Vinyl pressings
by Scorpions · 1984
Gold Ballads 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.
13 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 6 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.
2603361-A6 2.Side A runout, variant 1
2603361-B7-D 1Side B runout, variant 1
2603361-A4 + DSide A runout, variant 2
2603361-B5 + DSide B runout, variant 2
2603361-A6
2603361-B5+D
2603361-A6side 1 variant 1
2603361-B7-Dside 2 variant 1
2603361-A6
2603361-B5+D
2603361-A6 2Runout side A, stamped/"2" etched
2603361-B5 + D 3Runout side B, stamped/"3" etched
2603361 - A4 + DRunout side A stamped
2603361 - B5 + DRunout side B stamped
M9 347991 2 260336 1 A 21 CA, stamped
M9 348039 2 260336 1B 21DB, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Europe | Harvest 056 26 0336 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Europe | Harvest 1C 032 Z 26 0336 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Europe | Harvest 032 Z 26 0336 1 / Harvest 1C 032 Z 26 0336 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | France | Harvest 2603361First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | France | Harvest 2603361First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | France | Harvest 2603361First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Germany | Harvest 1C 032 Z 26 0336 1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Harvest 038 26 0336 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Germany | Harvest 2603361LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Israel | Portrait 032 260336 / Harvest 032 260336First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Italy | Harvest 50 2603361First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Spain | Harvest 056-2603361 / Harvest 056 26 0336 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Spain | Harvest 056 26 0336 1First yearLP, Mini-Album, Compilation | LP, Mini-Album, Compilation |
| 1984 | Spain | Harvest 056-2603361 / Harvest 056 26 0336 1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | Portugal | Harvest 26 0336 1LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Spain | Harvest 056-2603361 / Harvest 056 26 0336 1LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Gold Ballads are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1984 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Germany, Europe, France, Israel and more. One of them is Harvest 1C 032 Z 26 0336 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1C 032 Z 26 0336 1, 038 26 0336 1, 056 26 0336 1, 032 Z 26 0336 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2603361-A6 2. and 2603361-B7-D 1. 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.
