Vinyl pressings
by Leo Kottke · 1981
Guitar Music 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.
10 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 7 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.
CHR-1328-A-② SR/BBA side runout, variant 1
CHR-1328-B-② SR/BBB side runout, variant 1
CHR-1328-A-① SX SR/BB B 1SA side runout, variant 2
CHR-1328-B-② SX SR/BB -A- 2SB side runout, variant 2
CHR-1328-A-2 SXT SR/BB D 1SSide A runout, 2 in circle
CHR-1328-B-1 SR/BB B SXT 1SSide B runout, 1 in circle
CHR-1328-ASA side label
CHR-1328-BSB side label
PV-41328-AS① ᄅ 5 XS C̶H̶R̶-̶1̶3̶2̶8̶-̶A̶①̶ SR/BB E1Side A, Etched
PV-41328-BS② \5 C̶H̶R̶-̶1̶3̶2̶8̶-̶B̶②̶ SX SR/BB C6Side B, Etched
CHM 41328AEtched
CHM 41328BEtched
CHM 41328Atyped
CHM 41328Btyped
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 | Chrysalis L 37564First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Chrysalis CHM 41328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Chrysalis CHR 1328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Chrysalis 203 646-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Chrysalis CHR 1328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 203 646-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1328First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Chrysalis PV 41328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Chrysalis 203 646 / Chrysalis 203 646-270LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Chrysalis PV 41328LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Chrysalis PV 41328 / Chrysalis CHR 1328LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
13 vinyl pressings of Guitar Music are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Chrysalis CHR 1328.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHR 1328, PV 41328, L 37564, CHM 41328) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHR-1328-A-② SR/BB and CHR-1328-B-② SR/BB. 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.
