Vinyl pressings
by The S.O.S. Band · 1980
S.O.S. was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 17 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.
PAL-36332-1AA Side Etchings (Variant 1)
PBL-36332-1BB Side Etchings (Variant 1)
PAL-36332-1GA Side Etchings (Variant 2)
PBL-36332-1CB Side Etchings (Variant 2)
PAL-36332-1KRunout A
PBL-36332-1CRunout B
PAL-36332-1GRunout A Variant 1
PBL-36332-1DRunout B Variant 1
PAL-36332-1K TML-MA Side Matrix
PBL-36332-1H -SB Side Matrix
AL 36332A Side Label
BL 36332B Side Label
PAL-36332 - G1A B1 (HXAP) PSide A Runout
PBL-36332 o - G1A C2 (HXAP) PSide B Runout
AL 36332Side A Label
BL 36332Side B Label
P PAL-36332-1G TML-MEtched side A, except P & TML-M stamped
P PBL-36332-1D TML-MEtched side B, except P & TML-M stamped
PAL-36332-1F TML S D o T ISide A Runout
PBL-36332-1F TML-M [?]7 o T ISide B Runout
AL 36332A Side Label
BL 36332B Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | Epic 47.234First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Australia | Tabu Records ELPS 4099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | CBS 138203 / CBS 138.203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Colombia | Epic 19273First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Europe | Tabu Records 84445 / Tabu Records TAB 84445First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | Epic TAB 84445 / Tabu Records TAB 84445First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony 25AP1911First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Tabu Records 84445First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1911First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1911First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Mexico | Epic LNS-17320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Tabu Records ELPS 4099 / Epic ELPS 4099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | Tabu Records ASF 2540First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Tabu Records TAB 84445First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Tabu Records TBU 32541 / Tabu Records 32541First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Tabu Records TBU 32541LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Singapore & Malaysia | CBS/Sony 25AP 1911LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Tabu Records JZ 36332LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
30 vinyl pressings of S.O.S. are listed here, from 18 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Canada, Italy and more. One of them is Tabu Records NJZ 36332.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NJZ 36332, JZ 36332, PZ 36332, TBU 32541) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL-36332-1A and PBL-36332-1B. 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.
