Vinyl pressings
by Jethro Tull · 1976
Ring Out, Solstice Bells was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. 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 1976, the album's first year, in 6 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.
CXP 2 A - 3U (A - SIDE) AII TRunout side A, variant 1
CXP 2 - B - 4E 'W' A1ARunout side B, variant 1
CXP ̶C̶P̶X̶ - 2 - A - 4E 'W' A1 JRunout side A, variant 2
CXP 2 B - 2U R 1 (B - SIDE) A/TRunout side B, variant 2
CXP 2 A-3U 1 GMRunout side A, stamped
CXP 2 B-3U 1 RGRunout side B, stamped
CXP 2-ALabel side A
CXP 2-BLabel side B
CXP 2 A-3URunout side A, stamped, variant 1
CXP 2 B-2URunout side B, stamped, variant 1
CXP 2 A-3U R 1Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
CXP 2 B-3U RRunout side B, stamped, variant 2
CXP 2 A-3URunout side A, stamped
CXP 2 B-3URunout side B, stamped
CXP 2-ALabel side A
CXP 2-BLabel side B
p CHS-3-PDJ-A 2 >A-Side Runout Etching
p CHS-3-PDJ-B 1 >B-Side Runout Etching
CHS-3-PDJ-AA-Side Label
CHS-3-PDJ-BB-Side Label
1 SMX 50123 ᛫2ASide A runout, hand-etched
SMX 50124 ᛫2ASide B runout, hand-etched
MX50123Side A label
MX50124Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Germany | Chrysalis 6285 004First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1976 | Ireland | Chrysalis CXP 2First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1976 | Italy | Chrysalis CHN 2128First year7", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | US | Chrysalis CHS 3 PDJ / Chrysalis CHS-3-PDJFirst year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | UK | Chrysalis CXP2First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | UK | Chrysalis CXP27", 45 RPM, Single Sided, EP, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, EP, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1976 | UK | Chrysalis CXP2First year7", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | UK | Chrysalis CXP2First year7", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | UK | Chrysalis CXP2First year7", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Australia | Chrysalis X-11808 / Chrysalis X 11808First year7", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | UK, Europe & US | Chrysalis CX 40 / Chrysalis 01902959479727", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Record Store Day, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Record Store Day, Limited Edition · Limited |
11 vinyl pressings of Ring Out, Solstice Bells are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1976 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Australia, Germany and more. One of them is Chrysalis CXP2, released December 3, 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CXP2, CHS 3 PDJ, X-11808, 6285 004) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CXP 2 A - 3U (A - SIDE) AII T and CXP 2 - B - 4E 'W' A1A. 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.
