Vinyl pressings
by Richie Havens · 1970
Alarm Clock was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1970, 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.
P SFS-6005-A-2 MGS-2482 RKO RtSide A Runout Etched [P, stamped] - variant 1
P SFS-6005-B-5 MGS-2483 RKO RtSide B Runout Etched [P, stamped] - variant 1
P SFS-6005-A-3 MGS-2482 RKO RtSide A Runout Etched [P, stamped] - variant 2
P SFS-6005-B-5 MGS-2483 RKO RtSide B Runout Etched [P, stamped] - variant 2
MGS-2482- SFS-6005-A-5 RKO RtRunout A variant 1
MGS-2483 SFS-6005-B-10 C RKO RtRunout B variant 1
MGS-2482- SFS-6005-A-2 RKO RtRunout A variant 2
MGS-2483 SFS-6005-B-5 C RKO RtRunout B variant 2
MGS-2482 SFS-6005-A-6 . RKO RtRunout Side A Etched
/ S MGS-2483 SFS-6005-B-10 o RKO RtRunout Side B Etched, o Stamped
(MGS 2482)Label Side A
(MGS 2483)Label Side B
P SFS-6005-A-2 MGS-2482 RKO RtSide A runout, variant 1
P SFS-6005-B-3 MGS-2483 RKO RtSide B runout, variant 1
P SFS-6005-A-2 MGS-2482 RKO Rt A 3Side A runout, variant 2
P SFS-6005-B-5 MGS 2483 RKO Rt D 5Side B runout, variant 2
S MGS-2482- I SFS-6005-A-5 B4 RKO RtRunout side A etched
S \ MGS-2483 SFS-6005-B-9 RKO Rt B2Runout side B etched
(MGS 2482)Label side A
(MGS 2483)Label side B
MGS-2482- SFS-6005-A-2 RKO Rt C CSide 1: string etched, "C" and "C" stamped
MGS-2483 SFS-6005-B-5 D RKO RtSide 2: string etched, "D" stamped
MGS 2482Label A
MGS 2483Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Canada | Polydor 2310 080First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | France | Disc'Az STEC LP 86First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Taiwan | Tailee TLA-6733LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| 1970 | US | Stormy Forest SFS 6005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Stormy Forest SFS 6005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Stormy Forest SFS 6005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Stormy Forest SFS 6005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Stormy Forest SFS 6005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Stormy Forest SFS 6005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Brazil | Polydor 2302017LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Polydor 2310 080 / Stormy Forest 2310 080LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Polydor 2310 080 / Stormy Forest 2310 080LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Norway | Polydor 2310 080LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2310 080LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | South Africa | RPM RPM 1061LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Spain | Polydor 24 75 720LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Europe | Elemental Music 140011 / Stormy Forest 140011LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
23 vinyl pressings of Alarm Clock are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1970 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Canada, France. One of them is Stormy Forest SFS 6005.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SFS 6005, 2310 080, STEC LP 86) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P SFS-6005-A-2 MGS-2482 RKO Rt and P SFS-6005-B-5 MGS-2483 RKO Rt. 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.
