Vinyl pressings
by Saga · 1981
On The Loose 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.
3 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 3 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.
2040 389 S 1 3 20 1 AARunout side A, stamped, variant 1
2040 389 S 2 3 20 1 ARunout side B, stamped, variant 1
2040 389 S 1 3 20 1 BRunout side A, stamped, variant 2
2040 389 S 2 3 20 1 AARunout side B, stamped, variant 2
MS 806-A TLC-TSide A
MS 806-B TLC-TSide B
02-01-7646-1ASide A - etched
02-01-7647-1ASide B - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Canada | Maze Records MS 806First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2040 389First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Mexico | Epic SC-72009First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Australia | Portrait PR 45030 / Epic PR 450307", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Australia | Portrait PR 45030 / Epic PR 450307", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Portrait PRT A2958 / Epic PRT A29587", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | UK | Portrait PRT A2958 / Epic PRT A29587", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Portrait 37-033597", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | US | Portrait 37-033597", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Portrait RNR-035327", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Portrait AV-27", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | South Africa | CBS SSC 5412 / Portrait SSC 54127", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of On The Loose are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1981 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Germany, Canada, Mexico. One of them is Polydor 2040 389.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2040 389, MS 806, SC-72009) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2040 389 S 1 3 20 1 AA and 2040 389 S 2 3 20 1 A. 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.
