Vinyl pressings
by Joe Cocker · 1976
Stingray 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.
24 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 17 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.
TI A&M SP4883-T3 E5Runout, Side A, variant 1
TI A&M SP4884-T3 B12Runout, Side B, variant 1
T1 A&M SP4883-T3 DRunout, Side A, variant 2
T1 A&M SP4884-T2 CRunout, Side B, variant 2
P A+M SP4883-P1 IASide A runout, variant 1
A+M SP4884-P2 IASide B runout, variant 1
A+M SP4883-P2Side A runout, variant 2
A+M SP4884-P2Side B runout, variant 2
AM SP4883-M4 -REPL MR ^20661(1)Runout, Side A
AM SP4883-M4 -REPL MR ^20661-X(1)Runout, Side B
SP-4883Label, Side A
SP-4884Label, Side B
(SIDE A): T1 AM SP 4883-T1
(SIDE B): T1 AM SP 4884-T2
AMLH64574 - A1A Side
AMLH64574 - B1B Side
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 | Unknown | A&M Records SP-4574/Stereo (SP-4884)First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1976 | Australia | A&M Records L 35811First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Benelux | A&M Records 27 145 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Brazil | A&M Records SA&MX-2179First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4574First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4574First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4574First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | A&M Records 985 033First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | A&M Records 27 145 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Greece | A&M Records AMLH 64574First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Israel | A&M Records SP-4574First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | A&M Records SLAM 64574First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | A&M Records GP-2010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | A&M Records GP-2010First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | New Zealand | A&M Records L 35811First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | A&M Records SP-4574LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB LP-55-5607 / A&M Records 4574LP, Album | LP, Album |
30 vinyl pressings of Stingray are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1976 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Benelux and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-4574.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4574, SP-4574/Stereo (SP-4884), AMLH 64574, L 35811) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TI A&M SP4883-T3 E5 and TI A&M SP4884-T3 B12. 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.
