Vinyl pressings
by John Entwistle · 1971
Smash Your Head Against The Wall was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 11 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.
2406005 A//2 11 3Variant 1 Side A runout, stamped
2406005 B ̷A̷/ /2 11 3Variant 1 Side B runout, stamped [Xed out A ]
2406005 A//1 1 1 1Variant 2 Side A stamped.
2406005 B//1 1 1 2Variant 2 Side B stamped. The ‘2’ is reversed.
7-12898 W2 PSide A runout etched [variant 1]
7-12899 W1 PSide B runout etched [variant 1]
7-12898 W2 2Side A runout etched [variant 2]
7-12899 W1Side B runout etched [variant 2]
7-12898 W1 1Side A runout, variant 1
7-12899 W1 4Side B runout, variant 1
7-12898 W2 1Side A runout, variant 2
7-12899 W1 1Side B runout, variant 2
7-12898 W2Runout A Side, etched
7-12899 W1Runout B Side, etched
7-12898Label A Side
7-12899Label B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Polydor 2480 033First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | Decca DL 79183First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Colombia | Track Record 2406 005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | France | Polydor 2484 017First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | Polydor 2480 033First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | Polydor 2480 033First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | Japan | Polydor MP 2187First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Polydor 2480 033First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | South Africa | Polydor 2406 005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Spain | Polydor 24 80 033First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | Track Record 2406 005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Decca DL 79183First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Decca DL 79183LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Decca DL 79183First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Australia | Polydor 2340 113LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-2024LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-2024LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Europe | Demon Records DEMREC1216LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | Earmark 42084LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Decca DL 79183LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of Smash Your Head Against The Wall are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1971 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Track Record 2406 005.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2406 005, DL 79183, 2480 033, 2484 017) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2406005 A//2 11 3 and 2406005 B ̷A̷/ /2 11 3. 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.
