Vinyl pressings
by Uriah Heep · 1983
Stay On Top was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 5 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.
105778 A-1/83S |Side A, variant 1
105778 B-1/83S |Side B, variant 1
DS 105778 A-1/83S | Made in GermanySide A, variant 2
DS 105778 B-1/83S | Made in GermanySide B, variant 2
BRO 168 A//1♦420Runout Side A
BRO 168 B//1♦420Runout Side B
HEEP 1 A//1 ♦ 420Runout Side C
HEEP 1 B//1 ♦ 420Runout Side D
BRO 168 A// 1▽420 U 1 1Variant 1,Side A runout
BRO 168 B // 1▽420 U Ʊtopia 1 1 3Variant 2, Side B runout
BRO 168 B[Crossed out] A// 1▽420 U 1 1 2Variant 2, Side A runout
BRO 168 B // 1▽420 U Ʊtopia 1 1 4Variant 2, Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Bronze BROG 168 / Bronze K-9171First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | Bronze K-9171 / Bronze BRO 168First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Australia | Bronze BROG 168 / Bronze K-9171First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Germany | Bronze 105 778First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Bronze K-9171First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Bronze BROG 168 / Bronze 815 015-7First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Bronze BRO 168First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Bronze BROX 168First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | Bronze BROG 168 / Bronze 815 015-7First year7", 45 RPM, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, All Media, Single | 7", 45 RPM, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, All Media, Single |
| 1983 | US | Mercury MK 241First year12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of Stay On Top are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in Germany, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Bronze 105 778.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 105 778, BROG 168, BRO 168, BROX 168) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 105778 A-1/83S | and 105778 B-1/83S |. 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.
