Vinyl pressings
by The Sinceros · 1979
The Sound Of Sunbathing was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. 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 1979, 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.
EPC-S-83632 - A1Side A Runout, etched. Variation 1
EPC-S-83632 - B1Side B Runout, etched. Variation 1
EPC-S-83632 - A2Side A Runout, etched. Variation 2
EPC-S-83632 - B2Side B Runout, etched. Variation 2
EPC-S-83632 - A1 > >Side A Runout, etched: text is inverted
EPC-S-83632 - B1 > >Side B Runout, etched: text is inverted
PAL-36134-C1Side A [Etched]
PBL-36134-C1Side B [Etched]
TML-SBoth Sides [Stamped]
S1 PAL-36134-1B TML-M B2Runout A
S1 PBL-36134-1A TML-M-X B1Runout B
AL 36134Label A
BL 36134Label B
T1 PAL-36134-1E TML-MSide 1 (etched except for "TML-M")
0 T1 PBL-36134-1E TML-MSide 2 (etched except for "TML-M")
AL 36134Side 1 label
BL 36134Side 2 label
S1 PAL-36134-1B TML-M A2Side A
S1 PBL-36134-1A TML-M-X B1Side B
AL 36134Side A label
BL 36134Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4004First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Europe | Epic EPC 83632First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Epic ELPS 4004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | South Africa | Epic KSF 2400First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Epic EPC 83632 / Epic S EPC 83632First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Epic EPC 83632First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 36134First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 36134First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 36134 / Columbia 36134First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 36134 / Columbia 36134First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Columbia JC 36134First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of The Sound Of Sunbathing are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Epic EPC 83632.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EPC 83632, JC 36134, ELPS 4004, KSF 2400) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EPC-S-83632 - A1 and EPC-S-83632 - B1. 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.
