Vinyl pressings
by Red Noise · 1979
Sound On Sound was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. 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 1979, the album's first year, in 8 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.
SHSP 4095 A-1 A 1Side A runout, variant 1
SHSP 4095 B-2U NICKWSide B runout, variant 1
SHSP 4095 A-1 A 1Side A runout, variant 2
SHSP 4095 B-1U̶ GA NICKW 1Side B runout, variant 2
ST-1-11931 F3 ⥞ MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ jaSide A etched [⥞ MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ stamped]
ST-2-11931 F5 ⥞ MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ jaSide B etched [ ⥞ MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ stamped]
ST-1-11931 F-1 #1 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side 1 runout
ST-2-11931 F-1 #2 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side 2 runout
(ST 1-11931)Side 1 label
(ST 2-11931)Side 2 label
ST-1-11931 F-2 ━◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyA-Side Runout Etching
ST-2-11931 F-2 ━◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyB-Side Runout Etching
ST 1-11931A-Side Label
ST 2-11931B-Side Label
SHSP 4095 A MAXICUTRun-out side A
SHSP 4095 B MAXICUTRun-out side B
ST-1-11931- F-4 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally ◎Side A runout, etched (MASTERED AT CAPITOL stamped)
ST-2-11931- F•4 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally ◎Side B runout, etched (MASTERED AT CAPITOL stamped)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Harvest SHSP 4095 / Harvest SHSP 4095First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Harvest ST-11931First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Harvest 2C07062277First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Harvest 1C 064-62 277 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-62 277First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Harvest 3c 064-62277First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Harvest EMS-81216First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | EMI EMS-81216 / Harvest EMS-81216First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | UK | Harvest SHSP 4095 / Harvest OC 062-62 277LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1979 | US | Harvest ST-11931First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Harvest ST-11931First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Harvest ST-11931LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | US | Harvest ST-11931First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Harvest SHSP 4095 / Harvest OC 062-62 277First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | US | Cocteau Records JC 14LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | US | Cocteau Records JC 14LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
15 vinyl pressings of Sound On Sound are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1979 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Harvest SHSP 4095, released February 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SHSP 4095, ST-11931, 2C07062277, 1C 064-62 277) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SHSP 4095 A-1 A 1 and SHSP 4095 B-2U NICKW. 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.
