Vinyl pressings
by Steve Hackett · 1979
Spectral Mornings 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.
20 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 13 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.
S14 CDS-4017 A-4W KEVRunout Side A, Etched - Variant 1
S-9 CDS-4017-B-4W KEVRunout Side B, Etched - Variant 1
S3 CDS-4017-A-4W KEVRunout Side A, Etched - Variant 2
S4 CDS-4017-B-4W KEVRunout Side B, Etched - Variant 2
CDS4017 A//4▽E MC 11 5 KEV-MUSIC CENTRESide A runout - variant 1
CDS 4017 B//2▽EMC 12 1 KEVSide B runout - variant 1
CDS4017 A//5▽E MC 12 1 KEVSide A runout variant 2
CDS 4017 B//2▽EMC 12 4 KEVSide B runout variant 2
CDS 4017 A//4▽E MC 11 6 KEV-MUSIC CENTRERunout Side A, Etched - Variant 2
CDS 4017 B//2▽E MC 12 2 KEVRunout Side B, Etched - Variant 2
S1 CHR 1223-AS SM-2 AZ CBSide 1 Runout Etched Variant 1
S1 CHR-1223-BS SM-1 AZ CBSide 2 Runout Etched Variant 1
CHR-1223-AS SM-2 AZ CB SX A S2Side 1 Runout Etched Variant 2
CHR 1223B-1FSide 2 Runout Stamped Variant 2
2S p CHR-1223-AS SM-2 AZ CB SX A2Side A runout
p CHR 1223B-1F A 3Side B runout
CHR-1223-ASSide A label
CHR-1223-BSSide B label
6056-ARunoff A
6056-BRunoff 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 | Argentina | Charisma 6056First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Australia | Charisma 9124 039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Charisma 9211-4017First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Charisma 9103 127First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Charisma 9124 039First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | Charisma 9124 039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Charisma 9124 039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Charisma RJ 7601First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Charisma RJ 7601First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Charisma 9124 039First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Charisma 9124 039First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Charisma 9124 039First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Scandinavia | Charisma 9124 039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | Charisma 91 24 039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Charisma CDS 4017First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Europe | Charisma 206 970 / Charisma 206 970-610LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Charisma CA-1-2210LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Charisma CDS 4017LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Charisma CHC 67 / Charisma CDS 4017LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Charisma CDS 4017LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Chrysalis PV 41223LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Chrysalis PV 41223LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
27 vinyl pressings of Spectral Mornings are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1979 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Charisma CDS 4017.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CDS 4017, CHR 1223, 6056, 9124 039) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S14 CDS-4017 A-4W KEV and S-9 CDS-4017-B-4W 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.
