Vinyl pressings
by Justin Hayward · 1975
Blue Guitar was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 14 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.
ZXDR-58124-1 MELYS AT I.B.C.A side runout stamped/etched variant 1
ZXDR-58125-1-B-1 MELYSB side runout stamped/etched variant 1
ZXDR-58124-1 MELYS AT I.B.C. A 1A side runout stamped/etched variant 2
ZXDR-58125-1 MELYS. CC 3CB side runout stamped/etched variant 2
ZXDR-58124 STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching
p ZXDR-58125AB-Side Runout Etching
ZXDR 58124A-Side Label
ZXDR 58125B-Side Label
ZXDR-58124 △98255Side A Etching
ZXDR-58125 △98255-XSide B Etching
STERLING [MR in circle]Both Sides Stamped
ZXDR 58124Side A Label
ZXDR-58124-1 STERLING T1 T1A side runout
ZXDR-58125-2 STERLING T1B side runout
(ZXDR 58124)A side label
(ZXDR 58124)B side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Belgium | Threshold 26 477First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1975 | Canada | Threshold TH. 67021First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | France | Threshold 86 511First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | Threshold 6.11783First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Ireland | Threshold TH 21First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Threshold 6101 606First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Threshold TH 21First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Portugal | Threshold TH 21 / Threshold TH-21First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Spain | Threshold MO 1527First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | UK | Threshold TH 21First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Threshold 5N-67021-DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Threshold 5N-67021 / Threshold TH-67021First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | US | Threshold 5N-67021-DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1975 | US | Threshold 5N-67021First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | US | Threshold 5N-67021First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | UK | Old Gold OG 99017", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Threshold TH 217", 45 RPM, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Repress |
25 vinyl pressings of Blue Guitar are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1975 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, US, Japan, South Africa and more. One of them is Threshold TH 21, released September 26, 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TH 21, 5N-67021, 5N-67021-DJ, TOP-1989) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZXDR-58124-1 MELYS AT I.B.C. and ZXDR-58125-1-B-1 MELYS. 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.
