Vinyl pressings
by The Moody Blues · 1981
The Voice 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.
20 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 12 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.
MASTERDISK Hw TR-602-2-56397-PRC-C-1-1-1 PRC-C Thanks PeteA Runout
MASTERDISK Hw TR-602-2-56402-PRC-C-1-1-1 PRC-C -B-B Runout
2-56397A Label
2-56402B Label
TR•602• 2•56397 - PRC-R-2-1-1 Thanks Pete ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ HwRun-out A etched, (ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ stamp
TR•602•2•56402-PRC-R-1-11-1 ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ HwRun-out B etched, (ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ stamp
2-56397Label A
2-56402Label B
MASTERDISK Hw TR-602-2-56397-BW EDP UA Thanks PeteA-Side Runout Etching
MASTERDISK Hw TR-602-2-56402-BW EDPB-Side Runout Etching
2-56397A-Side Label
2-56402B-Side Label
MASTERDISK Hw TR-602-2-56397-PRC-R1-1-1 SThanks PeteA-Side runout etched, except MASTERDISK stamped
MASTERDISK Hw TR-602-2-56402-PRC-R-2-1-1B-Side runout etched, except MASTERDISK stamped
2-56397A-Side Label
2-56402B-Side Label
MASTERDISK Hw TR-602-2-56397-PRC-C-1-1-1 PRC-C Thanks PeteRunout Etchings (Both Sides)
2-56397Labels
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 | Threshold TH 28First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Threshold TR 602First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Europe | Threshold TH33First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Europe | Threshold THX 33 / Threshold 810 117 1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Greece | Threshold DS 1300First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Japan | Threshold S07P 1003First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Japan | Threshold S07P 1003First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Threshold 6198 487First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Decca 6198 487First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Threshold TH28First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Portugal | Threshold 1PTH - 28First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | South Africa | Threshold TOS 1339First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Spain | Threshold 61 98 487First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Threshold TR 602First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1981 | US | Threshold TR 602First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Threshold 5N-850347", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of The Voice are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1981 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Threshold TR 602, released July 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TR 602, 5N8 5034, TR 602 DJ, TH 28) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MASTERDISK Hw TR-602-2-56397-PRC-C-1-1-1 PRC-C Thanks Pete and MASTERDISK Hw TR-602-2-56402-PRC-C-1-1-1 PRC-C -B-. 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.
