Vinyl pressings
by Ronnie Aldrich · 1973
Soft & Wicked was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. 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 1973, the album's first year, in 11 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.
ZAL-12126-5LVariant 1 - Side 1 runout stamped
ZAL-15127-2LVariant 1 - Side 2 runout stamped
ZAL-12126-5L C D 3 CVariant 2 - Side 1 runout stamped
ZAL-15127-2L C U C DVariant 2 - Side 2 runout stamped
JAS-2208 A₁ PAG ARunout side A
JAS-2208 B₁ PAG ARunout side B
ZAL12126A-side label
ZAL12127B-side label
ZAL-12126 YDECX-1183A-side runout, etched
ZAL-15127 YDECX-1184B-side runout, etched
ZAL-12126Side 1 Stamped
ZAL-15127Side 2 Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Decca PFS 4268 / Decca PFS-4268First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Chile | London Records SLLC-38640First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Colombia | London Records SP 44195First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | France | Decca PFS 4.268First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | France | Decca PFS 4.268First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Greece | Decca PFS 4268 / Decca PFS.4268First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Italy | Decca PFS 334268First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Mexico | London Records SP-44195First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic |
| 1973 | Peru | London Records PFS-4268First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Decca PFS 4268 / Decca PFS.4268First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Decca PFS 334268First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Jasmine Records JAS 2208First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Decca SP 44195LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1973 | US | London Records SP 44195First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Venezuela | London Records SP-44195First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Axis AXIS. 6301LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Bolivia | London Records 4FB - 44035LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
22 vinyl pressings of Soft & Wicked are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1973 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Australia, Chile and more. One of them is Decca PFS 4268.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PFS 4268, PFS 334268, JAS 2208, SP 44195) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-12126-5L and ZAL-15127-2L. 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.
