Vinyl pressings
by The Alan Parsons Project · 1980
Time was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1980, 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.
STERLING TI AS 0598-SA TIRunout Side A
STERLING TI AS 0598-SB TIRunout Side B
AS 0598-SALabel Side A
AS 0598-SBLabel Side B
AS 0598 SA P1 p STERLINGA side etched - Sterling & p stamped, variant 1
AS 0598 SB p STERLINGB side etched - Sterling & p stamped, variant 1
AS 0598 SA P2 STERLINGA side etched - Sterling stamped, variant 2
AS 0598 SB P1 STERLINGB side etched - Sterling stamped, variant 2
AS0598-SAA Side Label
AS0598-SBB Side Label
SMX57917 P2A 4:24A side etched
SMX57917 P2A 4:05B side etched
AS 0598A-Side Label
AS 0598B-Side Label
AS 0598-MALabels
AS 0598 MA P1 STERLINGRunout A
AS 0598 SA P2 STERLINGRunout B
AS 0598-MALabels
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Arista K 8310First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Barbados | Arista AS0598First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista ASO 598First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista ASO 598First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Japan | Arista 7RS-26First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Arista 7RS-26First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Arista ATA 598First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Arista ARI 8103First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | Arista AS 0598First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | US | Arista AS 0598First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1980 | US | Arista AS0598First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | US | Arista AS 0598First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | US | Arista AS 0598First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1980 | US | Arista AS 0598First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1981 | Brazil | Arista 103 2927", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of Time are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Australia, Barbados, Canada and more. One of them is Arista AS 0598, released April 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AS 0598, AS0598, K 8310, ASO 598) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STERLING TI AS 0598-SA TI and STERLING TI AS 0598-SB TI. 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.
