Vinyl pressings
by Stacey Q · 1988
Hard Machine was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 10 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-876581-D 1-1 [SRC logo] ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Side A runout
ST-A-876582-C 1-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. [SRC logo]Side B runout
ST-A-876581-SPSide A label
ST-A-876582-SPSide B label
ST-A-876581-D 1-2 SPAR [SRC Logo] B-30061-D ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. ̶B̶-̶2̶8̶9̶5̶8̶-̶D̶ ̶△̶ ̶1̶8̶0̶5̶8̶ 0- △19229Side A runout
ST-A-876582-C 1-2 SPAR B-30023 △ 19229-X ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. 0- [SRC Logo]Side B runout
ST-A-876581-ARSide A label
ST-A-876582-ARSide B label
MX 300475 81802-1-1
78-18021-A1 [circled 2]Runout, side A
78-18021-B1Runout, side B
R/S Alsdorf 781802-1-AX 2 HSide A runout
R/S Alsdorf 781802-1-BX D̶K̶ ̶D̶I̶M̶ ̶A̶ ̶2̶F̶ S 4 HSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | Atlantic 90721 / WEA 90721First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Australia | Atlantic 81802-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Atlantic 78 18021First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Atlantic 781 802-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Mexico | Atlantic LWA-6711First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | South Korea | Oasis Record Co. OLW 529First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | Atlantic 781 802-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Atlantic 81802-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Atlantic 81802-1 / Atlantic 81802LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | US | Atlantic 81802-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Venezuela | Atlantic 3227First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Japan | Atlantic P-13635First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Japan | Atlantic P-13635First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Atlantic A1 81802LP, Album | LP, Album |
14 vinyl pressings of Hard Machine are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, Japan, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Atlantic 81802-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 81802-1, P-13635, 78 18021, 781 802-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-876581-D 1-1 [SRC logo] ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. and ST-A-876582-C 1-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. [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.
