Vinyl pressings
by Steely Dan · 1977
Deacon Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. 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 1977, the album's first year, in 4 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.
AB 12355 29706-S - 1B sRunout side A, etched
AB 12355 ̶2̶9̶7̶9̶7̶-̶S̶ 29707-S -1A sRunout side B, etched
45-29706-SLabel side A
45-29707-SLabel side B
AB 12355 29706-S XX PRunout side A, variant 1
AB 12355 ̶2̶9̶7̶9̶7̶-̶S̶ 29707-S XX PRunout side B, variant 1
AB 12355 29706-S/ PRunout side A, variant 2
AB 12355 ̶2̶9̶7̶9̶7̶-̶S̶ 29707-SRunout side B, variant 2
AB 12355 29706-S - 1C SSSSRunout side A, etched
AB 12355 ̶2̶9̶7̶9̶7̶-̶S̶ 29707-S -1A SIIRunout side B, etched
45-29706-SLabel side A
45-29707-SLabel side B
A3 5 SPDJ 32-S-1ASide A deadwax
A6 5 SPDJ 32-S-1BSide B deadwax
A1 15 SPDJ-33-S-1ASide A deadwax
A2 15 SPDJ-33-S-1BSide B deadwax
p AB12355 29706-MSide A runout
p AB12355 29706-S XXSide B runout
45-29706-SSide A label
45-29707-SSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | ABC Records TDS-005First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Australia | ABC Records 103114First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Canada | ABC Records 1022-12355First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | New Zealand | RCA 103114First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | ABC Records 103114First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | ABC Records SPDJ-32First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1977 | US | ABC Records SPDJ-33First year12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1977 | US | ABC Records AB-12355First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | US | ABC Records AB-12355First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1977 | US | ABC Records AB-12355First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | ABC Records AB-12355First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | ABC Records AB-12355First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | ABC Records AB-12355First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | Germany | ABC Records 15 668 AT7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | ABC Records AB-123557", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
15 vinyl pressings of Deacon Blues are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is ABC Records AB-12355.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AB-12355, SPDJ-32, SPDJ-33, TDS-005) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AB 12355 29706-S - 1B s and AB 12355 ̶2̶9̶7̶9̶7̶-̶S̶ 29707-S -1A s. 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.
