Vinyl pressings
by The Sweet · 1974
Ballroom Blitz 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.
7 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 2 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.
91954 4055 F4 #2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side A runout
91997 4055 F1 #9 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wly 0Side B runout
S45-X91954Side A label
S45-X91997Side B label
S45-91954-F-3Side A runout, etched
S45-91997-F-3Side B runout, etched
5X41954Side A label matrix
5X91997Side B label matrix
Wly S45-91954-F2 —◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout A-side, etched/stamped
Wly S45-91997-F2 —◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout B-side, etched/stamped
S45-X91954Label A-side
S45-X91997Label B-side
91954 4055 F1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side A runout
91997 4055 F1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wly 0Side B runout
S45-X91954Side A label
S45-X91997Side B label
S45-91954-F2 #3 —◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WlyRunout A-side, etched/stamped, Variant 1
S45-91997-F2 #2 —◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WlyRunout B-side, etched/stamped, Variant 1
S45-91954-F2 #3 —◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WlyRunout A-side, etched/stamped, Variant 2
S45-91997-F2 #3 —◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WlyRunout B-side, etched/stamped, Variant 2
PRO-8105-F-1- 1 ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WlyRunout A
SPRO-8106-F-1- 1 ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WlyRunout B
PRO-806Label A
SPRO-8106Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Guatemala | Capitol Records 4055First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Capitol Records 4055First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Capitol Records P-4055First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1974 | US | Capitol Records 4055First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Capitol Records 4055First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Capitol Records 4055First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Capitol Records 4055First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Canada | Capitol Records 40557", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Canada | Capitol Records 40557", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Capitol Records 40557", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Capitol Records 40557", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Capitol Records 40557", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Capitol Records 40557", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Capitol Records 40557", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records 40557", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of Ballroom Blitz are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Guatemala. One of them is Capitol Records 4055.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4055, P-4055) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 91954 4055 F4 #2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0 and 91997 4055 F1 #9 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wly 0. 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.
