Vinyl pressings
by Shoes · 1979
Present Tense was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
6E-244-A-SP STERLING 1-2 [SRC logo]Runout side A, variant 1
6E-244-B-SP STERLING 1-2 [SRC logo]Runout side B, variant 1
6E-244-A-SP STERLING 1-2 [SRC logo]Runout side A, variant 2
6E-244-B-SP STERLING 1-1 [SRC logo]Runout side B, variant 2
6E-244-A-1-ED STERLINGRunout A, variant 1
6E-244-A-2-ED STERLINGRunout B, variant 1
6E-244-A-1-ED S1-111 STERLINGRunout A, variant 2
6E-244-A-2-ED STERLINGRunout B, variant 2
SRC [logo] 6E-244-A-SP STERLING 1-2Side A etched, SRC Sterling stamped
SRC [logo] 6E-244-B-SP STERLING 1-1Side A etched, SRC Sterling stamped
6E-244-A SPSide A label
6E-244-B SPSide B label
6E-244-A-1-ED STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
6E-244-B-1-ED STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
6E-244-A-1-ED S1-111 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
6E-244-B-1-ED STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
K 52187 A1 W-4 EG STRAWBERRYSide A runout
K 52187 B1 STRAWBERRY EG W-3Side B runout
WEA - 52187 - ALabel Side A
WEA - 52187 - BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Elektra 6E-244First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Elektra Q6E-244First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Europe | Elektra ELK 52 187First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | Elektra ELK 52 187LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Europe | Elektra ELK 52187First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Elektra ELK 52 187First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | Elektra W 52187First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Elektra W 52187First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Elektra ELK 52187First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | South Africa | Elektra EKC 6088First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Elektra K 52187First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Elektra 6E-244First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Elektra 6E-244First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Europe | Elektra EKL 52 187 (6E 224)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Greece | Elektra 52187First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
20 vinyl pressings of Present Tense are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Europe, Greece and more. One of them is Elektra 6E-244, released September 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6E-244, K 52187, EKL 52 187 (6E 224), 52187) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6E-244-A-SP STERLING 1-2 [SRC logo] and 6E-244-B-SP STERLING 1-2 [SRC logo]. 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.
