Vinyl pressings
by The Cramps · 1979
Gravest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
SP-0501-A2 TH EW ▽24507A side runout, variant 1
SPØ501-BTI TH EW ▽24507-XB side runout, variant 1
SP - 051 - A1 TH EW SP - 0501 - A - T3 ▽24507A side runout, variant 2
SPØ501 - BTI TH EW ▽24507 - XB side runout, variant 2
SP-051-A1 TH EW SP-0501-AT1 ▽24507Side A - Variant 1
SP-0501-B TH EW ▽24507-XSide B - Variant 1
SP-0501-A2 TH EW SP-0501-A-T2 △ 24507Side A - Variant 2
SP-0501-B-T1 TH EW △ 24507-XSide B - Variant 2
TI SP-0501-A T5 B3Runout Side A, etched ('B' is lightly stamped) [variant 1]
IT SP-0501-B T6 B3Runout Side B, etched (second 'B' is lightly stamped) [variant 1]
TI SP-0501-A T5 A5Runout Side A, etched (second 'A' is lightly stamped) [variant 2]
IT SP-0501-B T6 C1Runout Side B, etched ('C' is lightly stamped) [variant 2]
ILS-12013-A1 VOODOO tone ASide A runout, variant 1
ILS-12013-B1 ASide B runout, variant 1
ILS-12013-A1 5 tone A VOODOOSide A runout, variant 2
ILS-12013-B1 6 ASide B runout, variant 2
ILS 12013 A₂ SECOND WIND. GG A PORKY PRIME CUT.Side A, hand-etched
ILS 12013 B₂ SECOND SURF. GG A PORKY PRIME CUT.Side B, hand-etched
ILS 12013 A2 SECOND WIND. GG A PORKY PRIME CUT.Side A
ILS 12013 B2 SECOND SURF. GG A PORKY PRIME CUT.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP 50112", 45 RPM, EP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Canada | I.R.S. Records SP 501First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1979 | UK | Illegal Records ILS 12013First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1979 | UK | Illegal Records ILS 12013First year12", 45 RPM, EP · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, EP · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Illegal Records ILS 12013First year12", 45 RPM, EP · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, EP · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Illegal Records ILS 12013First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1979 | US | Illegal Records SP 501 / Illegal Records SP-501First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1979 | US | Illegal Records SP 501 / I.R.S. Records SP-501First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1979 | US | Illegal Records SP 501 / Illegal Records SP-501First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1979 | UK | Illegal Records ILS 12013First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70501 / I.R.S. Records SP-50112", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Repress | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Repress |
| 1982 | US | I.R.S. Records SP70501 / I.R.S. Records SP-7050112", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | I.R.S. Records ILS 12013 / Illegal Records ILS 1201312", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | US | Drastic Plastic Records DPRLP-6912", EP, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", EP, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2016 | US | Drastic Plastic Records DPRLP6912", 45 RPM, EP, Numbered, Reissue · Numbered, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Numbered, Reissue · Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2016 | US | Drastic Plastic Records DPRLP69 / Illegal Records B0023100-0112", 45 RPM, EP, Numbered, Reissue · Numbered | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Numbered, Reissue · Numbered |
| 2016 | US | Drastic Plastic Records DPRLP94 / Illegal Records B0023100-0112", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | JLS JLS 6-502 610 / Illegal Records ILS 1201312", 45 RPM, EP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | I.R.S. Records SP-70501 / I.R.S. Records SP7050112", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue |
| ? | US | I.R.S. Records SP 501 / I.R.S. Records SP-50112", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Repress | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Repress |
20 vinyl pressings of Gravest Hits are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1978 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Illegal Records SP 501.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 501, ILS 12013) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP-0501-A2 TH EW ▽24507 and SPØ501-BTI TH EW ▽24507-X. 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.
