Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Winter · 1984
Guitar Slinger was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 13 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.
AL 4735 A 1 MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK ¢Runout A-side, variant 1
AL 4735B-1 FMN HUBRunout B-side, variant 1
AL.4735.A .1 MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK ¢Runout A-side, variant 2
AL.4735.B.1 FMN E HUBRunout B-side, variant 2
SNTF 914A. PAG
SNTF 914B. PAG
LA25-5012A1 1A2 〄CSSide A, runout
LA25-5012B1 1A2Side B, runout
LA25-5012A1 1A2 〄CSSide A, runout
LA25-5012B1 1A2Side B, runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Alligator Records AL 4735First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Alligator Records AL 4735First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Alligator Records AL 4735First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Sonet 540083First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Sonet SNTF 914First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Germany | Sonet SNTF 914 / Sonet INT 147.144First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Sonet INT 147.144 / Sonet SNTF 914LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Italy | Sonet SNTL 2914First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Avan-Guard AL 4735First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Portugal | Sonet 621709First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Scandinavia | Sonet SNTF 914First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | Bluesmen BS-32249 / Sonet BS-32249First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Sweden | Sonet SNTF 914First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Sweden | Sonet SNTF 914LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | UK | Sonet SNTF 914First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | South Korea | Seoul Records SGPR-102 / Alligator Records AL 4735LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Italy | Alligator Records AL 4735LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Alligator Records AL 2735LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Spain | Bluesmen 30332249 / Alligator Records 30332249LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
26 vinyl pressings of Guitar Slinger are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1984 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Alligator Records AL 4735.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 4735, SNTF 914, LA25-5012, 540083) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 4735 A 1 MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK ¢ and AL 4735B-1 FMN HUB. 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.
