Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Rivers · 1977
Outside Help was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 8 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.
ST-BT-773977EE MAS Δ22881 TML-MRunout, Side A, variant 1
ST-BT-773978-EE TML-M MAS MR Δ22881-X(1) (PR)Runout, Side B, variant 1
ST-BT-773977EE MAS Δ22881(1) TML-M (PR)Runout, Side A, variant 2
ST-BT-773978-EE TML-M MAS MR Δ22881-X(1) (PR)Runout, Side B, variant 2
ST-BT-773977EEE MAS + - 1 II (PR)Runout, Side A, variant 1 Etched
ST-BT-773978-EEE +++ - 1 MAS (PR) PRCRunout, Side B, variant 1 Etched
ST-BT-773977EEE - 1-111 (PR) PRC TML-MRunout, Side A, variant 2
ST-BT-773978-EEE-1 TML-M - 11 PRC (PR)Runout, Side B, variant 2
ST-BT-773977-PRSide A label
ST-BT-773978-PRSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | MICSA SUP 947First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Australia | Interfusion L36538First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Brazil | Soul City BGLP 12217First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Polydor 2424 169 / Soul City 2424 169First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Polydor 2424 169 / Soul City 2424 169First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Polydor 2344 111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Polydor MPF 1187First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | Polydor MPF 1187First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Taiwan | Pop MH-7262LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1977 | UK | Polydor 2310 603First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Soul City BT 76004 / Big Tree Records BT 76004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Soul City BT 76004 / Big Tree Records BT 76004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Big Tree Records BT 76004 / Soul City BT 76004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | South Africa | Jo'Burg TJC 13034LP, Album | LP, Album |
14 vinyl pressings of Outside Help are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Soul City BT 76004.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BT 76004, 2310 603, SUP 947, L36538) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-BT-773977EE MAS Δ22881 TML-M and ST-BT-773978-EE TML-M MAS MR Δ22881-X(1) (PR). 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.
