Vinyl pressings
by West India Company · 1984
Ave Maria was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
LONX 56 A // 2▽420H 1 1 2Side A, run-out, variant 1
LONX 56 B // 2▽420H 1 1 1Side B, run-out, variant 1
LONX 56 A // 1▽420H 1 1 2Side A, run-out, variant 2
LONX 56 B // 1▽420H 1 1 2Side B, run-out, variant 2
LON 56 A // 1 420 HSide A variant 1
LON 56 B // 1 420 HSide B variant 1
LON 56 A // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1 2Side A variant 2
LON 56 B // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1 3Side B variant 2
LEP · 330 · A SNB 230 [signature/sign] DM ISide A
LEP · 330 · B SNB 230 [signature/sign] DM [small 'F' and small '3']Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | London Records LEP 330First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1984 | Denmark | Mega Records MRCX 1216First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | Denmark | Mega Records MRCS 2016First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | London Records 6.20388 / London Records 6.20388 AEFirst year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1984 | Germany | London Records 6.14270First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | London Records 6.20388 / London Records 6.20388 AEFirst year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1984 | Germany | London Records 6.20388First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | London Records 6.20388 / London Records 6.20388 AEFirst year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1984 | Netherlands | London Records 882 024-1First year12" | 12" |
| 1984 | UK | London Records LONX 56 / London Records 882 024-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | London Records LON 56First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | London Records LONXDJ 56First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | London Records 882.024-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | South Africa | London Records SV 0165 / London Records 882 041-112", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
14 vinyl pressings of Ave Maria are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1984 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Netherlands, Canada, Denmark and more. One of them is London Records LONX 56.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LONX 56, LON 56, LONXDJ 56, 882.024-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LONX 56 A // 2▽420H 1 1 2 and LONX 56 B // 2▽420H 1 1 1. 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.
