Vinyl pressings
by Mike Oldfield · 1979
Guilty was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 13 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.
VS-245-A-1 toneRunout side A, variant 1
VS-245-B-1 ④Runout side B, variant 1
VS-245-A-1 tone ARunout side A, variant 2
VS-245-B-1 ④Runout side B, variant 2
VS.245.12.A-1 ARunout side A, variant 1
VS.24512.B-1 ToneRunout side B, variant 1
VS.245.12.A-1 2 6 ARunout side A, variant 2
VS.24512.B-1 1 3 A ToneRunout side B, variant 2
VS. 245. A-1 tone 4 ⠕Side A etched, stamped variant 1
VS. 245. B1 4 ④Side B etched variant 1
VS. 245. A-1 tone 4 22 ΛSide A etched, stamped variant 2
VS. 245. B1 4 ④ 15 CSide B etched, stamped variant 2
600060 A-1/79S Made in GermanyRunout Side A [machine-stamped]
600060 B-1/79S Made in GermanyRunout Side B [machine-stamped]
S 600 060 ALabel Side A
S 600 060 BLabel Side B
100439 A-1/79S Made in GermanyRunout side A, stamped
100439 B-1/79S Made in GermanyRunout side B, stamped
S 100 439 ALabel side A
S 100 439 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Virgin X-13,025 / Virgin VS-24512First year12", Single, Limited Edition, 45 RPM · Limited | 12", Single, Limited Edition, 45 RPM · Limited |
| 1979 | Australia | Virgin X 13025 / Virgin X-13,025First year12", Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1979 | Australia | Virgin K-7381 / Virgin VS-245First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | France | Virgin 2097 983First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Germany | Virgin 100 439 / Virgin 100 439-100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Greece | Virgin 2141 110First year12" | 12" |
| 1979 | Greece | Virgin 2141 11012", Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Hong Kong | Virgin VS 245First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Israel | Virgin VS 24512First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Italy | Virgin VIN 45022First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Japan | Virgin VIP-2749First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Japan | Virgin VIP-2749First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Virgin 100.439First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Virgin 101.009First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 245First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label12", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label · Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label · Colored vinyl |
25 vinyl pressings of Guilty are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Germany, Australia, France and more. One of them is Virgin VS245, released April 6, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS245, VS 24512, VS24512, 600 060) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS-245-A-1 tone and VS-245-B-1 ④. 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.
