Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Winter · 1985
Serious Business was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. 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 1985, the album's first year, in 9 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 4742ARE 1 HUB STERLINGA side runout, variant 1
AL 4742BRE 1 HUB STERLINGB side runout, variant 1
AL 4742ARE 1 HUB Re STERLINGA side runout, variant 2
AL 4742BRE 1 HUB Re STERLINGB side runout, variant 2
28MM 0475A 111⁘⁘L G V 〄ⒷSide A runout
28MM 0475B 111⁘Side B runout
28MM 0475ASide A label
28MM 0475BSide B label
SVL 506AStamped
SVL 506BStamped
AL4742 A (CR)Side A runout
AL 4742 B (CR)Side B runout
85 9 540126 ARunout stamped A side
85 9 540126 BRunout stamped B side
DM B-3248 A-1/85 S I IIA-side, stamped
DM B-3248 B-1/85 S IB-side, stamped
B-3248 AA-side, center label
B-3248 BB-side, center 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Avan-Guard SVL 506First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Alligator Records AL 4742First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | France | Sonet 540126First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | Sonet INT 147.150 / Sonet SNTF 948First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | Sonet SNTL2948First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Italy | Sonet SNTL2948LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0475First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Portugal | Alligator Records 638909First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Scandinavia | Sonet SNTF 948 / Alligator Records SNTF 948First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Alligator Records AL 4742First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0475First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | Virgin VG 50171 / Sonet VG 50171LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Poland | Tonpress SX-T 85LP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of Serious Business are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Japan, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Alligator Records AL 4742.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 4742, 28MM 0475, SVL 506, 540126) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 4742ARE 1 HUB STERLING and AL 4742BRE 1 HUB STERLING. 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.
