Vinyl pressings
by John Handy · 1976
Hard Work 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.
9 pressings came out in 1976, 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.
\ ϟ ASD-9314-A ➀Variant 1: A etched
\ ϟ ASD-9314-B ➉ <Variant 1: B etched
\ ϟ ASD-9314-A ⓶Variant 2: A etched
\ ϟ ASD-9314-B ⓽Variant 2: B etched
ASD 9314-A ① KENDUN-A C TIRunout side A, variant 1
ASD-9314-B- ⑤ 6 A TIRunout side B, variant 1
ASD 9314-A ① KENDUN-A B7 TIRunout side A, variant 2
ASD-9314-B ① KENDUN A D11 TIRunout side B, variant 2
ASD - 9314-A - ⑦ KRunout Side A, variant 1
ASD - 9314-B - ⑦ KRunout Side B, variant 1
ASD - 9314-A - ⑦ KRunout Side A, variant 2
ASD - 9314-B - ⑧ KRunout Side B, variant 2
T1 ASD-9314 A ② KENDUN B CRunout Etchings Side A
ASD - 9314 - B ③Runout Etchings Side B
ASD-9314-A ➂Runout side A
ASD-9314-B ➂Runout side B
(ASD-9314-A)Side A Label
(ASD-9314-B)Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | ABC Impulse! 9027 9314First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | South Africa | ABC Impulse! ABCL 0178 / ABC Impulse! ABCL.0178First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | Impulse! IMPL 8038First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | ABC Impulse! ASD-9314First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | ABC Impulse! ASD-9314First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | ABC Impulse! ASD-9314First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | ABC Impulse! ASD-9314First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | ABC Impulse! ASD-9314First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | ABC Impulse! ASD-9314First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | ABC Impulse! YQ-8513-AILP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of Hard Work are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1976 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Canada, South Africa. One of them is ABC Impulse! ASD-9314, released May 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ASD-9314, IMPL 8038, 9027 9314, ABCL 0178) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, \ ϟ ASD-9314-A ➀ and \ ϟ ASD-9314-B ➉ <. 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.
