Vinyl pressings
by Neil Young · 1981
Southern Pacific was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 8 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.
RPSP-49895-YCA-9826-M-SH1 dg + SLM + △1071Side A Runout, etched
RPSP-49895-YCA-9750-S-SH1 dg + SLM + △1071-X FSide B Runout, etched
YCA 9826 MSide A Label
YCA 9750 SSide B Label
RPSP-49895-YCA-9826-M-SH1 dg + SLM+ △1071Runout side A
RPSP-49895-YCA-9750-S-SH1 dg + SLM+ △1071-X FRunout side B
YCA 9826 MLabel side A
YCA 9750 SLabel side B
RPSP-49895-YCA-9826-M-SH1 DG + SLM + △1071Side A runout
RPSP-49895-YCA-9750-S-SH1 DG + SLM + △1071-X FSide B runout
△1030 RPS49870 YCA-9826-MDJ-SH1 dg + SLM+Runout side A mono, etched (SLM+ stamp)
△1030-X RPS49870 YCA-9826-SDJ-SH2 dg + SLM+Runout side B stereo, etched (SLM+ stamp)
YCA 9826MLabel side A
YCA 9826S DJLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Reprise Records RPS 49870First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Benelux | Reprise Records REP 14.514First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | Canada | Reprise Records RPS49870First year7", Single, Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono | 7", Single, Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono |
| 1981 | France | Reprise Records Pro 547First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | France | Reprise Records PRO 208First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Germany | Reprise Records REP 14 514 NFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Reprise Records RPS 49870First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Portugal | Reprise Records REP 14514First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Reprise Records RPS49870First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1981 | US | Reprise Records RPS49870First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1981 | US | Reprise Records RPSP 49895First year7", Shape, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl | 7", Shape, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | US | Reprise Records RPSP 49895First year7", Shape, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", Shape, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1981 | US | Reprise Records RPSP 49895First year7", Shape, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", Shape, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1981 | US | Reprise Records RPSP 49895First year7", Shape, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", Shape, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1982 | Spain | Reprise Records 45-2205 / Hispavox 45-2205 (SN)7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
15 vinyl pressings of Southern Pacific are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Australia, Benelux, Germany and more. One of them is Reprise Records RPSP 49895, released December 14, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RPSP 49895, RPS49870, RPS 49870, REP 14.514) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RPSP-49895-YCA-9826-M-SH1 dg + SLM + △1071 and RPSP-49895-YCA-9750-S-SH1 dg + SLM + △1071-X F. 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.
