Vinyl pressings
by Ricky Nelson · 1981
Playing To Win 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.
13 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 10 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.
SOO-1-12109 F-1 #1 WallySide A, etched (Variant 1)
SOO-2-12109 F-1 #2 WallySide B, etched (Variant 1)
MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A & B, stamped (Variant 1)
SOO-1-12109 F-3 [1 sideways] * * MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallySide A, etched (Variant 2)
SOO-1-12109 F-1 0 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRunout, Side A
SOO-2-12109 F-1 0 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRunout, Side B
SOO 1-12109Label, Side A
SOO 2-12109Label, Side B
SOO-1-12109 F-2 #3 • ━◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRunout A
SOO-2-12109 F-4 • ━◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRunout B
SOO-1-12109Label A
SOO-2-12109Label B
EST 1 12109-1 O 1Side A runout
EST 2 12109-1 2 1Side B runout
E-ST1 12109Side A label
E-ST2 12109Side B label
M6 334780 2 8628 1 A 21 JCPSide A
M6 334781 2 86281 B 21 JCPSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Canada | Capitol Records SOO-12109First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Capitol Records 2C 068 86281First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 064-86 281First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-81405First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-81405First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Capitol Records 1A 062-86281First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Capitol Records SO-12109First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Capitol Records 10C 064-086.281First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Capitol Records EST 12109 / Capitol Records OC 062-86 281First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records SOO-12109First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records SOO-12109First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records SOO-12109First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Venezuela | Capitol Records 497First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Playing To Win are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Capitol Records SOO-12109.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SOO-12109, EST 12109, 2C 068 86281, 1C 064-86 281) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SOO-1-12109 F-1 #1 Wally and SOO-2-12109 F-1 #2 Wally. 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.
