Vinyl pressings
by The Stylistics · 1974
Heavy was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 16 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.
AV69-4 A-1 MR △19378(1) MASTERDISK G. KONGRunout A variant 1
AV69-4 B-2 MR △19378-X(1) MASTERDISK G. KONGRunout B variant 1
AV69-4 A-1 MR △19378(1) MASTERDISK G. KONGRunout A variant 2
AV69-4 B-1 MR △19378-X(1) MASTERDISK G. KONGRunout B variant 2
AV69-4 A-3 MASTERDISK G. KONGSide A runout etched, except (MASTERDISK) stamped
AV69-4 B-3 MASTERDISK G. KONGSide B runout etched, except (MASTERDISK) stamped
AV69-4-ASide A label
AV69-4-BSide B label
AV 69-4 A-2 MASTERDISK G. KONGSide A Variant 1 runout etched, except (MASTERDISK) stamped
AV 69-4 B-2 MASTERDISK G. KONGSide B Variant 1 runout etched, except (MASTERDISK) stamped
AV 69-4 A-1 MASTERDISK G. KONGSide A Variant 2 runout etched, except (MASTERDISK) stamped
AV 69-4 B-1 MASTERDISK G. KONGSide B Variant 2 runout etched, except (MASTERDISK) stamped
AV69-4 A-7-1-11 PR MASTERDISK G. KONGSide A etched (MASTERDISK stamped)
AV69-4 B-7-1-1 PR MASTERDISK G. KONGSide A etched (MASTERDISK stamped)
AV69-4-AMatrix A, on label
AV69-4-BMatrix B, on label
9109 002 1V//1∇420 05 12 18Side A stamped - Variant 1
9109 002 2V//1∇420 05 12 18Side B stamped - Variant 1
9109 002 1V//1∇420 05 11 4Side A stamped - Variant 2
9109 002 2V//1∇420 05 1 2 1Side B stamped - Variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia & New Zealand | Avco L-35390First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Brazil | Avco AV-69004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Avco AV 69004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Avco 88 529 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Greece | Avco AV 69004 / Avco AV-69004-698First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Italy | Avco AV-69004-698First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Jamaica | Avco AV-69004-698First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Avco SWX-6152First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Avco SWX-6152First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | AVCO Embassy L35390First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Philippines | Avco AVCO-5009-9First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Singapore | Avco AV-69004-698First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | South Africa | Avco AV-69004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Spain | Avco TXS 3022First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | Avco 9109 002First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of Heavy are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1974 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Australia & New Zealand, Brazil and more. One of them is Avco AV-69004-698, released November 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AV-69004-698, 9109 002, L-35390, AV-69004) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AV69-4 A-1 MR △19378(1) MASTERDISK G. KONG and AV69-4 B-2 MR △19378-X(1) MASTERDISK G. KONG. 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.
