Vinyl pressings
by Midnight Star · 1983
Wet My Whistle 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.
9 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 5 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.
1-2 ST-ES-7-69790-A1 [flower] SRC MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.A-Side Runout Etching
1-1 ST-ES-7-69790-B1 [flower] SRC MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.B-Side Runout Etching
ST-ES-7-69790-A-SPA-Side Label
ST-ES-7-69790-B-SPB-Side Label
ST-ED-4933-SPA & B side label
ST-ES-7-69790-A-SPLabel Matrix - Both Sides
ST-ES-7-69790-A3 ❀ [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] R-11947-A3 SLM MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. △5338 1-1Runout side A
ST-ES-7-69790-A3 ❀ [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] R-11947-A3 SLM MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. △5338 1-1Runout side B
ST-ES-7-69790-A-ARLabel matrix - both sides
E 9798T A-1U-1-1Side A Runout groove, stamped
E 9798T B-1U-1-1Side B Runout groove, stamped
E 9798 (T) A*Side A Label
E 9798 (T) B*Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | Solar 96 97907First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Solar 96 97907First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Solar 769790First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Solar 769790First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Solar E 9798 (T) / Solar 966988-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | US | Solar ED 4933First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Solar 7-69790First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Solar 7-69790First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Solar 7-69790First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 112712", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | MCA Records MCA 1127 / Solar MCA 11277", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | MCA Records WMCAT 1127 dl12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
12 vinyl pressings of Wet My Whistle are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1983 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Canada, Netherlands and more. One of them is Solar 7-69790.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-69790, ED 4933, E 9798 (T), 96 97907) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1-2 ST-ES-7-69790-A1 [flower] SRC MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. and 1-1 ST-ES-7-69790-B1 [flower] SRC MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.. 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.
