Vinyl pressings
by The Alan Parsons Project · 1982
Psychobabble was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 3 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.
TI AS 1029 SA ED CT-1 [STERLING]Runout side A, etched [stamped]
T AS 1029 SB CT-1 TII [STERLING]Runout side B, etched [stamped]
AS 1029-SAEDLabel side A
AS 1029-SBLabel side B
AS 1029 SA ED SH 1 R-10297-SH1 SAED /_\ 3053 X SLM [STERLING]Runout side A, etched [stamped]
AS 1029 SB SH 1 R-10299-SB-SH1 /_\ 3054-X SLM [STERLING]Runout side B, etched [stamped]
AS 1029-SAEDLabel side A
AS 1029-SBLabel side B
AS 1029 SA ED CT 2 TI STERLINGRun-out A edited, etched (STERLING stamp)
AS 1029 SA L CT 2 TI STERLINGRun-out B album, etched (STERLING stamp)
AS 1029-SAEDA-Side Label
AS 1029-SALB-Side Label
AS 1029 SAED SHI ɑ R-10297 SH1-SAED Δ3053 + SLMRunout Side A (Etched)
STERLINGRunout Side A (Stamped)
AS 1029 SAL SHI ɑ R-10298 SAL-SHI Δ3054 + SLMRunout Side B (Etched)
STERLINGRunout Side B (Stamped)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Mexico | Arista S-788First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Spain | Arista B-104 633 / Arista B-104.633First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Spain | Arista 0301First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Arista AS 1029First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1982 | US | Arista AS 1029First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | US | Arista AS 1029First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Arista AS 1029First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Arista AS 1029First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Europe | Arista 105 088 / Arista 105 088-1007", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | South Africa | Arista AAJ 11437", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
10 vinyl pressings of Psychobabble are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1982 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, Spain, Mexico. One of them is Arista AS 1029.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AS 1029, B-104 633, S-788, 0301) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TI AS 1029 SA ED CT-1 [STERLING] and T AS 1029 SB CT-1 TII [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.
