Vinyl pressings
by Landscape · 1981
Einstein A Go-Go was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
RCA 22 A-1 MAJIC 0 2 1Side A runout, Variant 1
RCA 22 B-1 4 2 1Side B runout, Variant 1
RCA 22 A-1 0 3 1 MAJICSide A runout, Variant 2
RCA 22 B-1 2 6 2Side B runout, Variant 2
RCA 22 A-1Runout A, stamped
RCA 22 B-1Runout B, stamped
RCA 22 ALabel A
RCA 22 BLabel B
RCA 22 A-1Stamped Side A
RCA 22 B-1Stamped Side B
RCA 22-A-1 (Lyre symbol) G A2-U W J.H.Runout A side variant 1
RCA 22-B-1 (Lyre symbol) G A2AG W J.H.Runout B side variant 1
RCA 22-A-1 (Lyre symbol) G A3 F W J.H.Runout A side variant 2
RCA 22-B-1 (Lyre symbol) G A1 S W J.H.Runout B side variant 2
RCA 22 A-1Side A Runout Stamped
RCA 22 B-1Side B Runout Stamped
RCA 22 A-1Stamped, side A
RCA 22 B-1Stamped, side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | RCA Victor 103785First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | RCA Victor PB 5307First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | RCA Victor PB 5307 / RCA PB 5307First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | RCA RPS-39First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | RCA PB 5307First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 103785First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Portugal | RCA PB-5307First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Spain | RCA Victor PB-5307First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Spain | RCA PB-5307First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | RCA RCA 22 / RCA PB 5307First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | RCA RCA 22 / RCA PB 5307First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | RCA RCA 22 / RCA PB5307First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | RCA RCA 22 / RCA PB 5307First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | RCA RCA 22 / RCA PB 5307First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 22 / RCA Victor PB 5307First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
21 vinyl pressings of Einstein A Go-Go are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is RCA RCA 22, released February 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RCA 22, 103785, PB 5307, RPS-39) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RCA 22 A-1 MAJIC 0 2 1 and RCA 22 B-1 4 2 1. 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.
