Vinyl pressings
by Outlaws · 1980
Ghost Riders was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 11 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.
STERLINGSide A & B Etched except STERLING [Stamped]
AL-9542-SA-KMI A-1 ◁ STERLINGSide A, variant 1
AL-9542-SB-KMI A-2 ◁ STERLINGSide B, variant 1
AL-9542-SA-KMI STERLING A-1 ◁Side A, variant 2
AL-9542-SA-CT2 STERLING T1A Side Etch exc Sterling stamp var. 1
AL-9542-SB-CT2 STERLING T1B Side Etch exc Sterling stamp var. 1
AL-9542-SA-TVI STERLING HUBSide A etched, stamped Sterling
AL-9542-SB-TVI STERLING HUBSide B etched, stamped Sterling
AL-9542-SA-M2 △24935 MR ③Runout A, Etched
AL-9542-SB-M3 △24935X ⑤Runout B, Etched
(MR)Runout B - Monarch logo, double-stamped
STERLINGRunout, Both Sides, Stamped
P STERLINGStamped Both Sides
AL-9542-SA-CP1Side A Runout Etched, variant 1
AL-9542-SB-CP1Side B Runout Etched, variant 1
AL-9542-SA-CP3 FABSide A Runout Etched, variant 2
AL-9542-SA-CS1 STERLING S2 A 3Runout side A, variant 1
AL-9542-SB-CS1 STERLING 1 S C3Runout side B, variant 1
AL-9542-SA-CS1 A2 STERLING S2Runout side A, variant 2
AL-9542-SB-CS1 A2 STERLING 1SRunout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Arista L37506 / Arista AL9542First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Benelux | Arista 203 108 / Arista 203.108First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | Arista 203.108First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista AL 9542First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista AL 9542First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista AL-509542 / Arista AL 9542LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1980 | France | Arista 203 108 / Arista 203 108-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Arista 203 108First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Arista 203 108First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Arista ARS 39085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Arista 25RS-113First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Arista 25RS-113First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Arista I-203109First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Arista SPART 1160First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Arista AL 9542First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Arista 203 108-320LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Scandinavia | Arista 203 108LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of Ghost Riders are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Benelux and more. One of them is Arista AL 9542.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 9542, SPART 1160, L37506, 203 108) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STERLING and AL-9542-SA-KMI A-1 ◁ STERLING. 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.
