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.
11 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 7 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.
ZS 9-5526-3 AD TML-XRunout side A, etched, except [TML-X] stamped
ZS 9-5526-4 AC TML-SRunout side B, etched, except [TML-S] stamped
ZS9 5526-3 AA-AFLabel side-A
ZS9 5526-4 AA-AFLabel side-B
ZS 9-5526-3 AA TML-M SRunout side A
ZS-9-5526-4 AB TML-M SSRunout side B
ZS9 5526-3 AA-AFLabel side-A
ZS9 5526-4 AA-AFLabel side-B
XSS 167514 1CRun-out A-side [etched]
XSS-167515 1CRun-out B-side [etched]
TML-SRun-out both sides [machine-stamp]
XSS 167514Label A-side
ZS9-5526-3 AD TMI-X
TBUS-9056-A1 timtom ΛRunout side-A
TBU-S-9056-B1 ΛRunout side-B
S TBU 9056 A*Label side-A
S TBU 9056 B*Label side-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Tabu Records ZS9 5526First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Europe | Tabu Records TAB 9056First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Mexico | Epic SCL-45,024First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Tabu Records TAB 12.9056First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Epic ES 530First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Tabu Records S TBU 9056First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Tabu Records AS 848First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Tabu Records ZS9 5526First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Tabu Records ZS9 5526First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1980 | US | Tabu Records ZS9 5526First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Tabu Records S TBU 9056First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
11 vinyl pressings of S.O.S. are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Tabu Records ZS9 5526.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZS9 5526, AS 848, S TBU 9056, TAB 9056) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZS 9-5526-3 AD TML-X and ZS 9-5526-4 AC TML-S. 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.
