Vinyl pressings
by XTC · 1980
Generals And Majors was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, the album's first year, in 10 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.
VS-365-A4 TOWNHOUSE ASide A runout, variant 1
VS-365-B1 11 TOWNHOUSE ASide B runout, variant 1
VS-365-A4 TOWNHOUSE ASide A runout, variant 2
VS-365-B4 TOWNHOUSE ASide B runout, variant 2
VS-365.A-2 TOWNHOUSESide A hand-etched, Variant 1
VS-365.B-2 TOWNHOUSESide B hand-etched, Variant 1
VS 365 C1 TOWNHOUSESide C hand-etched, Variant 1
VS 365 D1 TOWNHOUSESide D hand-etched, Variant 1
VS-365-A4 2 0 TOWNHOUSE ΛSide A runout variant 1
VS-365‧B-1 33 Λ TOWNHOUSESide B runout variant 1
VS 365 A1 TOWNHOUSE ΛSide A runout variant 2
VS-365-B4 TOWNHOUSE ΛSide B runout variant 2
VS-365-A-2 A TOWNHOUSESide A runout
VS-365-B2 A TOWNHOUSESide B runout
VS-365-C2 TOWNHOUSE ASide C runout
VS-365-D2 3 A TOWNHOUSESide D runout
.VS_365_A2 TOWNHOUSEVariant 1: runout side A
.VS-365.B2 TOWNHOUSEVariant 1: runout side B
VS 365 C1 TOWNHOUSEVariant 1: runout side C
VS 365 D1 TOWNHOUSEVariant 1: runout side D
VR300-AS–SH1 99622Runout, Side A
VR300-BS‐SH1 99651Runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Virgin K-8015 / Virgin VS-365First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Australia | Virgin K-8015 / Virgin VS-365First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | Canada | Virgin VS 1119First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | Virgin 102433First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | Virgin 102366First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Virgin 102 366 / Virgin 102 366-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Virgin 102 366 / Virgin 102.366First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 365First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Philippines | Virgin VS 8003First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Portugal | Virgin VV-45 037ESFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Virgin VS 365First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Virgin VS 365First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Virgin VS 365First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Virgin VS 365First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Virgin VS 365First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
22 vinyl pressings of Generals And Majors are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Virgin VS 365.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 365, VR 300, VR 300 DJ, K-8015) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS-365-A4 TOWNHOUSE A and VS-365-B1 11 TOWNHOUSE A. 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.
