Vinyl pressings
by Roy Buchanan · 1977
Loading Zone was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1977, 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.
ST-A-773855-A (PR)PSide A runout, variant 1
ST-A-773856-A (PR)PSide B runout, variant 1
ST-A-773855- B (PR)PRSide A runout, variant 2
ST-A-773856-A (PR)PSide B runout, variant 2
ST-A-773855-MOLabel Side A
ST-A-773856-MOLabel Side B
ST-A-773855-AAA-1 PRC (PR)Side A runout, variant 2
ST-A-773856-AAA-1 PRC (PR)Side B runout, variant 2
ST-A-773855-BBB-1 (PR)Side A runout, Variant 3
ST-A-773856-AAA-1 (PR)Side B runout, Variant 3
2391295 A*//1 P 1 9 11Side A runout stamped variant 1
2391295 B//1 P 11Side B runout stamped variant 1
2391295 A ̶B̶ //1 P 1 11 3Side A runout stamped variant 2
2391295 B//1 P 11 3Side B runout stamped variant 2
2391295 A3̷ // 1 P 1 11 3Stamped, Side A
2391295 B // 1 P 1 1 3Stamped, Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Polydor 2391 295First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Australia | Polydor 2391 295First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Atlantic SD 18219 / Atlantic SD-18219First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Atlantic SD 18219First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Atlantic SD 18219First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Polydor 2391 295First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Polydor 2391 295First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Polydor 2391 295First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Polydor 239 1295First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Polydor 2391 295First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Polydor 2391 295First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Polydor 2391 295First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Polydor 2391 295LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1977 | US | Atlantic SD 18219First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Atlantic SD 18219First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Polydor 2391 295LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2391 295LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | South Korea | Echoes AS 107LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Atlantic SD 19138LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
25 vinyl pressings of Loading Zone are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 18219.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 18219, 2391 295, MPF 1086, 239 1295) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-773855-A (PR)P and ST-A-773856-A (PR)P. 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.
