Vinyl pressings
by Outlaws · 1978
Playin' To Win was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
AB 4205 SAA Side Label
AB 4205 SBB Side Label
AB-4205-SA STERLING HUBA Side Etch, exc Sterling stamp
AB-4205-SB STERLING HUBB Side Etch, exc Sterling stamp
T1 AB-4205-SA-1 CTH STERLINGRunout side A
1T AB-4205-SB-3 CTH STERLINGRunout side B
AB 4205 SALabel side A
AB 4205 SBLabel side B
AB-4205-SA 77Side A Runout, Etched
AB-4205-SB M-1 77Side B Runout, Etched
STERLINGSides A & B Runout, Stamped
AB 4205 SASide A Label
1S AB-4205-SA-1A STERLINGRunout side A, etched exc. sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ - variant 1
1S AB-4205-SB-1A STERLINGRunout side B, etched exc. sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ - variant 1
1S AB-4205-SA-1A STERLING E 2Runout side A, etched exc. sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ - variant 2
1S AB-4205-SB-1A STERLING B xRunout side B, etched exc. sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ - variant 2
AB-4205-SA STERLINGSide A, variant 1
AB-4205-SB STERLINGSide B, variant 1
AB-4205-SA STERLING P 3Side A, variant 2
AB-4205-SB STERLING BSide B, variant 2
ARTY 156 A // E T 0 1 1 NICE ONE - BILBOSide A runout, variant 1
ARTY 156 B // E T 0 1 1 BILBOSide B runout, variant 1
ARTY 156 A // E T 0 1 1 2 NICE ONE - BILBOSide A runout, variant 2
ARTY 156 B // E T 0 1 1 4 BILBOSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Arista AL4205First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Arista AB 4205First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Arista 2C 070-61.859First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Arista 1C 064-61 859First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Arista 1C064 61859LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Japan | Arista IES-81163First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Arista IES-81163First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Arista 5C 062-61859First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | AristaLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Arista AB4205First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1978 | Rhodesia | Arista ASTJ(D) 51 / MOD ASTJ(D) 51First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | South Africa | Arista ASTJ (D) 51First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Arista ARTY 156First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4205First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4205First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Arista AB 4205LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Arista AB 4205LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Arista AL 4205LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
24 vinyl pressings of Playin' To Win are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Arista AB 4205, released October 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AB 4205, ARTY 156, AL4205, 2C 070-61.859) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AB 4205 SA and AB 4205 SB. 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.
