Vinyl pressings
by Heavy Pettin · 1983
Lettin Loose was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 9 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.
HEPLP 1 A // 2 ▽ 420 V 11 3Side 1 (Variant 1)
HEPLP 1 B // 2 ▽ 420 V 11 1Side 2 (Variant 1)
HEPLP 1 A // 2 ▽ 420 V 11 1Side 1 (Variant 2)
HEPLP 1 B // 2 ▽ 420 V 11 1Side 2 (Variant 2)
422-815 453-1AS PRC-C1-1-1Etched, Runout Side A
422-815 453-1BS PRC-C1-1-1Etched, Runout Side B
TML-MStamped, Runout Side A
TML.SStamped, Runout Side D
A-1 ⟷ 422-815 453-1AS [TML-S stamp]Side A, etched
A-1 ⟷ 422-815 453-1BS [TML-M stamp]Side A, etched
422-815 453-1AS PRC-C1-1-1Side A Runout, Hand-Etched
TML-MSide A Runout, Stamped
422-815 453-1BS PRC-C1-1-1Side B Runout, Hand-Etched
TML-CSide B Runout, Stamped
(CR) PDS-1-6386A SNB 230 ELRunout A
(CR) PDS-1-6386B SNB 230 ELRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | Polydor PDS-1-6386First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | Polydor 815 453-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Polydor 815 453-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | Polydor 815453LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Greece | Polydor HEPLP 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Polydor 815 453-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Spain | Polydor 815 453-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK & Europe | Polydor HEPLP 1 / Polydor 815 453-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Polydor 422-815 453-1Y1 / Polydor 422-815 453-1 Y1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Polydor 815 453-1 Y-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Polydor 422-815 453-1 Y-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0319First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Argentina | Polydor 27193LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Brazil | Polydor 815 453-1 / Polydor 8154531LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Mexico | Polydor 815 453-1 / Polydor LPR 16495LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
16 vinyl pressings of Lettin Loose are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK & Europe, US, Japan, Canada and more. One of them is Polydor HEPLP 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HEPLP 1, 422-815 453-1Y1, 422-815 453-1 Y-1, 815 453-1 Y-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HEPLP 1 A // 2 ▽ 420 V 11 3 and HEPLP 1 B // 2 ▽ 420 V 11 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.
