Vinyl pressings
by Red Rider · 1981
As Far As Siam 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.
7 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 4 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.
ST-ITI45-A-3 X K.E.F. TLC•A•Side A runout (etched)
ST-ITI45-B-3 ④ K.E.F. TLC• ̶A̶•-ASide B runout (etched)
(Capitol Logo)Both sides runout (stamped)
ST-12145-A-3 X 1 in a circle K.E.F. TLC•A•Variant 2 Side A runout (etched)
0 ST-1-12145 F-1#2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallySide 1 runout, variant 1
0 ST-2-12145 F-2#1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallySide 2 runout, variant 1
0 ST-1-12145 F-2 #1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallySide 1 runout, variant 2
0 ST-2-12145 F-1 #1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallySide 2 runout, variant 2
ST-1-12145 F-3#2 —◁ wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide 1 etched / Mastered By Capitol stamped variant 1
ST-2-12145 F-3#2 —◁ wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide 2 etched / Mastered By Capitol stamped variant 1
ST-1-12145 F-3#2 —◁ wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide 1 etched / Mastered By Capitol stamped variant 2
ST-2-12145 F-3 —◁ wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide 2 etched / Mastered By Capitol stamped variant 2
ST-1-12145 F-5 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally MR△25138 (3)A side runout, var. 1
ST-2-12145 F-6 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally △25138X ③ MRB side runout, var. 1
ST-1-12145 F-5 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally MR△25138 (4)B side runout, var. 2
ST-2-12145 F-6 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally △25138X (4) MRB side runout, var. 2
ST-1-12145 G-7. [scribble] MASTERED BY CAPITOL, ✲, 2Side A runout Variant 1
ST-2-12145 G-7. [scribble] MASTERED BY CAPITOL, ✲, 2Side B runout Variant 1
ST-1-12145 G-7. [ .] [scribble] MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲Side A runout Variant 2
ST-2-12145 G-7. — [scribble] MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Capitol Records ST-12145First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-12145First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Capitol Records EST-12145 / Capitol Records 0C 062-400 034First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records ST-12145First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records SN-16329LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records ST-12145First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records ST-12145First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records ST-12145First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records ST-12145LP, Album, Club Edition, Remastered · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Remastered · Club edition |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records SN-16329LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Venezuela | Capitol Records ST-50029LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records SN 66165LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records ST-12145LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records ST-12145LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Capitol Records 1C 038 15 7662 1 / Fame 1C 038 15 7662 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of As Far As Siam are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Canada, UK, US, Australia. One of them is Capitol Records ST-12145.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-12145, EST-12145) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-ITI45-A-3 X K.E.F. TLC•A• and ST-ITI45-B-3 ④ K.E.F. TLC• ̶A̶•-A. 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.
