Vinyl pressings
by Paul Kossoff · 1977
Koss was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 3 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.
2-SEL-B-7118-A2 Λ 0Side A runout variant 1
2-SEL-B-7118-B2 Λ 4Side B runout variant 1
2-SEL-B-7118-C2 Λ CSide C runout variant 1
2-SEL-B-7118-D2 Λ CSide D runout variant 1
2238-300 AVariant 1
2238-300 BVariant 1
2238-300 CVariant 1
2238-300 DVariant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | DJM Records L 45817/8First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Canada | DJM Records DJE 2238-300First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | UK | DJM Records DJE 29002First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | UK | Island Records DJE29002LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Japan | DJM Records IFS-40082-83LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Portugal | DJM Records PDJE 29002/2LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Spain | DJM Records DJL 7030LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Spain | DJM Records DJL 7030LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | DJM Records DJM-2-300LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | US | DJM Records DJM-2-300 / DJM Records DJM 2-300LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | US | Columbia DJM-2-300LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Italy | Record Bazaar RB 242LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | UK | Street Tunes SDLP 1001LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1987 | UK | Castle Classics CLALP 127LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
14 vinyl pressings of Koss are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1977 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, Australia, Canada. One of them is DJM Records DJE 29002.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DJE 29002, L 45817/8, DJE 2238-300) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2-SEL-B-7118-A2 Λ 0 and 2-SEL-B-7118-B2 Λ 4. 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.
