Vinyl pressings
by The Clash · 1981
Radio Clash was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 11 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.
CBS-A-1797-A1 ƱTOPIA 9 ARunout A, variant 1
CBS-A-1797-B1 ƱTOPIA 11 ARunout B, variant 1
CBS-A-1797-A1 ƱTOPIA 33 ARunout A, variant 2
CBS-A-1797-B1 ƱTOPIA 20 ARunout B, variant 2
XSM168889-2B COLUMBIA NY PLEASE SAVE US...A Runout - Variant 1
XSM168890-2B COLUMBIA NY ...NOT THE WHALESB Runout - Variant 1
XSM168889-2C COLUMBIA NY PLEASE SAVE USA Runout - Variant 2
XSM169990-2D / COLUMBIA NY NOT THE WHALESB Runout - Variant 2
XSM1F68889-2C 0 COLUMBIA NYSide A, Stamped
XSM168890-2D COLUMBIA NY VSide B, Stamped
1T PLEASE SAVE US...Side A, Etched, Also Includes Unidentified Signature
1T ...NOT THE WHALES 2Side B, Etched
XSM168890-A̶1̶ 2H MASTERDISK RL PLEASE SAVE US...Side A runout, variant 1
PO XSM168889-2B o COLUMBIA NY D RL 1B-RE-2 NOT THE WHALESSide B runout, variant 1
XSM168889-A̶1̶ 2H RL MASTERDISK RE-2Side A runout, variant 2
XSM168890-2G COLUMBIA NYSide B runout, variant 2
XSM168889-2B COLUMBIA NY P OSide A, Stamped
B4 PLEASE SAVE US…√∆NOSSide A, Etched
(FXAP) XSM 168890- G2A D GI A3Side B, Etched; D stamped
XSM 168889Side A Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Epic ES 700First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia & New Zealand | Epic ES 700First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS CBSA 12.1797 / CBS CBS A-12.1797First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS CBSA 1797 / CBS A-1797First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | CBS CBS A-1797First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Italy | CBS A1797 / CBS CBS A 1797First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Japan | Epic 07・5P-164First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Japan | Epic 07・5P-164First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Spain | CBS CBS A-1797First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Spain | CBS CBS A 1797First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Epic 49-02662First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Epic 49-02662First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Epic 49-02662First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | US | Epic 49-02662First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Epic 49-02662First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Epic 49-0266212", 33 ⅓ RPM, Repress | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Repress |
26 vinyl pressings of Radio Clash are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1981 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Europe, Canada and more. One of them is CBS A1797, released November 20, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use A1797, A 1797, 49-02662, CBS A1797) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CBS-A-1797-A1 ƱTOPIA 9 A and CBS-A-1797-B1 ƱTOPIA 11 A. 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.
