Vinyl pressings
by Neil Larsen · 1979
High Gear 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.
10 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
SP-775-T1 T1 TML-SSide A variant 1
SP-776-B T4 T1 TML-MSide B variant 1
SP-775-T2 T1 TML M-X ASide A variant 2
SP-776-B T4 T1 TML-MSide B variant 2
l S SP-775-S2 TML-S A-3 [fish/ichthys symbol]Side A etched, except TML-S stamped
l S SP-776-S2 TML-S A4Side B etched, except TML-S stamped
SP-775Side A label
SP-776Side B label
SP-775-P1 TML - MLX C1Side A runout
SP-776-P1 TML-S ASide B runout
SP-775Side A label
SP-776Side B label
AMLJ-19-738-2A-1 SP-775-INTSide A
AMLJ-19-738-2B-1 SP-776-INTSide B
AMLJ 738-1 SP-775Label side A
AMLJ 738-2 SP-776Label 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 | A&M Records L37064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Horizon SP-738First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | A&M Records SP-738First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Europe | Horizon AMLJ 738First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Horizon HOZ-6007 / A&M Records HOZ-6007First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Horizon HOZ-6007 / A&M Records HOZ-6007First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | Horizon HOZ-6007 / A&M Records HOZ-6007First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Horizon SP-738First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Horizon SP-738First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Horizon SP-738First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Japan | A&M Records AMS-20020LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of High Gear are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1979 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, Australia, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Horizon SP-738.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-738, L37064, AMLJ 738, HOZ-6007) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP-775-T1 T1 TML-S and SP-776-B T4 T1 TML-M. 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.
