Vinyl pressings
by Walter Egan · 1978
Hot Summer Nights 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.
9 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 6 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.
2001 833 A //2 E 420 11Runout side A, variant 1
2001 833 B //1 E STR 10 STRAWBERRYRunout side B, variant 1
2001833 A //2▽E420 11 14Runout side A, variant 2
2001833 B //1 E STR 12 8 STRAWBERRYRunout side B, variant 2
ZSS-164489-1CRun-out Etching Side A
ZSS-164490-1BRun-out Etching Side B
ZSS 164489Label side A
ZSS 164490Label side B
ZSS-164489-1G TIRun-out Etching Side A
T ZSS-164490-1FRun-out Etching Side B
ZSS 164489Label side A
ZSS 164490Label side B
ZSP-164488-1JSide A, Runout, Etching
ZSS-164489-1GSide B, Runout, Etching
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 | Australia | Polydor 2001 839First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | France | Polydor 2001 839First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Polydor 2001 833First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Polydor POLY 12First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Polydor 2001 833First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10824First year7", Styrene | 7", Styrene |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10824First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Columbia AS 507First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10824First year7", Styrene | 7", Styrene |
| 1979 | Japan | Polydor DPQ61237", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Hot Summer Nights are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Australia, France and more. One of them is Polydor 2001 833.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2001 833, 3-10824, AS 507, 2001 839) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2001 833 A //2 E 420 11 and 2001 833 B //1 E STR 10 STRAWBERRY. 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.
