Vinyl pressings
by The Tubes · 1981
The Completion Backward Principle was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
33 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 17 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.
SOO-1-12151-Z7Variant 1 side A runout
SOO-2-12151-Z7Variant 1 side B runout
SOO-1-12151-Z7 ① STERLING ◎ Variant 2 side A runout, etched / stamped
SOO-2-12151-Z7 ① STERLING ◎Variant 2 side B runout, etched / stamped
SOO-1-12151- Z7 STERLING [Capitol target logo]Runout side A etched & stamped
SOO-12151-B- [initials] XD [Capitol target logo]Runout side B etched & stamped
SOO-1-12151- Z7 STERLING [Capitol target logo]Runout Side A
SOO-12151-B-1 ① K.E.F. TLC-T. [Capitol target logo]Runout Side B
SOO-1-12151-Z1#1Side 1 Runout Etched [ Variant 1 ]
SOO-2-12151-Z8#1Side 2 Runout Etched [ Variant 1 ]
SOO-1-12151-Z2#2Side 1 Runout Etched [ Variant 2 ]
SOO-2-12151-Z8Side 2 Runout Etched [ Variant 2 ]
SOO-1-12151-Z3 • —◁ STERLINGA side runout, variant 1
SOO-2-12151-Z4 • —◁ #3 STERLINGB side runout, variant 1
SOO-1-12151-Z3 • —◁ #3 STERLINGA side runout, variant 2
SOO-2-12151-Z4 • —◁ #3 STERLINGB side runout, variant 3
SOO-1-12151-Z6 B-15697-①Runout side A, var. 1 etched
SOO-2-12151-Z6 B15698-①Runout side B, var. 1 etched
SOO-12151-Z5 B-15697 ①Runout side A, var. 2 etched
STERLING ɑRunout sides A and B, var. 2 stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia & New Zealand | Capitol Records ST.12151First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C 064 400009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Capitol Records SOO-12151First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Capitol Records SOO-12151First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Capitol Records SOO-12151First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Colombia | Capitol Records 11-848First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Capitol Records 1C 064-400 009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | Capitol Records 1C 064-400 009First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Capitol Records 1C 064-400 009 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-400 009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Capitol Records 2C 070 400009 / Capitol Records 2C 070- 400.009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 064-400 009LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 064-400 009First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 064-400 009 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-400 009First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Capitol Records EST 26285First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Capitol Records 3C 064-57001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | UK | BGO Records BGOLP100LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | US | Friday Music FRM-12151LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records SOO-12151LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 064-400 009 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-400 009LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
45 vinyl pressings of The Completion Backward Principle are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1981 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Canada, US, UK, Germany and more. One of them is Capitol Records SOO-12151.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SOO-12151, E-ST 26285, 1C 064-400 009, 3C 064-57001) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SOO-1-12151-Z7 and SOO-2-12151-Z7. 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.
