Vinyl pressings
by Isaac Hayes · 1973
Joy was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. 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 1973, 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.
SON STXS-0636-4 ES-0529 -L.NIX-Side A runout, variant 1
SON STXS-0637-4 ES-0530 ⓶ M11 -L.NIX-Side B runout, variant 1
SON STXS-0636-4 ES-0529 -L.NIX-Side A runout, variant 2
SON STXS-0637-4 ES-0530 ⓶ -L.NIX-Side B runout, variant 2
STXS-0636-2 ES-0529 ⓶ -L.NIX- MR [circled]Side A Runout
STXS-0637-2 ES-0530 ⓶ -L.NIX- MR [circled]Side B Runout
STXS-0636-2 ES-0529 ② -L.NIX- (MR) △18258 (2)Side A runout, variant 1
STXS-0637-2 ES-0530 -L.NIX- (MR) △ 18258-x (2)Side B runout, variant 1
STXS-0636-2 ES-0529 ② -L.NIX- (MR) △18258 (1)Side A runout, variant 2
STXS-0637-2 ES-0530 ② -L.NIX- (MR) △ 18258-X (1)Side B runout, variant 2
EQ-0529-2A 4 SONRunout A
EQ-0530-1A 4 SONRunout B
EQ-0529Label A
EQ-0530Label B
STXS-0636-4 ES-0529 M III -L.NIX- SONSide A runout
STXS-0637-3 ES-0530 M II -L.NIX- SONSide B runout
EQ-0529Side A Label
EQ-0530Side B Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Stax 2325 111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Australia | Stax 2325-111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Austria | Stax 179 096First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Enterprise ENS-5007 / Enterprise ENS 5007First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | France | Stax 2369 026First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Stax 2325 111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Stax 2325 111First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Greece | Enterprise 2325 111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Greece | Stax 2325 111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Israel | Litratone 2325 111 / Stax 2325 111First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1973 | Italy | Stax 2325 111 LFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Stax 2325 111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Nigeria | Stax 2325 111First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Portugal | Stax 2325 111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | Stax TXL 22034First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | US | Stax MPS-8530LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Stax MW 2082LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Japan | Stax MW 2082LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| ? | Lebanon | Stax 2325 111LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
37 vinyl pressings of Joy are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1973 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Enterprise ENS-5007.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ENS-5007, EQS 5007, ENS 5007, EQS-5007) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SON STXS-0636-4 ES-0529 -L.NIX- and SON STXS-0637-4 ES-0530 ⓶ M11 -L.NIX-. 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.
