkwind · 1981
Sonic Attack 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.
5 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 2 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.
RCALP 6004 A-1UARUNSide A, variant 1
RCALP 6004 B-1USide B, variant 1
RCALP 6004 A-1UARUN : : 1 8Side A, variant 2
RCALP 6004 B-1U 1 6Side B, variant 2
RCALP 6004 A-1U ARUNSide A runout stamped, ARUN hand etched
RCALP 6004 B-1U 1 2Side B runout stamped, no further etching
RCA 137 A-1U 1 4Side C runout
RCA 137 B-1U 1 3Side D runout
RCALP 6004 A-1U ARUN : : 6 2 1Side A runout, stamped/[ARUN] etched
RCALP 6004 B-2U 2 4 JA TAPE ONE 1Side B runout, stamped/[JA TAPE ONE] etched
RCALP 6004 A§ (PL 25380 A)Side A label
RCALP 6004 B§ (PL 25380 B)Side B label
RCALP 6004 A - 1 U ARUNSide A, stamped, "ARUN" etched, variant 1
RCALP 6004 B - 2 USide B, stamped, variant 1
1 RCALP 6004 A - 1U ARUN :: 26Side A, stamped, "ARUN ::" etched, variant 2
JA TAPE ONE 1 RCALP 6004 ̶A̶ ̶ B - 2U 43Side B, stamped, "JA TAPE ONE" etched, variant 2
RCA-PL-25380-A PFSide A, etched
RCA PL-25380-B PFSide B, etched
PL 25380-AOn label A-side
PL 25380-BOn label B-side
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 | Germany | RCA PL 25380 / Active Records PL 25380First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | RCA PL25380 / Active Records PL25380LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | UK | RCA RCALP 6004 / Active Records PL 25380First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | RCA RCALP 6004 / Active Records PL 25380First yearLP, Album, Mispress, Stereo | LP, Album, Mispress, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | RCA RCALP 6004 / Active Records PL 25380First yearLP, Album, Stereo, 7", Single, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo, 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | RCA RCALP 6004 / Active Records PL 25380First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UK | Back On Black RCV104LPLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2013 | UK | Back On Black RCV104LPLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | UK | Atomhenge ATOMLP 2019LP, Album, Stereo, 7", Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo, 7", Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | UK | Atomhenge ATOMLP2019LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | RCA RCALP 6004 / Active Records PL 25380LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
11 vinyl pressings of Sonic Attack are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 1981 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Germany. One of them is RCA RCALP 6004.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RCALP 6004, PL 25380) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RCALP 6004 A-1UARUN and RCALP 6004 B-1U. 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.
