Vinyl pressings
by Phil Manzanera · 1975
Diamond Head was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1975, 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.
ILPS 9315 A-1 OSide A variant 1
ILPS 9315 B-1 RSide B variant 1
ILPS 9315 A-1 GGSide A variant 2
ILPS 9315 B-1 GRSide B variant 2
ST-C-753345-AAA AT PRCSide One Runout Etched
ST-C-753346-AAA AT PRCSide Two Runout Etched
ST-C-753345RISide One Label
ST-C-753346RISide Two Label
ST-C-753345-A AT PRSide A runout
ST-C-753346-A AT PRSide B runout
ST-C-753345 PRSide A label
ST-C-753346 PRSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Island Records L 35537First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Brazil | Island Records ILPS 9315First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | ATCO Records SD 36-113First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | France | Island Records 9101 643First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | Island Records 88 750 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19315First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Island Records 88 750 XOT / Island Records ILPS 9315First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Spain | Island Records 88.750 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Island Records ILPS.9315First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | ATCO Records SD 36-113First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | ATCO Records SD 36-113LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1975 | US | ATCO Records SD 36-113First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | ATCO Records SD 36-113LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1975 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9315 / Island Records ILPS.9315First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Island Records ILS-80254First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | ATCO Records SD 36-113LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | ATCO Records SD 36-113LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | ATCO Records SD 36-113LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | ATCO Records SD 36-113LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | ATCO Records SD 36-113LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Polydor 2310 511LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Island Records 88 750 XOTLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9315LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Polydor 2302 062 / Island Records ILPS 9315LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Polydor 2302 062 / Polydor 2302-062LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | ATCO Records SD 36-113LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
34 vinyl pressings of Diamond Head are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1975 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9315, released May 9, 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9315, ILPS.9315, SD 36-113, ILS-80254) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9315 A-1 O and ILPS 9315 B-1 R. 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.
