Vinyl pressings
by The dB's · 1981
Stands For Decibels 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.
11 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 9 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.
ALB 105-A1 A Porky Prime Cut DAMONT (upside down) Forget HellSide A (Etched)
ALB 105-B1 A Porky Prime Cut DAMONT (upside down) Stay awake ♡Side B (Etched)
ALB 105-A1 A PORKY PRIME CUT. DAMONT FORGET HELL.Side A Runout Etching
ALB 105-B1 A PORKY PRIME CUT. DAMONT STAY AWAKE. ♥KSide B Runout Etching
A PORKY PRIME CUT MPO ALB 105-A1Side 1 Etched
MPO ALB 105-B1 A PORKYSide 2 Etched
LIB 5003A APSide A runout
LIB 5003B APSide B runout
LIB-5003ASide A label
LIB-5003BSide B label
[AGI logo] 81-2 20187 5 ASide A runout, stamped
[AGI logo] 81-2 201875 BSide B runout, stamped
203382 A-1/81S l Made in GermanySide A, stamped
203382 B-1/81S l Made in GermanySide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | France | Albion Records 201875 / Virgin 201875First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Albion Records 203 382 / Ariola 203 382First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Albion Records LP 3330First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Japan | Victor VIP-6775First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Ariola 203 382 / Albion Records 203 382First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Liberation Records LIB 5003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Albion Records ALB 105First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Albion Records ALB 105First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Albion Records ALB 105First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | Liberation Records LIB 5003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Albion Records ALB 105First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | Albion Records ALLP 4.00009 / Line ALLP 4.00009 JLP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1985 | Germany | Albion Records ALLP 4.00009 J / Line Music GmbH 941.650LP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | US | Propeller Sound Recordings PSR 018LP, Album, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | US | Propeller Sound Recordings PSR 018LP, Album, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | US | Propeller Sound Recordings PSR 018LP, Album, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | US | Propeller Sound Recordings PSR 018LP, Album, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
17 vinyl pressings of Stands For Decibels are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1981 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is Albion Records ALB 105, released January 15, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ALB 105, LIB 5003, 201875, 203 382) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ALB 105-A1 A Porky Prime Cut DAMONT (upside down) Forget Hell and ALB 105-B1 A Porky Prime Cut DAMONT (upside down) Stay awake ♡. 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.
