Vinyl pressings
by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas · 1963
Heat Wave was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1963, the album's first year. 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.
PR4M-3907-1Side A runout, etched, var. 1
PR4M-3908-1Side B runout, etched, var. 1
PR4M-3907-1BSide A runout, etched, var. 2
PR4M-3908-1BSide B runout, etched, var. 2
PR4M-3907-1B RSide A label
PR4M-3908-1B RSide B label
PR4M-3907-1D HSide A (etched/stamped)
PR4M-3908-1D HSide B (etched/stamped)
HSide A & B (stamped)
PR4M-3907-1 ISide A runout, etched, ['I' stamped]
PR4M-3908-1 ISide B runout, etched, ['I' stamped]
H-1252 PR4M-3907Side A label
H-1253 PR4M-3908Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | US | Gordy GLP 907First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | Gordy GLP 907First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | Gordy GORDY 907First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | Gordy GORDY 907First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | Canada | Tamla Motown GO 907LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | New Zealand | Stateside MSL 6003LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | UK & Ireland | Tamla Motown TML 11005LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Gordy GS 907 / Gordy S 907LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Gordy GLPS 907LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Gordy GLPS 907LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Gordy 907LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Japan | Tamla Motown SWX-6111 / Gordy SWX-6111LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Motown M 5145LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | France | Motown 535003 / Vogue 535003LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Tamla Motown STMS 5009LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Motown M5-145V1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Motown M5-145V1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Tamla Motown STMS 5009 / Tamla Motown 0C 054-64407LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Motown M5-145V1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Spain | Motown SNL1-60204LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Tamla Motown WL72070LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Italy | Rumble Records RUM2011066LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2018 | Europe | DOL DOL966HGLP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Reissue | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Motown 230·15·021LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Gordy G 907LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Gordy GLPS 907LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Gordy GLPS 907LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
27 vinyl pressings of Heat Wave are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1963 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US. One of them is Gordy GLP 907, released September 30, 1963.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GLP 907, GORDY 907) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PR4M-3907-1 and PR4M-3908-1. 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.
