Vinyl pressings
by Pat Metheny · 1986
Song X was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. 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 1986, the album's first year, in 10 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-2-4096-A-WA3 WAKEFIELD CO. MO#2 [W over M] 44840 MASTERDISK BKA side runout, variant 1
GHS-2-4096-B-WA3 MO#3 [W over M] 44840 MASTERDISK BKB side runout, variant 1
GHS-2-4096-A-WA3 WAKEFIELD CO. MASTERDISK BK MO#2 [W Over M] 44840 BKA side runout, variant 2
GHS-2-4096-B-WA3 MO#3 MASTERDISK BK [W Over M] 44840B side runout, variant 2
GHS-2 4096-A INT2 Ω Δ 12250 MASTERDISK-BK 1-3 CANSide A, Runout
GHS 24096 B INT3 MASTERDISK-BK Ω Δ 12250-X 1-3 CANSide B, Runout
R/S Alsdorf 924096-1 ARunout A side - Machine stamped
R/S Alsdorf 924096-1 BRunout B side - Machine stamped
GHS [Unreadable scratch] 24096•A•INT3 O△ 12250 MASTERDISK BK 41 1-/Runout A side, variant 1 - Etched - "Masterdisk" Stamped
GHS [Unreadable scratch] 24096•B•INT3 MASTERDISK BK O△ 12250-X 42 1-/Runout B side, variant 1 - Etched - "Masterdisk" Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Argentina | Geffen Records 88015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Australia | Geffen Records 24096-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | Brazil | Geffen Records 610.7072First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 24096First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Geffen Records 924 096-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Geffen Records 924 096-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Geffen Records 924 096-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Italy | Geffen Records 92 4096-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | Geffen Records P-13280First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | Geffen Records 924096-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | Geffen Records P-13280First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Mexico | Geffen Records LXWB-6828First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Spain | Geffen Records 924096-1 / Metheny Group Productions 924096-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24096LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24096 / Metheny Group Productions GHS 24096First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
16 vinyl pressings of Song X are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, South Korea, Argentina, Brazil and more. One of them is Geffen Records GHS 24096, released April 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GHS 24096, OLW-431, 88015, 610.7072) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GHS-2-4096-A-WA3 WAKEFIELD CO. MO#2 [W over M] 44840 MASTERDISK BK and GHS-2-4096-B-WA3 MO#3 [W over M] 44840 MASTERDISK BK. 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.
