Vinyl pressings
by The Sweet · 1978
Level Headed was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
37 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 26 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.
XX xxxxxxx A//2 UT 11 11Variant 1: Runout A, stamped (X=Scratched out)
POLD 5001 A/2Variant 1: Runout A, etched
XX xxxxxxx B//1 UT 11 9Variant 1: Runout B, stamped (X=Scratched out)
POLD 5001 B/1Variant 1: Runout B, etched
2302077 A//1 UT 11 8 [Lyre symbol]Side A runout, stamped, [Lyre symbol] etched, variant 1
2302077 B//2 UT 11 5 [Lyre symbol]Side B runout, stamped, [Lyre symbol] etched, variant 1
2302077 A//2 UT 11 10 [lyra symbol]Side A runout, stamped, [Lyre symbol] etched, variant 2
2302077 B//1 UT 11 5 [lyra symbol]Side B runout, stamped, [Lyre symbol] etched, variant 2
SKAO (ST scratched out) 1-11744 F1 #2Side 1 etched
ST-2-11744 F5 #4Side 2 etched
MASTERED BY CAPITAL (stamped both sides)
ST-1-11744 F2 • MASTERED BY CAPITOL –––◁ KPSide A runout, variant 1
ST-2-11744 F2#2 • MASTERED BY CAPITOL –––◁ KPSide B runout, variant 1
ST-1-11744 F2 • MASTERED BY CAPITOL –––◁ KPSide A runout, variant 2
ST-2-11744 F2#4 • MASTERED BY CAPITOL –––◁ KPSide B runout, variant 2
SKAO S̶T̶-1-11744 F3• 3 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ KPRunout A, variant 1
SKAO S̶T̶-2-11744 F3• 3 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ KPRunout B, variant 1
SKAO - S̶T̶ -1-11744 F6• 1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ KPRunout A, variant 2
SKAO S̶T̶ -2-11744 F3• 1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ KPRunout B, variant 2
SKAO 1-11744 F1 #4 MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side A [Var. 1]
SKAO 2-11744 F7 .3 MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B [Var. 1]
SKAO S̶T̶-1-1744 F1 #4 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP 0Side A etched exc. MASTERED BY CAPITOL, 0, stamped [Var. 2]
SKAO S̶T̶-2-11744 F7 #2 I MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side B etched exc. MASTERED BY CAPITOL, 0, stamped [Var. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Austria | Polydor 2344 100First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Austria | Polydor 34 514LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1978 | Brazil | Polydor 2310 578First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Capitol Records SKAO-11744First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Colombia | Polydor 2310578First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Polydor 2310 578First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Polydor 2344 100-18 / Polydor 2344 100 18First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Polydor 2344 100First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Polydor 2344 100First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Polydor 34 198 2LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1978 | Greece | Polydor 2310 578First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Greece | Polydor 2310 578First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Greece | Polydor 2310 578First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Greece | Polydor 2310 578First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Greece | Polydor 2310 578LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Capitol Records SN-16117LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | South Korea | Polydor 2344 100 / Sung Eum Limited SEL-RG 803LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Europe | Repertoire Records REP 2234-SXLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Polydor 2310 578LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records SN-16117LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Polydor 2344 100LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SKAO 511744LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SKAO 511744LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SN-16117LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SN-16117LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
54 vinyl pressings of Level Headed are listed here, from 29 countries, released between 1978 and 1992.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Polydor POLD 5001, released January 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLD 5001, SKAO-11744, 2310 578, 2344 100) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XX xxxxxxx A//2 UT 11 11 and POLD 5001 A/2. 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.
