Vinyl pressings
by Stray Cats · 1981
Gonna Ball was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
STRAY 2 A//9▽EP 11 4Side A runout, variant 1
STRAY 2 B//8▽EP 111 3Side B runout, variant 1
STRAY 2 A//9▽EP 12 5Side A runout, variant 2
STRAY 2 B//7▽EP L2 4Side B runout, variant 2
204019 A-1 / 81 S II Made In GermanySide A runout, stamped
204019 B-1 / 81 S II Made In GermanySide B runout, stamped
3 SMX58371 P2ARunout side A, Variant 1
5 SMX58372 P2ARunout side B, Variant 1
1 SMX58371 P2ARunout side A, Variant 2
11 SMX58372 P2ARunout side B, Variant 2
STRAY 2 A // 3 ▽E TO 1 2 BILBO.TA1PESide A, Runout
STRAY 2 B // 5 ▽E TO 1 2 BILBO.TA1PESide B, Runout
204019 A-1 /81 S II Ⅴ Made in GermanyRunout side A
204019 B-1 /81 S II Ⅳ Made in GermanyRunout side B
S 204 019 ALabel side A
S 204 019 BLabel side B
204019 A-1 / 81 S IISide A runout, variant 1
204019 B-1 / 81 S IISide B runout, variant 1
204019 A-1 / 81 S II III Made in GermanySide A runout, stamped, [etched: III], variant 2
204019 B-1 / 81 S II V Made in GermanySide B runout, stamped, [etched: V], variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Arista L-37677First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Finland | Arista STRAY 2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Arista 204 019First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Arista 204 019First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Arista 204 019First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Ireland | Arista STRAY 2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Israel | Arista BAN 170002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Arista ARS 39130First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Arista 25RS-143First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Arista 25RS-143First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Arista 204 019First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Arista 204 019First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Arista SBLL6142First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Portugal | Arista 5204 019 / Arista STRAY 2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Arista 204 019 / Arista 204019First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Arista 204 019LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Germany | Arista 204 019LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Arista 204 019LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Germany | Arista 204 019LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of Gonna Ball are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, Finland, France and more. One of them is Arista STRAY 2, released November 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STRAY 2, L-37677, 204 019, BAN 170002) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STRAY 2 A//9▽EP 11 4 and STRAY 2 B//8▽EP 111 3. 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.
