Vinyl pressings
by Tom T. Hall · 1976
Faster Horses was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. 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 1976, 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.
SRM-1-1076-CT-A2 TSide A runout, etched var.1
SRM-1-1076-CT-B-1 TSide B runout, etched var.1
SRM-1-1076-CT-A-1 Λ TISide A runout, etched exc. Λ, var.2
SRM-1-1076-CP-B8 Λ T\Side B runout, etched exc. Λ, var.2
SRM-1-1076-CS-A5Side A runout (etched)
SRM-1-1076-CS-B6Side B runout (etched)
P T1 SRM-1-1076-CP-A2 ASide A Runout, Etched (P is stamped)
T1 SRM-1-1076-CP-B4 BSide B Runout, Etched
T1 SRM-1-1076-CP-A-4 ASide A etched except trailing A
T1 SRM-1-1076-CP-B4 B2Side B etched except trailing B
SRM-1-1076-CS-A5 A1 1SA-side runout, etched
SRM-1-1076-CS-B5 B2 1SB-side runout, etched
SRM-1-1076-AA-side label
SRM-1-1076-BB-side label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | New Zealand | Mercury 6338 681First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1076First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1076LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1076First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1076First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1076LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1076First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1076First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1076First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1076LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
10 vinyl pressings of Faster Horses are listed here, from 2 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, New Zealand. One of them is Mercury SRM-1-1076.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SRM-1-1076, 6338 681) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRM-1-1076-CT-A2 T and SRM-1-1076-CT-B-1 T. 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.
