Vinyl pressings
by UFO · 1982
Mechanix was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 16 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.
CHR 1360 A-1 CHR 1360 A//1▽420P 1 1 3Side A runout
CHR 1360 B-2 CHR 1360 B//2▽420P 1 1 4Side B runout
CHR 1360 A//2▽420P 1 1 1Side A stamped (Variant 2)
CHR 1360 A-2Side A etched (Variant 2)
CHR-1360-AS-PRC-C̶̷ C-1-1-1 FAB STERLINGRun out, side A / etched [except STERLING] (Variant 1)
CHR-1360-BS-PRC-C̶̷ C-1-1-1 FAB STERLINGRun out, side B / etched [except STERLING] (Variant 1)
CHR-1360-AS-PRC-C̶̷ C-2-1-1 FAB STERLING -14-Run out, side A / etched [except STERLING] (Variant 2)
CHR-1360-BS-PRC-C C̶̷-2-1-1 -17- STERLINGRun out, side B / etched [except STERLING] (Variant 2)
T1 CHR-1360-AS-CT1 FAB STERLING DSide A, variant 1
T1 CHR-1360-BS-CT1 STERLING DSide B, variant 1
T1 CHR-1360-AS-CT2 FAB STERLING DSide A, variant 2
T1 CHR-1360-BS-CT1 STERLING DSide B, variant 2
CHR-1360-A 1S 4 〄 2-2Side A runout
CHR-1360-B 1S 3 〄Side B runout
5 SMX-59017 W2ASide A runout
6 SMX-59018 W2ASide B runout
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 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1360LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Australia | Chrysalis L 37778First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Brazil | Chrysalis 104.8244First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Chrysalis CHR 1360First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Chrysalis 204 407 / Chrysalis 204 407-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | Chrysalis 204 407 / Chrysalis 204 407-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | France | Chrysalis CHR 1360First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Greece | Chrysalis 6483 343First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Ireland | Chrysalis CHR 1360First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Italy | Chrysalis CHR 1360First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 204 407-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Chrysalis L 37778First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Portugal | Chrysalis 6399 344First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | Chrysalis CHR 1360 / Chrysalis CHR-1360First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | Chrysalis CHR 1360 / Chrysalis CHR-1360First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | UK | Back On Black RCV051LPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2011 | UK | Back On Black RCV051LPLP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Korea | Stereophonic 924LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
30 vinyl pressings of Mechanix are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1981 and 2011.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Chrysalis CHR 1360.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHR 1360, WWS-81470, L 37778, 104.8244) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHR 1360 A-1 CHR 1360 A//1▽420P 1 1 3 and CHR 1360 B-2 CHR 1360 B//2▽420P 1 1 4. 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.
