Vinyl pressings
by The Motels · 1985
Shock was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 18 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.
SJ-1-12378-Z7 #2 MASTERDISK 0Side A runout, variant 1
SJ-2-12378-Z5 MASTERDISK HW 0Side B runout, variant 1
SJ-1-12378-Z7Side A runout, variant 2
SJ-2-12378-Z7Side B runout, variant 2
SJ1-12378-1A G1 A8Side 1
SJ2-12378-1A G1 A2Side 2
Side 1 ST 240391 A
Side 2 ST 240391 B
DM-1 SJ-12378-A-1B-2HZ:Side A runout
DM-11 SJ-12378-B-1A-2HZ:Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | EMI 8333First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Australia | Capitol Records ST-240394First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Australia | Capitol Records ST-240394First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C 064240394 / Capitol Records 31C 064 240394First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Capitol Records SJ-12378First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Canada | Capitol Records SJ-512378LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Colombia | Capitol Records 111017First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Capitol Records 1A 064-24 0394 1 / Capitol Records 064 24 0394 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | France | Capitol Records 2403941First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | France | Capitol Records 240394LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Greece | Capitol Records 062-24 03941First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | Capitol Records 64 2403941First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-81717First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Mexico | Capitol Records SLEM-1325First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Capitol Records ST 12378First yearLP | LP |
24 vinyl pressings of Shock are listed here, from 18 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Argentina, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Capitol Records SJ-12378.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SJ-12378, SJ 512378, 8333, ST-240394) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SJ-1-12378-Z7 #2 MASTERDISK 0 and SJ-2-12378-Z5 MASTERDISK HW 0. 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.
