Vinyl pressings
by Roger Troutman · 1984
The Saga Continues... was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 9 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.
1 23975 A WW3 ─◁Side A runout, variant 1
1 23975 B WW2 ─◁Side B runout, variant 1
1 23975 A WW3 ─◁Side A runout, variant 2
1 23975 B WW2 # 3 ─◁Side B runout, variant 2
1-23975 A SH2 [ARC logo] B-19276-SH2 SLM △6588 1-1Side A run out
1 23975 B SH 1 [ARC logo] B-19277-SH1 SLM △6588-X 1-1Side B run out
1 23975 A JW #3 0Runout Side A, variant 1
1-23975 B JW #5 0Runout Side B, variant 1
1-23975 A JW1 #2 0Runout Side A, variant 2
1-23975 A JW1 #1 0Runout Side B, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 923975-1 A △6588 1-4 1-23975 A SHL XO B-19276-SH2 SLMA Side runout stamped/etched
R/S Alsdorf 923975-1 B 1 23975 B SHL OB-19277-SH2 X S SLM △6588-X 1-4 GBB Side runout stamped/etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 26.131First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 923 975-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 923 975-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Warner Bros. Records 923 975-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 923 975-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-11493First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-11493First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records 923 975-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records 239751First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Warner Bros. Records W1-23975First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Warner Bros. Records 23975-1 / Warner Bros. Records 1-23975First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Warner Bros. Records 23975-1 / Warner Bros. Records 1-23975First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Warner Bros. Records 23975-1 / Warner Bros. Records 1-23975First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | Warner Bros. Records 923 975-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
14 vinyl pressings of The Saga Continues... are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Brazil, Europe and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 23975-1, released May 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 23975-1, W1-23975, 923 975-1, 26.131) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1 23975 A WW3 ─◁ and 1 23975 B WW2 ─◁. 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.
