Vinyl pressings
by Pete Townshend · 1980
Empty Glass 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.
38 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 19 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.
K 50699 A-1 W-10KD Timtom CBSSide A runout, variant 1
K 50699 B-1 W-10 TY-CBSSide B runout, variant1
K 50699 A-1 W-3 Timtom CBSSide A runout, variant 2
K 50699 B-1 W-7 TY-CBSSide B runout, variant 2
W-1 KD K 50699 A3 2 Timtom CBSSide A runout, variant 1
W-2 K 50699 B-1 I TY-CBSSide B runout, variant 1
W-4 K 50699 A3 Timtom CBSSide A runout, variant 2
W-4 K 50699 B-2 I TY-CBSSide B runout, variant 2
TimTom - cbs england 0-1sm2-1 ST - C - 804437 - D SPSide A runout, variant 1
STC 804438 A STERLING TJSide B runout, variant 1
ST-C-804437-SPLabel side A
ST-C-804438-SPLabel side B
ST-C-804437-D MO 24746 (3) timtom - cbs england 32-100Side A runout, variant 1
ST-C-804438-D MO △24746-X timtom - cbs englandSide B runout, variant 1
ST-C-804437-D MO △24746 (2) Timtom-cbs england 32011Side A runout, variant 2
ST-C-804438-D MO △24746x (3) Timtom-cbs-england - 32-100Side B runout, variant 2
ST-C-804437-D SP Timtom - cbs england 0-1 SM1-1Side A runout, variant 1
ST-C-804438-D SP 0-1 SM-3-4 timtom - cbs englandSide B runout, variant 1
ST-C-804437-D SP Timtom - cbs england 0-1 SM3-1Side A runout, variant 2
ST-C-804438-D SP 0-1 SM-3-4 timtom - cbs englandSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Unknown | Atco SD 32-100First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Argentina | ATCO Records 208817First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Argentina | ATCO Records 208817First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | ATCO Records 30.132First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | ATCO Records XSD 32-100First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | Atco Records XSD 32-100First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | ATCO Records XSD 32-100First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | ATCO Records XSD 32-100First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | ATCO Records XSD 32-100First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Europe | ATCO Records ATC 50 699First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | ATCO Records ATC 50 699First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | ATCO Records 50 699First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | ATCO Records ATC 50 699 / ATCO Records (SD 32-100)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | ATCO Records ATC 50 699First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | ATCO Records ATC 50 699First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Japan | Imperial Records TEJI-33009LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Europe | UMC 4780143LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Worldwide | Universal Music Recordings 4868197LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | ATCO Records SD 32-100LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Colombia | ATCO Records 23(7931)00209LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | ATCO Records ATC 50 699LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | ATCO Records ATC 50 699LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | South Africa | Atlantic ATC 9748LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Taiwan | Liming Record LM-3050LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | US | ATCO Records SD 32-100LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | ATCO Records SD 32-100 / ATCO Records SD 32100LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
63 vinyl pressings of Empty Glass are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1980 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Australia, Argentina and more. One of them is ATCO Records K50699, released April 14, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K50699, SD 32-100, SD 32100, 208817) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K 50699 A-1 W-10KD Timtom CBS and K 50699 B-1 W-10 TY-CBS. 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.
