Vinyl pressings
by Krokus · 1983
Headhunter was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
29 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 18 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.
LP - 205255 A R.SO. SWISS MADE [crossbow logo]Runout side A, stamped
LP - 205255 B R.SO. SWISS MADE [crossbow logo]Runout side B, stamped
S 205 255 ALabel side A
S 205 255 BLabel side B
B-3 (-) AL-9623-SA HRM2 STERLINGSide A runout etched, variant 1
A-3 (-) AL-9623-SB STERLINGSide B runout etched, variant 1
B-1 (-) AL-9623-SA HRM2 STERLINGSide A runout etched, variant 2
A-1 (-) AL-9623-SB STERLINGSide B runout etched, variant 2
AL-8-8005-SA-2 STERLING I Λ1GSide A runout, variant 1
AL-8-8005-SB-2 STERLING I Λ1QSide B runout, variant 1
AL-8-8005-SA-2 STERLING I Λ1Side A runout, variant 2
AL-8-8005-SA-2 STERLING I Λ1DDSide B runout, variant 2
AL-8-8005-SA-2 STERLING 1 Ʌ 2 MSide 1 Etched (STERLING 1 Ʌ 2 stamped
AL-8-8005-SB-2 1 STERLING Ʌ 1 NMSide 2 Etched (1 STERLING Ʌ 1 stamped
AL-9623-SA EMW STERLINGEtched Side A (STERLING stamped)
AL-9623-SB EMW STERLINGEtched Side B (STERLING stamped)
AL 9623 SAA Side Label
AL 9623 SBB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Arista L 38009 / Arista L-38009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Brazil | Arista 812299-1 6First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista AL 9623First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista AL-8-8005LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista AL-8-8005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Arista 205 255First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Arista 205 255First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Arista 205 255First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | Arista 812299 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | Arista 812299 1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1983 | Ireland | Arista 205 255First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Arista ARS 39163First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Arista 25RS-194First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Arista 25RS-194First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Mexico | Arista LAE-533First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | UK | Back On Black BOBV315LPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2012 | UK | Back On Black BOBV315LPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, White Label · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, White Label · Limited |
| 2019 | Switzerland | Sony Music Entertainment Switzerland GmbH 19075942231-4LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP3304LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Arista 205 255LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Arista 205 255LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | Arista 205 255LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
47 vinyl pressings of Headhunter are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1983 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in Switzerland, US, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Ariola 205 255.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 205 255, AL 9623, AL8-8005, AL8 -8005) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LP - 205255 A R.SO. SWISS MADE [crossbow logo] and LP - 205255 B R.SO. SWISS MADE [crossbow logo]. 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.
