Vinyl pressings
by The Rolling Stones · 1981
Start Me Up 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.
42 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 24 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.
STRS-40243-2 MASTERDISK RL 1-2 SM 1-1 SPVariant 1, runout side A
STRS-40244-1 SRCVariant 1, runout side B
STRS-40243-2 MASTERDISK RL 1-3 SM1-1 SPVariant 2, runout side A
STRS-40244-1 SRC 1-3Variant 2, runout side B
STRS-40243-2 Masterdisk RL -3 - SRSide A , Etched (Masterdisk is stamped)
STRS-40244-1Side B, Etched also letter S on its side with C and R inside each curve
ST-RS-40243-ARLabel Side A
ST-RS-40244-ARLabel Side B
STPR-40243-1 SRC MASTERDISK 1-1SM-1Side 1
STPR-40243-1 SRC MASTERDISK 1-1SM-2Side 2
RS-40243-1 SRC 1-1Runout A
STRS-40243-2 MASTERDISK RL 1-2 SPRunout B
RS-40243-SPLabel A
ST-RS-40243-SPLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | EMI RSR 108First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | Rolling Stones Records RSR 557First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Australia | Rolling Stones Records RSR-557First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Bolivia | EMI International BO-1338First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Brazil | Pathé Marconi EMI 31C 006 64545First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Rolling Stones Records RS 21003First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Rolling Stones Records RS 21003First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | Rolling Stones Records RS 21003First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Rolling Stones Records RS 21003First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Chile | EMI 32C 006-64545 / EMI 1647First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ecuador | Rolling Stones Records 1030209First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ecuador | EMI International 103-0209First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Europe | Rolling Stones Records 1C 006-64 545 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-64 545First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Rolling Stones Records 2C 008-64545 / Rolling Stones Records 2C 008-64.545First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Rolling Stones Records 2C 008-64545First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | France | Virgin Music France 5857390 / Universal Music France 58573907", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Reissue, Remastered, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Reissue, Remastered, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Rolling Stones Records GS 458347", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Rolling Stones Records RS 132377", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo |
46 vinyl pressings of Start Me Up are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1981 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Ireland, Japan and more. One of them is Rolling Stones Records RS 21003, released August 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RS 21003, PR 397, RSR 108, ESS-17164) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STRS-40243-2 MASTERDISK RL 1-2 SM 1-1 SP and STRS-40244-1 SRC. 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.
