Vinyl pressings
by The Grateful Dead · 1981
Dead Set 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.
18 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 8 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.
A2L-8606-SA Masterfonics PRunout A variant 1
A2L-8606-SB Masterfonics PRunout B variant 1
A2L-8606-SC-X Masterfonics PRunout C variant 1
A2L-8606-SD Masterfonics PRunout D variant 1
A2L-8606-SASide A runout etched
A2L-8606-SBSide B runout etched
A2L-8606-SCSide C runout etched
A2L-8606-SDSide D runout etched
A2L8606-SA Masterfonics A-1 (Hauppauge pennant]Side A runout
A2L-8606-SBSide B runout etched
A2L-8606-SCSide C runout etched
A2L-8606-SDSide D runout etched
S1 A2L-8606-SA 1A Masterfonics B4Runout A variant 1
S1 A2L-8606-SB 1B Masterfonics B2Runout B variant 1
S1 A2L-8606-SC 1A Masterfonics A3Runout C variant 1
S1 A2L-8606-SD 1A Masterfonics A11Runout D variant 1
T1 A2L-8606-SA-CT2 MasterfonicsRunout A
T1 A2L-8606-SB-CT4 MasterfonicsRunout B
1T A2L-8606-SC-CT4 MasterfonicsRunout C
T1 A2L-8606-SD-CT3 MasterfonicsRunout D
AL9-8112-SA-1 Masterfonics ISide A Runout, variant 1
AL9-8112SB-1 Masterfonics ISide B Runout, variant 1
AL9-8112-C-1 Masterfonics ISide C Runout, variant 1
AL9-8112SD-1 Masterfonics ISide D Runout, variant 1
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 | Arista L 70195/6First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Australia | Arista L 70195/6LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | France & Benelux | Arista 301 738 / Arista 301 738-406LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Arista A2L 8606First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | Arista XD-301738 / Arista XD-301738First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Arista XD-301738First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Arista AL9-8112 / Arista AL 9-8112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Arista A2L 8606First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Arista A2L 8606LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1981 | US | Arista A2L 8606First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Arista A2L 8606First yearLP, Misprint | LP, Misprint |
| 1981 | Canada | Arista A2L-8606First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Arista A2L 8606LP, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | Japan | Arista 18RS-52 53First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Japan | Arista 18RS-52 53First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | US | Friday Music FRM 8606LP, Album, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | UK & Europe | Rhino Records R1 516264 / Rhino Records 603497828463LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2024 | US | Rhino Records R1 516264 / Rhino Records 603497828463LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2024 | US | Rhino Records R1 516264 / Rhino Records 603497828463LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Arista AL9-8112LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Arista AL9-8112LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | Europe | Arista 301 738LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Arista 301 738 / Arista 301 738-406LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Arista 301 738 / Arista 301 738-406LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Arista AL9-8112LP, Album, Club Edition, Misprint · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Misprint · Club edition |
39 vinyl pressings of Dead Set are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1981 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Arista A2L 8606, released August 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use A2L 8606, AL9-8112, DARTY 11, A2L-8606) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A2L-8606-SA Masterfonics P and A2L-8606-SB Masterfonics P. 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.
