Vinyl pressings
by Switch · 1978
Switch 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.
10 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 5 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.
G7-980RIA-Re-1-1̵8̵C̵ 13C PBJSide A runout, variant 1
G7-980RIB_Re-1-1̵8̵B̵ 13B PBJSide B runout, variant 1
G7-980RIA-Re-1-1̵8̵C̵ 13C PBJSide A runout, variant 2
G7-980RIB-Re-1-1̵8̵A̶ 13A PBJSide B runout, variant 2
G7-980R1A-RE-1- ̷ ̷1̷8̷D̷ 12DSide A runout
G7-980R1B-RE-1- ̷1̷8̷A̷ 12ASide B runout
G7-980R1ASide A Label
G7-980R1BSide B Label
G7-980R1A-Re-1-18CSide A
G7-980R1B-Re-1-18ASide B
G7-980R1ASide A Label
G7-980R1BSide B Label
G7-980R1ASide One Label
G7-980R1BSide Two Label
G7-980R1A-Re-1-18CSide One
G7-980R1B-Re-1-18ASide Two
S2 G7-980[?]A REI - /AEtched
S1 G7-980[?]B REI - /AEtched
G7-980R1ALabel
G7-980R1B
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 | Motown G7-980R1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Gordy G7-980R1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Gordy G7-980R1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Motown STML 12096 / Motown 0C 062-61 518First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Gordy G7-980R1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Gordy G7-980R1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Gordy G7-980R1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Gordy G7-980R1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Gordy G7 980R1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Venezuela | Gordy LPS 99.072First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Gordy G7-980R1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Gordy VIP-6618LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Gordy VIP-6618LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
13 vinyl pressings of Switch are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Gordy G7-980R1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use G7-980R1, G7 980R1, STML 12096, LPS 99.072) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, G7-980RIA-Re-1-1̵8̵C̵ 13C PBJ and G7-980RIB_Re-1-1̵8̵B̵ 13B PBJ. 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.
