Vinyl pressings
by Rachel Sweet · 1978
Fool Around was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 7 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.
SEEZ 12 A? TO UNSUNG HEROES..... ANGELSide A runout variant 1
PETE SOLLEY SEEZ 12 B2 Hi Pete...Yes you got a mention ANGELSide B runout variant 1
SEEZ 12 A2 1 N TO UNSUNG HEROES..... ANGELSide A runout variant 2
SEEZ 12 B2 1 K Hi Pete...Yes you got a mention ANGEL PETE SOLLEYSide B runout variant 2
TO UNSUNG HEROES.... ANGELA-Side
PETE SOLLEY HI PETE ...YES YOU GOT A MENTIONB-Side
SEEZ 12 side #1 QT-2 AR-934-1-12Side A etched
SEEZ 12 side # 2 QT-1 AR-950-2-12Side B etched
SEEZ 12 A2 TO UNSUNG HEROES..... ANGELSide A runout, etched
SEEZ 12 B2 Hi Pete...Yes you got a mention ANGEL PETE SOLLEYSide B runout, etched
SMX53845Side A label
SMX53846Side B label
BLY 940805 ASide A
BLY 940805 BSide B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Stiff Records L 36832 / Stiff Records L-36,832First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Stiff Records 940 805First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.23659 / Stiff Records SEEZ 12First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Stiff Records SEEZ 12 / Stiff Records SEE 12-HFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Stiff Records SEEZ 12 / Stiff Records SEE 12-HFirst yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Stiff Records SEEZ 12First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Spain | Stiff Records TXS 3135First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | UK | Stiff Records SEEZ 12First yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | UK | Stiff Records SEEZ 12First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1978 | UK | Stiff Records SEEZ P-12First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1978 | UK | Stiff Records SEEZ 12 / Stiff Records Seez 12First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Stiff-Columbia JC 36101LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | Japan | Stiff Records VIP-6612 / Stiff Records STIFF-6003LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | Stiff Records TSX 3135 / Stiff Records SEEZ 12LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Stiff-Columbia JC 36101LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Portugal | Stiff Records SEEZ 12 NPLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Stiff Records 6.23659 / Stiff Records 6.23659 BLLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| ? | Japan | Stiff Records VIP-6690LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Stiff Records SEEZ 12LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Stiff-Columbia PC 36101LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Stiff-Columbia PC 36101LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
28 vinyl pressings of Fool Around are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1978 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is Stiff Records SEEZ 12.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SEEZ 12, SEEZ P-12, L 36832, 940 805) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SEEZ 12 A? TO UNSUNG HEROES..... ANGEL and PETE SOLLEY SEEZ 12 B2 Hi Pete...Yes you got a mention ANGEL. 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.
