Vinyl pressings
by Joe Walsh · 1983
Space Age Whiz Kids was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 4 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.
7 29611 BCA 2376 S JW1 #1 STERLING ORun-out A, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
7 29611 BCA 2377 S JW1 #2 STERLING ORun-out B, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
ORun-outs, etched
7 29611 BCA 2376 S SR1 1 1 SRCSide A Etched
7 29611 BCA 2377-S-SR1 SRC 1-7Side B Etched
STERLINGSide A Stamped
STERLINGSide B Stamped
7 29611 BCA 2376 S WWISide A, Etched
7 29611 BCA 2377 S WWISide B, Etched
STERLINGStamped. both sides
STERLING ∆4277 1-1 7 29611 BCA 2376 S SH2 R-11197-SH2 SLMA runout
7 29611 BCA 2377 S SH2 Ꝗ R-11198-SH 2 SLM ∆4277-X 1-1 STERLINGB runout
BCA 2976SA label
BCA 2377SB label
PRO A1 2038 SH1 ○ B-18094-SH1 SLM △4394 1-1 STERLINGRunout side A, etched exc STERLING stamped
PRO A2 2038 SH1 ○ B-18095-SH1 SLM △4394-X 1-1 STERLINGRunout side B, etched exc STERLING stamped
7-29611 BCA 2376 MDJ SR1 1-1 STERLING SRCSide A runout
7-29611 BCA 2376 S SR1 1-1 STERLING SRCSide B runout
BCA 2376DJMSide A label
BCA 2376SSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 7-29611First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Full Moon 92 96117First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Full Moon PRO-A-2038 / Warner Bros. Records PRO-A-2038First year12", Promo, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Warner Bros. Records 29611-7 / Warner Bros. Records 7-29611First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1983 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-29611 / Warner Bros. Records 9 29611-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | US | Full Moon 9 29611-7 / Warner Bros. Records 9 29611-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-29611 / Full Moon 9 29611-7First year7", Single, Styrene | 7", Single, Styrene |
| 1983 | US | Warner Bros. Records 29611-7 / Warner Bros. Records 7-29611First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1983 | US | Full Moon 7-29611 / Full Moon 9 29611-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-1797First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-1797First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of Space Age Whiz Kids are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Japan, Australia, Canada. One of them is Full Moon 7-29611, released May 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-29611, 9 29611-7, PRO-A-2038, 29611-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7 29611 BCA 2376 S JW1 #1 STERLING O and 7 29611 BCA 2377 S JW1 #2 STERLING O. 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.
