Vinyl pressings
by The Routers · 1963
Sting Ray / Snap Happy was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1963, 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.
E-12998-1A.Stamped Side A (Variant 1)
E-12993-1B.Stamped Side B (Variant 1)
. E-12998-1B .A-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
. E-12993-1B .B-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
E-12998-1C T1.Stamped Side A
E-12993-1C T111Stamped Side B
E-12998 HHHHRunout side A, variant 1
E-12993 HRunout side B, variant 1
E-12998 HHHRunout side A, variant 2
E-12993 HHHHRunout side B, variant 2
E-12993
E-12998
3-7 WB/F 1436Side A Label
3-7 WB/F 1437Side B Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Argentina | Warner Bros. Discos 5594First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 5349First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 5349First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records A 5349First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Greece | Warner Bros. Records 5349First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records 5349First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Norway | Warner Bros. Records 5349First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | UK | Warner Bros. Records WB 97First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Warner Bros. Records 5349First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1963 | US | Warner Bros. Records 5349First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1963 | US | Warner Bros. Records 5349First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1963 | US | Warner Bros. Records 5349First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
12 vinyl pressings of Sting Ray / Snap Happy are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 5349.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5349, WB 97, 5594, A 5349) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, E-12998-1A. and E-12993-1B.. 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.
