Vinyl pressings
by John Cale · 1979
Sabotage/Live was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 2 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.
T/ IR SP 0004-A T2Side A runout, variant 1
T\ IR SP 0004-B T1Side B runout, variant 1
T/ IR SP 0004-A T2.. BSide A runout, variant 2
T\ IR SP 0004-B T2..Side B runout, variant 2
T I IR SP 0004-A T1..Runout, side A
T \ IR SP 0004-B T1.. C 4Runout, side B
SP-0004-ALabel, side A
SP-0004-BLabel, side B
T/ IR SP 0004-A T2Side 1, runout, scratched
T\ IR SP 0004-B T1Side 2, runout, scratched
SP-004-ASide 1 label
SP-004-BSide 2 label
SP 004-A- TLC ASide A runout, etched
SP 004-B TLC TSide B runout, etched
SP-004-ASide A label
SP-004-BSide B label
SP 004-A② CR TLC TSide A, runout, etched (exc. encircled CR)
SP-004-B-2② TLC T GG. CRSide B, runout, etched (exc. encircled CR)
SP 004-A- 2 TLC-ASide A runout, etched
SP 004-B TLC-TSide B runout, etched
SP-004-ASide A label
SP-004-BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Canada | Spy Records Ltd. SP 004 / A&M Records SP-004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Spy Records Ltd. SP 004 / I.R.S. Records SP 004First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Spy Records Ltd. SP 004 / I.R.S. Records SP 004First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Spy Records Ltd. SP 004 / I.R.S. Records SP 004First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Spy Records Ltd. SP 004 / I.R.S. Records SP 004LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | US | Spy Records Ltd. SP 004 / I.R.S. Records SP 004First yearLP, Album, Special Cut, Stereo | LP, Album, Special Cut, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Spy Records Ltd. SP 004 / I.R.S. Records SP-004First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | Spy Records Ltd. SP 004 / I.R.S. Records SP 004LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Spy Records Ltd. SP 004 / I.R.S. Records SP-004LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Spy Records Ltd. SP 004 / A&M Records SP-004LP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of Sabotage/Live are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 1979 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, Canada. One of them is Spy Records Ltd. SP 004, released December 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 004) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T/ IR SP 0004-A T2 and T\ IR SP 0004-B T1. 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.
