Vinyl pressings
by The Sweet · 1973
Hell Raiser was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 19 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.
CGBS 1258 A1 4 2 ΛRunout, side A, stamped
CGBS 1259 B1 2 3 DRunout, side B, stamped
CGBS 1258Label, side A
CGBS 1259Label, side B
CGBS 1258-IERunout Side A
CGBS 1259-IERunout Side B
CGBS 1258Label Side A
CGBS 1259Label Side B
CGBS 1258 A1Runout side A - stamped
CGBS 1259 B1Runout side B - stamped
CGBS 1258Label side A
CGBS 1259Label side B
CGBS 1258 A1Runout Side A
CGBS 1259 B1Runout Side B
CGBS 1258Label Side A
CGBS 1259Label Side B
CGBS 1258 A1 <Runout Side A
CGBS 1259 B1 <Runout Side B
CGBS 1258Label Side A
CGBS 1259Label Side B
CGBS 1258-A1Runout A, stamped, variant 1
CGBS 1259-B1Runout B, stamped, variant 1
CGBS 1258 A1 1 1 ΛRunout A, stamped, variant 2
CGBS 1259 B1 2 3 ΛRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Argentina | RCA Victor 31A-2296First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Australia | RCA Victor 102284First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Brazil | RCA Victor 101.7032First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-16 322 / RCA 74-16 322First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-16 322 / RCA 74-16 322First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Greece | RCA Victor 46 G 159First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Ireland | RCA RCA 2357First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Ireland | RCA RCA 2357First year7", Stereo | 7", Stereo |
| 1973 | Israel | RCA 2357First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | Italy | RCA RCA 2357First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | RCA SS-2290First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | RCA SS-2290First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | RCA Victor 74-16322 / RCA 74-16322First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 60631First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | Portugal | RCA Victor 20120First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor 26.11045 / RCA Victor 74-16 3227", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
34 vinyl pressings of Hell Raiser are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1973 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, Yugoslavia, France, Argentina and more. One of them is RCA Victor RCA 2357, released April 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RCA 2357, SRCA-88671, 41095, 31A-2296) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CGBS 1258 A1 4 2 Λ and CGBS 1259 B1 2 3 D. 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.
