Vinyl pressings
by Steve Hackett · 1983
Highly Strung was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. 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 1983, 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.
HACK 1 A // 1 ∇ 420 1 1 2 UTOPIASide A runout, variant 1
HACK 1 B // 1 ∇ 420 1 1 2 UTOPIASide B runout, variant 1
HACK 1 A//1 ∇ 420 11 3 ƱtopiaSide A runout, variant 2
HACK 1 B//1 ∇ 420 11 Ʊtopia 5Side B runout, variant 2
P 0 PAL-38515-1A √ANOS,Etched Side A variant 1, except 0 stamped
P 0 PBL-38515-1AEtched Side B variant 1, except 0 stamped
P 0 PAL-38515-1B 1 ^ √ANOSEtched Side A variant 2, except 0 and "1 ^" stamped
P 0 PBL-38515-1B 1 ^Etched Side B variant 2, except 0 and "1 ^" stamped
o G1 PAL-38515-1E √ANOS A7Etched Side A variant 1, except o stamped
o G1 PBL-38515-1E A3Etched Side B variant 1, except o stamped
AL-38515 1A2HZ DM-6Side A runout
BL-38515 -1A2HZ DM-2Side B runout
81120916 1 01 ℗1983 200-1-A Side
81120916 2 01 ℗1983 200-1-B Side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Brazil | Charisma 811 209-1 6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Charisma 206 903-270 / Charisma 206 903-8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Charisma 811 209-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Charisma 811 209-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Charisma 206 903-270LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Germany | Charisma CHC 40LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Italy | Charisma 811 209-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Charisma 25S-161 / Polystar 25S-161First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Charisma 25S-161 / Polystar 25S-161First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Charisma 811 209-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Portugal | Charisma 811 209-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Charisma HACK 1 / Charisma 811 209-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Epic BFE 38515First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Epic BFE 38515First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Epic FE 38515First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Highly Strung are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1983 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Canada, Brazil and more. One of them is Charisma HACK 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HACK 1, BFE 38515, FE 38515, 811 209-1 6) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HACK 1 A // 1 ∇ 420 1 1 2 UTOPIA and HACK 1 B // 1 ∇ 420 1 1 2 UTOPIA. 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.
