Vinyl pressings
by The S.O.S. Band · 1982
S.O.S. III was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 6 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-38352 1D T1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallySide 1 Runout, variant 1
PBL-38352 1C A13 T1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallySide 2 Runout, variant 1
PAL-38352 1C MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally T1Side 1 Runout, variant 2
PBL-38352 1D MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally D10 T1Side 2 Runout, variant 2
PAL-38352 1FRunout side A, variant 1
PBL-38352 XG 1HRunout side B, variant 1
PAL-38352 1B Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side A, variant 2
PBL-38352 1A Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side B, variant 2
P 0 PAL-38352 1A MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally ARunout side A, variant 1
P 00 PBL-38352 1A MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRunout side B, variant 1
P 0 PAL-38352 1B MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally BRunout side A, variant 2
P 0 PBL-38352 1H MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally ARunout side B, variant 2
TBU 25078 A1
TBU 25078 B1
TBU 25078 A1 Λ
TBU 25078 B1 Λ
PAL-38352 1MRunout, Side A - Etched
PBL-38352 1KRunout, Side B - Etched
NL 01_25078_2A_1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally ARunout, Side A - Stamped
NL 01_25078_1B_1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally ARunout, Side B - Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2484First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2484First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Tabu Records TAB 25078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | UK | Tabu Records TBU 25078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | UK | Tabu Records TBU 25078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Tabu Records FZ 38352First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Tabu Records FZ 38352First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | Tabu Records TAB 25078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Tabu Records FZ 38352First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Canada | Tabu Records FZ 38352First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UK | Tabu Records TABULP003LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of S.O.S. III are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1982 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Europe, Canada and more. One of them is Tabu Records FZ 38352, released October 9, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FZ 38352, TBU 25078, TAB 25078, 25AP 2484) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL-38352 1D T1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally and PBL-38352 1C A13 T1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally. 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.
