Vinyl pressings
by Isaac Hayes · 1979
Don't Let Go was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 16 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.
PD 2011 79 NP 4383-S-PRC- ̶C̶ 1-1-1 MasterfonicsA side runout, variant 1
PD 2011 79NP 4423-S-PRC- ̶C̶-1-1-1 MasterfonicsB side runout, variant 1
PD 2011 79NP-4383-S-PRC-R-1-1-1 Masterfonics PRCA side runout, variant 2
PD 2011 79 NP 4423-S-PRC- ̶C̶-1-1-1 MasterfonicsB side runout, variant 2
PD-2011-79-NP-4383-S-PRCR-3-11-1A-Side Runout Etching
PD-2011 79 NP 4423-S-PRC-R-3-1-11B-Side Runout Etching
79 NP 4383A-Side Label
79 NP 4423B-Side Label
p PD-2011 79 NP 4383-S-CP-1 MasterfonicsA-Side Runout Etching
p PD 2011 79 NP 4432-S-CP Masterfonics AB-Side Runout Etching
79 NP 4383 SA-Side Label
79 NP 4423 SB-Side Label
PD 2011 79NP-4383-S-PRC-R-1-1-1 Masterfonics PRCA side runout, variant 1
PD 2011 79 NP 4423-S-PRC-R-1-111-1 MasterfonicsB side runout, variant 1
PD 2011 79 NP 4383-S-PRC-C MASTERFONICSA side runout, variant 2
PD 2011 79 NP 4423-S-PRC-R-1-III-I MASTERFONICSB side runout, variant 2
PRO 103 79 NP 4383-S-CP-3 MasterfonicsRunout side A
̶P̶R̶O̶ ̶1̶0̶3̶ ̶7̶9̶ ̶N̶P̶ ̶4̶3̶8̶4̶-̶S̶-̶-̶L̶O̶N̶G̶-̶C̶P̶-̶5̶ Masterfonics PRO 103 79 NP-4383-S-LONG-CP-5Runout side B
79 NP 4383Label side A
79 NP 4383 LONGLabel side B
PD 2011 79NP 4383-S-CP MasterfonicsRunout Etchings (Both Sides)
79 NP 4383 SLabels
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Polydor 2141 183First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Belgium | Polydor 2121 401First year7" | 7" |
| 1979 | Canada | Polydor PD 2011First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany & Switzerland | Polydor PRO 103First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Italy | Polydor 2121401 / Polydor 2121 401First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Italy | Polydor 2141 183First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Polydor DPQ6179First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Polydor DPQ6179First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Mexico | Polydor 3014 / Polydor 2141 192First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | Mexico | Polydor 3014 / Polydor 2141 192First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | Mexico | Polydor 3014 / Polydor 2141 192First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | Mexico | Polydor S/N 161First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Mexico | Polydor 3014 / Polydor 2141 192First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Polydor 2121 401First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Polydor POLY 57First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Polydor 2121 4017", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Guatemala | Polydor 2121 4017", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
30 vinyl pressings of Don't Let Go are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Polydor PD 2011.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD 2011, PRO 103, STEPX 4, STEP 4) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PD 2011 79 NP 4383-S-PRC- ̶C̶ 1-1-1 Masterfonics and PD 2011 79NP 4423-S-PRC- ̶C̶-1-1-1 Masterfonics. 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.
