Vinyl pressings
by Japan · 1978
Sometimes I Feel So Low was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 3 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.
M Ʊ AHA 529 A2 ―Side A runout, etched, variant 1
A Ʊ AHA 529 B1 2Side B runout, etched, variant 1
M Ʊ AHA 529 A2 ―Side A runout, etched, variant 2
B Ʊ AHA 529 B1 2Side B runout, etched, variant 2
E [Utopia lyre symbol] AHA 529 A2 ―Side A runout, etched, variant 1
H [Utopia lyre symbol] AHA 529 B1 2Side B runout, etched, variant 1
M [Utopia lyre symbol] AHA 529 A2 ISide A runout, etched, variant 2
A [Utopia lyre symbol] AHA 529 B1 2Side B runout, etched, variant 2
D Ʊ AHA 529 A2 ―Side A runout, etched
B Ʊ AHA 529 B1 ―Side B runout, etched
†AHA 529-A†Side A label
†AHA 529-B†Side B label
Ʊ AHA 529 A2 ―Side A runout, etched
B Ʊ AHA 529 B1 ―Side B runout, etched
†AHA 529-A†Side A label
†AHA 529-B†Side B label
Ʊ AHA 529 A2 1 DSide A runout, etched, variant 1
Ʊ AHA 529 B1 1 BSide B runout, etched, variant 1
Ʊ AHA 529 A2 I ASide A runout, etched, variant 2
Ʊ AHA 529 B1 I DSide B runout, etched, variant 2
7727-AM-1A [Artisan Sound Recorders logo] SSSide A, runout, etched
7727-AS-1B [Artisan Sound Recorders logo] SS SSide AA, runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | UK | Ariola Hansa AHA 529First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Ariola Records America PRO 772712", Single Sided, Single, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo | 12", Single Sided, Single, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo |
| 1978 | US | Ariola Records America PRO 7727 / Hansa Records PRO 7727First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited |
| 1978 | US | Ariola Records America 77277", Single, Test Pressing, Stereo, Mono · Test pressing, Mono | 7", Single, Test Pressing, Stereo, Mono · Test pressing, Mono |
| 1978 | US | Ariola Records America PRO 772712", Single, Test Pressing, Stereo, Mono · Test pressing, Mono | 12", Single, Test Pressing, Stereo, Mono · Test pressing, Mono |
| 1978 | Japan | Ariola Hansa VIP-2678 / Ariola Hansa AHA-1004First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Ariola Hansa VIP-2678 / Ariola Hansa AHA-1004First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | UK | Ariola Hansa AHA 529First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Ariola Records America 7727 / Hansa Records 7727First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | UK | Ariola Hansa AHA 529First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | UK | Ariola Hansa AHA 529First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | UK | Ariola Hansa AHA 529First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of Sometimes I Feel So Low are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Japan. One of them is Ariola Hansa AHA 529, released October 19, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AHA 529, 7727, PRO 7727, VIP-2678) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M Ʊ AHA 529 A2 ― and A Ʊ AHA 529 B1 2. 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.
