Vinyl pressings
by John Denver · 1979
Downhill Stuff 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.
10 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 7 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.
PB-11479-A 2S Wally A4 [MASTERED BY CAPITOL]Runout, Etched [stamped], Side A, Variant 1
PB-11479-B 1s Wally AC [MASTERED BY CAPITOL]Runout, Etched [stamped], Side B, Variant 1
PB-11479-A 2S Wally [MASTERED BY CAPITOL I A4]Runout Side A, etched [stamped], Variant 2
PB-11479-B 1s Wally [MASTERED BY CAPITOL I AS̶5]Runout Side B, etched [stamped], Variant 2
PA-11479-C 1S Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLMono Label
PB-11479-A 4S Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLStereo Label
PA-11479-C 1S MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyMono Runout
PB-11479-A 4S MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyStereo Runout
PA-11479-CMono Label
PB-11479-AStereo Label
PB-11479-ALabel, Side A
PB-11479-BLabel, Side B
RCA· PB· 1479 · A PF Manufactured in GermanyRunout A, etched [stamped "M.i.G."]
RCA· PB· 1479 · B PF Manufactured in GermanyRunout B, etched [stamped "M.i.G."]
PB 1479-ALabel A
PB 1479-BLabel B
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 | RCA PB-11479First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Ecuador | RCA Victor 200901First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | RCA Victor PB 1479 / RCA PB 1479First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Mexico | RCA Victor SP-5187First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | RCA Victor PB-1479 / RCA PB-1479First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Spain | RCA PB 1479First year7", Promo, Single, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Promo, Single, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1979 | Spain | RCA PB-1479First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | US | RCA JH-11479 / RCA (PB-11479)First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | US | RCA PB-11479First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | RCA JH-11479 / RCA (PB-11479)First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
10 vinyl pressings of Downhill Stuff are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, Canada, Ecuador, Germany and more. One of them is RCA PB-11479.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PB-11479, JH-11479, 200901, PB 1479) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PB-11479-A 2S Wally A4 [MASTERED BY CAPITOL] and PB-11479-B 1s Wally AC [MASTERED BY CAPITOL]. 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.
