Vinyl pressings
by London Symphony Orchestra · 1972
Tommy was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. 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 1972, 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.
ODE SP 99001 A2 STERLING LH 2TA-side, variant 1
ODE99001 B1 STERLING LH 2TB-side, variant 1
ODE 99001 C1 STERLING LH 2TC-side, variant 1
ODE99001 D1 STERLING LH 2TD-side, variant 1
ODE SP 99001 A2 STERLING LH 2TRunout side A
ODE SP 99001 B2 STERLING LH 2TRunout side B
ODE SP 99001 C2 STERLING LH 2TRunout side C
ODE SP 99001 D2 STERLING LH 2TRunout side D
SP 99001 A P2 LH 2T STERLINGSide A Variant 1
SP 99001 B P2 LH 2T STERLINGSide B Variant 1
SP 99001 C P2 LH 2T STERLINGSide C Variant 1
SP 99001 D P1 LH 2T STERLINGSide D Variant 1
SP 99001 A ex. MR M8 △ 17483 (8-3) LH 2TSide 1 Runout - Etched
SP 99001 B ex. MR M8 △ 17483-X (8-1) LH 2TSide 2 Runout - Etched
SP 99001 C ex. M8 MR △ 17484 (8-2) LH 2TSide 3 Runout - Etched
SP 99001 D ex. M8 MR △ 17484-X (8-1) LH 2TSide 4 Runout - Etched
STERLINGSide 1 - 4 Stamped
S SP 99001 A S2 LH 3 A2A Side Etch
S SP 99001 B S1 LH 3 A3B Side Etch
S1 SP 99001 C S2 LH 3 A 5C Side Etch
SP ETCHED OUT) ODE A1 STERLING LH 2T O
SP ETCHED OUT) ODE D1 STERLING LH 2T N
SP ETCHED OUT) ODE B1 STERLING LH T2 G
SP ETCHED OUT) ODE C1 STERLING LH T2 Z
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Colombia | Ode Records SP 99001First yearLP | LP |
| 1972 | Germany | Ode Records SP 99001 / Ode Records 86 465 XTFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Ode Records 86 467 XET / Ode Records SP 99001First yearLP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| 1972 | Germany | Ode Records 86467 XET / Ode Records SP 99001First yearLP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| 1972 | Germany | Ode Records 86 467 XET / Ode Records ODE 99001First yearLP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| 1972 | Italy | Ode Records SP 99001First yearLP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Ode Records 86 465 XT / Ode Records 86 466 XTFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Ode Records 86 456 XT / Ode Records 86 466 XTFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Ode Records ODL 99001/2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Ode Records ODE 99001First yearLP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| 1972 | UK | Ode Records SP 99001 / Ode Records ODE SP 99001First yearLP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| 1972 | US | Ode Records QU 89001First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1972 | US | Ode Records SP 99001First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo, Box Set · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo, Box Set · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Ode Records SP 99001First yearLP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| 1972 | US | Ode Records SP 99001First yearLP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Essential! Records ESDLP 029 / Essential! Records ESSLP 029LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Ode Records ODE-00005-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | USA & Europe | Ode Sounds & Visuals ODE-00005-1 / Ode Records ODE-00005-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
35 vinyl pressings of Tommy are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1972 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, US, Colombia, Germany and more. One of them is Ode Records ODE 99001.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ODE 99001, SP 99001, SP-99001, QU 89001) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ODE SP 99001 A2 STERLING LH 2T and ODE99001 B1 STERLING LH 2T. 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.
