Vinyl pressings
by Steve Morse Band · 1984
The Introduction was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 7 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 EM 60369-A-1 ⚾ 1-1 SRC STERLINGSide A Runout - Etched
ST EM 60369 B1 ⚾ 1-1 SRC STERLINGSide B Runout - Etched
ST-EM-60369-1-E-A-SPLabel A
ST-EM-60369-1-E-B-SPLabel B
ST-EM-60369-1-E-A-SPLabel, side A
ST-EM-60369-1-E-B-SPLabel, side B
STEM 60369-A-1 SPAR B-19562-A-1 [SRC logo] △7141 0- STERLING ⚾ 1-1SM1-1A side runout
STEM 60369 B1 SPAR B-19563-B1 △7141-X 0- [SRC logo] STERLING ⚾ 1-3B side runout
ST-EM-60369-1-E-A-ARA side label
ST-EM-60369-1-E-B-ARB side label
STEM 60369-A-1A GSide A Runout - Etched
STEM 60369-B-1A GSide B Runout - Etched
E1 60369Side A Label
E1 60369Side B Label
STEM60369-A-1 SRC [logo] STERLING Ⓗ 1-1Side A etched SRC Sterling stamped
STEM60369B1 SRC [logo] STERLING Ⓗ 1-1Side B etched SRC Sterling stamped
ST-EM-60369-1-E-A-SPLabel Side A
ST-EM-60369-1-E-B-SPLabel Side B
STEM60369-A-1 SRC [logo] STERLING Ⓗ 1-1Side A etched SRC Sterling stamped
STEM60369B1 SRC [logo] STERLING Ⓗ 1-1Side B etched SRC Sterling stamped
ST-EM-60369-1-E-A-SPLabel Side A
ST-EM-60369-1-E-B-SPLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Asylum Records 60369-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Elektra Musician 96 03691First yearLP | LP |
| 1984 | Canada | Elektra Musician 96 03691First yearLP | LP |
| 1984 | Europe | Elektra Musician 960 369-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Elektra Musician 960 369-1 / Asylum Records 960 369-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Elektra Musician 960 369-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Elektra Musician 960 369-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Elektra Musician 960 369-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | Elektra Musician P-13041First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Philippines | Elektra Musician 9 60369-1-E / Elektra Musician 60369-1-EFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Elektra Musician 9 60369-1-E / Elektra Musician 60369-1-EFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Elektra Musician 9 60369-1-E / Elektra Musician 60369-1-EFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Elektra Musician 9 60369-1-E / Elektra Musician 60369-1-EFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Elektra Musician 9 E1-60369 / Elektra Musician E1-60369First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Elektra Musician 9 60369-1-E / Elektra Musician 60369-1-EFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
19 vinyl pressings of The Introduction are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Europe, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Elektra Musician 9 60369-1-E, released August 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9 60369-1-E, 9 E1-60369, 960 369-1, P-13041) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST EM 60369-A-1 ⚾ 1-1 SRC STERLING and ST EM 60369 B1 ⚾ 1-1 SRC STERLING. 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.
