Vinyl pressings
by René & Angela · 1981
Wall To Wall 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 3 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-1-12161 22 ❀ #2 ⎯⎯◁Side A runout etched Variant 1
ST-2-12161 22 ❀ #2 ⎯⎯◁Side B runout etched Variant 1
ST-1-12161 22 ❀ #3 ⎯⎯◁Side A runout etched Variant 2
ST-2-12161 22 ❀ #3 ⎯⎯◁Side B runout etched Variant 2
ST-12161--1Side A
ST-12161--2Side B
ST-1 12161A-side label
ST-2-12161B-side label
ST-1-12161 21 #1 ❀ 0Runout, Side A - Etched
ST-2-12161 21 #2 ❀ 0Runout, Side B - Etched
MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Runout, Both Sides - Stamped
ST-1-12161Side 1 Label
MR ∆ 25151 ST-1-12161 -Z3 ❀Side A runout etched
∆ 25151X MR ST-2-12161 Z3 ❀Side B runout etched
MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Both sides runout stamped
(ST-1-12161)Side A label
ST-1-12161 Z5 ❀ 1 ✲Side A runout etched
ST-2-12161 Z5 ❀ 1 ✲Side B runout etched
MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Both sides runout stamped
(ST-1-12161)Side A label
M6 336752 2 400 024 B 21 JCP
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 | France | Capitol Records 2C 068 400024First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Philippines | Capitol Records ST-12161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records ST-12161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records ST-12161First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records ST-12161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records ST-12161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records ST-12161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | Capitol Records EMS 1118 / Capitol Records 26 0798 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Capitol Records ST-16386LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SN-16386 / EMI SN-16386LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Wall To Wall are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1981 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, France, Philippines. One of them is Capitol Records ST-12161.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-12161, 2C 068 400024) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-12161 22 ❀ #2 ⎯⎯◁ and ST-2-12161 22 ❀ #2 ⎯⎯◁. 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.
