Vinyl pressings
by Hüsker Dü · 1983
Metal Circus 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.
2 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
SST-020-A THAT OLD STAINLESS CHARITY. IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW, SHIRLEY. L-15122 kdiscSide A runout
SST-020-B FALLING FROM GRACE WITH THE GOOSE; HOWARD HUGHES, A WING, A PRAYER. (SEE BELOW) L-15122-X kdiscSide B runout
SST 020A GGA-side etchings
SST 020B GGB-side etchings
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 | US | SST Records SST 020 / Reflex Records REFLEX G12", 45 RPM, EP, Repress | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Repress |
| 1983 | US | SST Records SST 020 / Reflex Records REFLEX GFirst year12", EP, 45 RPM | 12", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | SST Records SST 020 / SST Records 020First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1989 | US | SST Records SST 020 / Reflex Records Reflex G12", EP, 45 RPM, Repress | 12", EP, 45 RPM, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | US | SST Records SST 020 / Reflex Records REFLEX G12", EP, 45 RPM | 12", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1991 | US | SST Records SST 90810", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 10", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 1991 | US | SST Records SST 90810", EP, 45 RPM, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 10", EP, 45 RPM, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 1991 | US | SST Records SST 90810", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue | 10", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue |
| 1991 | US | SST Records SST 90810", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 10", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 1991 | US | SST Records SST 90810", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 10", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 1991 | US | SST Records SST 90810", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 10", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | US | SST Records SST 02012", EP, 45 RPM, Reissue | 12", EP, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | US | SST Records SST 020 / Reflex Records Reflex G12", EP, 45 RPM, Repress | 12", EP, 45 RPM, Repress |
| 2012 | US | SST Records SST 020 / Reflex Records Reflex G12", 45 RPM, EP, Repress | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Repress |
| 2012 | US | SST Records SST 020 / Reflex Records Reflex G12", EP, 45 RPM, Repress · Colored vinyl | 12", EP, 45 RPM, Repress · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | SST Records SST 020 / Reflex Records Reflex G12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, EP, Mispress, Repress | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, EP, Mispress, Repress |
16 vinyl pressings of Metal Circus are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 1983 and 2012.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK. One of them is SST Records SST 020, released October 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SST 020) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SST-020-A THAT OLD STAINLESS CHARITY. IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW, SHIRLEY. L-15122 kdisc and SST-020-B FALLING FROM GRACE WITH THE GOOSE; HOWARD HUGHES, A WING, A PRAYER. (SEE BELOW) L-15122-X kdisc. 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.
