Vinyl pressings
by Herbie Hancock · 1984
Hardrock was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 15 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.
P o XSS - 171816- 1B MASTERDISK HW DRunout side A, variant 1
P o XSS - 171817 - 1A MASTERDISK HW ARunout side B, variant 1
P o XSS - 171816- 1B MASTERDISK HW P BRunout side A, variant 2
P o XSS - 171817 - 1A MASTERDISK HW ARunout side B, variant 2
AL-39913-1B (Etched)Side A Runouts
BL-39913-1B P HW (Etched) MASTERDISK (Stamped)Side B Runouts
P ZSS-17186-1B MASTERDISK HWSide A etched, Masterdisk stamped
P ZSS-171887-1A MASTERDISKSide B etched, Masterdisk stamped
ZSS 171886Side A center label
ZSS 171887Side B center label
XXS-171816-1A MASTERDISK Hw D PSide A runout, etched/stamped
XXS-171816-1A MASTERDISK Hw D PSide B runout, etched/stamped
MASTERDISKStamped, both sides
XXS 171816
TA 4616 A1 ΛA side, etched
TA 4616 B1 ΛB side, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | CBS BA 12097First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | CBS BA 223220First year7" | 7" |
| 1984 | Australia | CBS BA 223220First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Columbia 38-04565First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Colombia | CBS 442-1246First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS CBSA 4571 / CBS A 4571First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Germany | CBS CBSA 12.4571First year12" | 12" |
| 1984 | Greece | CBS CBSA 12-4571First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Italy | CBS CBS A 4571First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | CBS/Sony 12AP 2919First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Netherlands | CBS CBSA 12.4571 / CBS A 12.4571First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | CBS BA 223220First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Philippines | CBS CS-10041First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Portugal | CBS A 12.4571First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Spain | CBS CBS A 12.4571First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
26 vinyl pressings of Hardrock are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Columbia 44-05027.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 44-05027, 1C8-39913, 38-04565, TA 4616) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P o XSS - 171816- 1B MASTERDISK HW D and P o XSS - 171817 - 1A MASTERDISK HW A. 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.
