Vinyl pressings
by The Allman Brothers Band · 1980
Reach For The Sky 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.
27 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 17 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.
AL-9535-SA-1B SX B STERLINGSide A, variant 1
AL-9535-8B-1B SX A STERLINGSide B, variant 1
AL-9535-SA-1B A 2 STERLING ISSide A, variant 3
AL-9535-SB-1A A 6 STERLING I SSide B, variant 3
2S AL-9535-SA-1A SXT A STERLINGVar. 1: Side A runout
0 T1 AL-9535-SB-CTH-1 S STERLINGVar. 1: Side B runout
AL-9535-SA-1B SXT STERLING I SVar. 2: Side A runout
AL-9535-SB-1A SXT STERLING I SVar. 2: Side B runout
AL-9535-SA STERLING HUBSide A etched Sterling stamped
AL-9535-SB STERLING HUBSide B etched Sterling stamped
AL 9535 SAIn parentheses on label A
AL 9535 SBIn parentheses on label B
AL-9535-SA A-1 ◅ STERLINGRunout side A, etched (STERLING is stamped).
AL-9535-SB A-1 ◅ STERLINGRunout side B, etched (STERLING is stamped).
AL-9535-SA A-1 ◅ STERLINGRunout side A, etched (STERLING
AL-9535-SB A-3 ◅ STERLINGRunout side B, etched (STERLING
AL-9535-SA-0 MR 24806 (8) STERLINGRunout Side A
AL-9535-SB+ MR 24806X (6) STERLINGRunout Side B
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 AL 37442First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Brazil | Arista 202 843First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista AL 9535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista AL 509535LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1980 | Europe | Arista 202 843First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | Arista 202 843 / Arista 202.843First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Arista 202 843First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | Arista 6483 252First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | Arista 6483 252First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1980 | Italy | Arista ARS 39073First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Arista 25RS-101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Arista 25RS-101First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Mexico | Arista 202.245 / Arista LA-300First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Arista 202.843 / Arista AL 202.843First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Arista AL 9535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP650 / Arista MOVLP650LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2014 | US | Friday Music FRM-9535 / Arista 9535LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Arista AL 9535LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
33 vinyl pressings of Reach For The Sky are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1980 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Arista AL 9535, released August 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 9535, SPART 1146, AL 37442, 202 843) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-9535-SA-1B SX B STERLING and AL-9535-8B-1B SX A 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.
