Vinyl pressings
by Ian Hunter · 1981
Short Back N' Sides 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.
22 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
203941 A1/81S IIISide A runout stamped, variant 1
203941 B1/81S IIISide B runout stamped, variant 1
203941 A1/81S III Made in GermanySide A runout stamped, variant 2
203941 B1/81S III Made in GermanySide B runout stamped, variant 2
203941 A1/81S III Made in GermanySide A runout, stamped, variant 1
203941 B1/81S III Made in GermanySide B runout, stamped, variant 1
203941 A -1/81S IIISide A runout, stamped, variant 2
203941 B-1/81S IIISide B runout, stamped, variant 2
1S CHR-1326-AS-RE 1-1 MASTERDISK RL SXEtched Side A, except "MASTERDISK" stamped
1S CHR-1326-BS-RE-5 SX MASTERDISK BKEtched Side B, except "MASTERDISK" stamped
1S CHR-1326-AS-RE 1-2 MASTERDISK RL SXvariant 2 Etched Side A, except "MASTERDISK" stamped
1S CHR-1326-BS-RE-6 SX MASTERDISK BKvariant 2 Etched Side B, except "MASTERDISK" stamped
CHR-1326-AS-RE1-3 SXT MASTERDISK RLSide A, variant 1
CHR-1326B-RE1-1C T1 COLUMBIA NYSide B, variant 1
CHR-1326-AS-RE1 4 SX MASTERDISK RL 5Side A, variant 2
CHR-1326B-RE1-1B S1 COLUMBIA NY SXSide B, variant 2
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 | Chrysalis L 37583First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | Chrysalis L 37583First yearLP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | Chrysalis CHR 1326First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Chrysalis CHM 41326First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Chrysalis CHR 1326LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | France | Chrysalis CHR 1326First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Chrysalis 203 941-320 / Chrysalis 203 941First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Chrysalis 203 941-320 / Chrysalis 203 941First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | Chrysalis 6399 298First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | Chrysalis 6399 298First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1981 | Ireland | Chrysalis CHR 1326First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Chrysalis WWS-81441 / Chrysalis CHR-1326First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 203 941-320 / Chrysalis 203 941First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Chrysalis L 37583First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Norway | Chrysalis CHR 1326First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Europe | Chrysalis Catalogue CRVX1326LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
26 vinyl pressings of Short Back N' Sides are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1981 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Germany, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Chrysalis 203 941-320.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 203 941-320, CHR 1326, L 37583, CHM 41326) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 203941 A1/81S III and 203941 B1/81S III. 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.
