Vinyl pressings
by Quarterflash · 1981
Harden My Heart was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 12 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.
GEF ###A&B-side run-outs, stamped [followed by hand strike-thru]
A-1838-A1A-side run-out, hand-etched [after GEF]
A 1838-B1B-side run-out, hand-etched [after GEF]
GEF 1 3Both Sides - Stamped
G̶̷A̶̷S̶̷ A -1838-A1A-Side - Etched
G̶̷A̶̷S̶̷ A 1838-B1B-Side - Etched
ZCA 9930SA-Side Label
ZCA 9929SB-Side Label
GEF-49824-ZCA-9930-S SR2 SP 1-4 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyA-Side Variation 1
GEF-49824-ZCA-9920-S SR2 SP 1-4 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyB-Side Variation 1
GEF-49824-ZCA-9930-S LW1- [.] ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyA-Side Runout Etching, MASTERED BY CAPITOL Stamped
GEF-49824-ZCA-9920-S LW1. ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyB-Side Runout Etching, MASTERED BY CAPITOL Stamped
ZCA 9930SA-Side Label
ZCA 9929SB-Side Label
GEF-49824-ZCA-9930-S JW1 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0A-Side Runout
GEF-49824-ZCA-9929-S JW1#1 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0B-Side Runout
ZCA 9930SA-Side Label
ZCA 9929SB-Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Geffen Records GEF 49824First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Geffen Records GEF 49824First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Belgium | Geffen Records GEFA-1838First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Brazil | Epic 46.529First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | Geffen Records GEF 49824First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | Geffen Records GEF 49824First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | Geffen Records GEF 49824 QFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Costa Rica | CBS 7012547First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Europe | Geffen Records GEFA 1838 / Geffen Records GEFA-1838First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Geffen Records GEFA 1838First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Geffen Records GEFA 1838First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Japan | Geffen Records 07SP 590First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 590First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Geffen Records GEF49824First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | South Africa | Geffen Records SSC 5281First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Geffen Records GGEF 042645 RPM, 7", Single, Reissue | 45 RPM, 7", Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Geffen Records GGEF 04267", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | US | Geffen Records GGEF 04267", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
33 vinyl pressings of Harden My Heart are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Geffen Records GEF A1838.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GEF A1838, GEF A 1838, GEF49824, GEF 49824) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GEF ### and A-1838-A1. 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.
