Vinyl pressings
by Neil Young · 1982
Trans was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 15 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.
GHS-1-2018-RE 2-SH2 dg bg △3294 SLM 40946 A SM#6 #6 1.4Side A runout Variant 1
GHS-2-2018-RE 2-SH3 dg EE △3294-X SLM 1-1 Submo #1 40946B SM#1 #4 Submaster #1Side B runout Variant 1
(Etched) GHS-1-2018-RE 2-SH2 dg bg △3294 SLM 40946 A2 SM#4 1-3Side A runout Variant 2
(Etched) GHS-2-2018-RE 2-SH-1 dg bg #1 △3294-X SLM 1-1 40946B SM#1Side A runout Variant 2
GHS-1-2018-RE2-SH2 △3294 SLM 1-1 0-1 sm1-3Side A runout, variant 1
GHS-2-2018-RE2-SH-1 △3294-X SLM 1-2 0-1 sm1-1Side B runout, variant 1
GHS-1-2018-RE2-SH2 dg △3294 SLM 1-1 0-1 SM0-1Side A runout, variant 2
GHS-2-2018-RE-2-SH3 SP dg 0-1 EE SLM △3294X 1-1Side B runout, variant 2
GHS-1-2018-RE2-SH1A Side Matrix
GHS-2-2018-RE2-SH1B Side Matrix
GHS-1-2018-RE2-SH2 dg bg △3294 SLM 1-1 0-1 SM 1-3[Variant 1] Side A runout etched, "1-1" crossed out
GHS-2-2018-RE2-SH-1 dg bg △3294-X SLM 1-2 0 - 1 SM1 -1[Variant 1] Side B runout etched, "1-2" crossed out
GHS-1-2018-RE2-SH2 dg bg △3294 SLM 1-2[Variant 2] Side A - etched
GHS-2-2018-RE-2-SH3 SP dg 0-1 EE SLM △3294-X 1-1[Variant 2] Side B - etched
GHS-1-2018-RE2-SH2 dg bg △3294 SLM d-2Side A - etched Variant 1
GHS-2-2018-RE2-SH3 SP dg 0-1 EE SLM △3294-X 1-1Side B - etched Variant 1
GHS-1-2018-RE2-SH2 gb bg △3294 SLM I-I (scratched out) 0-1 (faint)Side A - etched Variant 2
GHS-2-2018-RE2-SH1 dg bg SLM △3294-X 1-2 (scratched out) 0-1 (faint)Side B - etched Variant 2
GEF 25019 A1 GHS-1-2018-INTL SET 6-RE2 . : dg EE SLM △ 3329 CBS-ENG 1-2Side A runout, variant 1
GEF 25019 B2 GHS-2-2018-INTL SET 1-RE2 dg CBS-ENGL: EE SLM △ 3329 XSide B runout, variant 1
GEF 25019 A1 GHS-1-2018-INTL SET 6-RE2 . : dg EE SLM △ 3329 CBS-ENG 1-2Side A runout, variant 2
GEF 25019 B1 GHS-2-2018-INTL SET 6-RE2 dg CBS-ENG EE SLM △ 3329 XSide B runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Argentina | Geffen Records 20.338First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Argentina | Discos CBS 20.338First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Australia | Geffen Records GHS 2018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 2018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Geffen Records GEF 25019 / Geffen Records 25019First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Greece | Geffen Records GEF 25019First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony 25AP 2408First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Ireland | Geffen Records GEF 25019First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | Geffen Records 25AP 2408 / Geffen Records 25AP 2408 (GF)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Japan | Geffen Records 25AP 2408 / Geffen Records 25AP 2408 (GF)First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Geffen RecordsLP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Geffen Records GHS 2018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Portugal | Geffen Records GEF 25019First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | South Africa | Geffen Records DNW 2833First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | South Korea | CBS/Sony 25AP 2408 (GF)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Germany | Geffen Records 902 018-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | CBS 20338LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| ? | Europe | Geffen Records 902 018-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Geffen Records GEF 25019LP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
33 vinyl pressings of Trans are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1982 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Geffen Records GHS 2018, released December 29, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GHS 2018, GEF 25019, 20.338, XGHS 2018) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GHS-1-2018-RE 2-SH2 dg bg △3294 SLM 40946 A SM#6 #6 1.4 and GHS-2-2018-RE 2-SH3 dg EE △3294-X SLM 1-1 Submo #1 40946B SM#1 #4 Submaster #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.
