Vinyl pressings
by Saga · 1983
Heads Or Tales was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 14 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.
AL-38999 MASTERDISK HWRunout side A - variant 1
BL-38999 MASTERDISK HWRunout side B - variant 1
AL-38999- MASTERDISK HW 14Runout side A - variant 2
BL-38999 MASTERDISK HWRunout side B - variant 2
ML 8007-A RE-3 TLC-ARunout side A
ML 8007-B RE-3 TLC-ARunout side B
PRT 25470 A1 ARUN ASide A
PRT 25470 B1 ARUN ASide B
PRT 2570 A1 ARUNSide A - Variant 1
PRT 2570 B1 ARUNSide B - Variant 1
PRT 2570 A1 ARUN ASide A - Variant 2
PRT 2570 B1 ARUN ASide B - Variant 2
D2 C G1 AL-38999-2C MASTERDISK HWRunout Side A - Variant 1
L1 C G1 BL-38999-2C MASTERDISK HWRunout Side B - Variant 1
AL-38999-2A I MASTERDISK HWRunout Side A - Variant 2
BL-38999-2B I MASTERDISK HWRunout Side B - Variant 2
P o AL-389991-2B MASTERDISK HWSide A
P o BL-38999-2B MASTERDISK HW CSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Argentina | CBS 20.470First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Argentina | CBS 20.470First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Australia | Portrait PR 33020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia | Portrait PR 33020First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | Maze Records ML 8007First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Maze Records ML 8007First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Polydor 815 410-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | Polydor 815 410-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1983 | Germany | Polydor 32 152-1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | Germany | Polydor 46 425 5LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | Germany | Polydor 815 410-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Germany | Polydor 815 410-1First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1983 | Greece | Polydor 815410-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | Polydor 815410-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1983 | Italy | Polydor 815 410-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Scandinavia | Bonaire EL 208 477LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Ear Music Classics 0215532EMULP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
38 vinyl pressings of Heads Or Tales are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1983 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in Canada, UK, US, Germany and more. One of them is Maze Records ML 8007.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ML 8007, PRT 25740, FR 38999, PR38999) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-38999 MASTERDISK HW and BL-38999 MASTERDISK HW. 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.
