Vinyl pressings
by Sugar Cane · 1978
Montego Bay was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 1978, the album's first year, in 12 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.
15764 A-1/78S Made in GermanyRunout side A
15764 B-1/78S Made in GermanyRunout side B
S 15 764 BLabel side B
S 15 764 ALabel side A
15764 A-1/78S Made in GermanyRunout groove side A, stamped
15764 B-1/78S Made in GermanyRunout groove side B, stamped
S 15 764 ALabel side A
S 15 764 BLabel side B
AHAD 524/12 A1 △TSide A runout
AHAD 524/12 B1 △TSide B runout
†AHAD 524-A†Side A label
†AHAD 524-B†Side B label
1S PRO-7716-AS-Long 1A AZ ASide A runout area
PRO-7716-AS-SHORT-SM-1 AZ ASide B runout area
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | RCA Victor 103247First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | France | Sonopresse 2S 008 61 801First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | Sonopresse 2S 008 61 801 / Sonopresse 2S 008 - 61.801First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Hansa 15 764 AT / Hansa International 15 764 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Hansa International 15 764 AT / Hansa 15 764 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Italy | Dig-It International Records DG 1182First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Jamaica | Ariola America 7716First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Japan | Hansa VIP-2684First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | Japan | Hansa VIP-2684First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 103247First year7" | 7" |
| 1978 | Rhodesia | Gallo PD 1623First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | Spain | Ariola 100 152 AFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Ariola Hansa AHAD 524/12 / Ariola Hansa AHAD 524-12First year12", Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1978 | UK | Ariola Hansa AHA 524First year7" | 7" |
| 1978 | UK | Ariola Hansa AHA 524First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
21 vinyl pressings of Montego Bay are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Germany, UK, US, South Africa and more. One of them is Hansa 15 764 AT.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 15 764 AT, AHAD 524/12, AHA 524, PRO 7716) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 15764 A-1/78S Made in Germany and 15764 B-1/78S Made in Germany. 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.
