Vinyl pressings
by Steve Hackett · 1980
Defector was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 14 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.
CDS 4018//1∇EUT 11 11 [Utopia lyre symbol] KEVVariant 1 Side A runout
CDS 4018//1∇EUT 11 2U [Utopia lyre symbol] KEVVariant 1 Side B runout
CDS 4018 A// 1▽E UT ⇂⇂ 21 [Utopia lyre symbol] KEVVariant 2 Side A runout
CDS 4018 B// 1▽E UT ⇂⇂ 25 [Uptopia lyre symbol] KEVVariant 2 Side B runout
CDS 4018 A// 1▽E UT ⇂⇂ 20 [Utopia lyre symbol] KEVSide A runout, variant 1
CDS 4018 B //1 ▽ EU T 13 2 [Utopia lyre symbol] KEVSide B runout, variant 1
CDS 4018 A// 1▽E UT 11 5 KEV [Utopia lyre symbol]Side A runout, variant 2
CDS 4018 B //1 ▽ EU T 13 3 KEV [Utopia lyre symbol]Side B runout, variant 2
CDS 4018 A//1∇EUT [Utopia Lyre logo] KEVRunout side A stamped, logo and KEV etched
CDS 4018 B//1▽EUT [Utopia Lyre logo] KEVRunout side B stamped, logo and KEV etched
CDS 4018-A*Label side A
CDS 4018-B*Label side B
CL-1-3103-PW-A•5 HWSide A Runout Etched
CL-1-3103-B-5 HWSide B Runout Etched
MASTERDISKBoth Sides Stamped
CL-1-3103-PRC-R-A-2 HWEtched Side A
MASTERDISKStamped Side A
CL-1-3103-PRC-R-B-2-11-1 HWEtched Side B
MASTERDISKStamped 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | Charisma 9124058First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Australia | Charisma 9124 058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | Charisma 9124 058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Charisma CA-1-2214First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Charisma 9124 058First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Charisma 9124 058First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Charisma 9124 058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Charisma RJ-7686First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Charisma RJ-7686First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Charisma 9124 058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Portugal | Charisma 9124 058First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Charisma 9124 058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Charisma 91 24 058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Charisma 91 24 058 (146)First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Charisma CDS 4018First yearAlbum, Promo, LP · Promo | Album, Promo, LP · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Charisma CHC 15LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Charisma CL-1-3103 / Mercury CL-1-3103LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
25 vinyl pressings of Defector are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1980 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Charisma CDS 4018, released June 13, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CDS 4018, CDS4018, CL-1-3103, 9124058) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CDS 4018//1∇EUT 11 11 [Utopia lyre symbol] KEV and CDS 4018//1∇EUT 11 2U [Utopia lyre symbol] KEV. 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.
