Vinyl pressings
by Yes · 1981
Classic Yes was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
44 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 21 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.
R/S Alsdorf 50842 A2 STRAWBERRY (G)side A (stamped)
02 0̸ 1 UK 1side A (etched)
.STRAWBERRY.side B (stamped)
0̸ 50842-B2side B (etched)
R/S Alsdorf 50842 A2 •STRAWBERRY (G)• (Hand etched): øSide A stamped
•STRAWBERRY• R/S Alsdorf 50842 B2x (Hand etched): øSide B stamped
R/S 11694 A2 1̶̷1̶̷6̶̷0̶̷ STRAWBERRY (G) øC hand etched
11694 B •STRAWBERRY• R/S Alsdorf SAM 141 B (Hand etched): øD stamped
R/S Alsdorf 50842 A2 •STRAWBERRY (G)•Runout, A-side, stamped
50842 - B2 - / GB 39 øRunout, B-side, etched
•STRAWBERRY•Runout, B-side, stamped
W-9 W073 K50842-A-2 .STRAWBERRY.Side A, etched/stamped variant 1
W18 W'073 K50842-B-2 .STRAWBERRY.Side B, etched/stamped variant 1
SAM+141+A .STRAWBERRY.Side C, etched/stamped variant 1
SAM+141+A .STRAWBERRY.Side D, etched/stamped variant 1
W073 STRAWBERRY K50842-A-2 .Runout side A
W22 W073 STRAWBERRY. K50842-B-2Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | Atlantic SLIN 3190First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Argentina | Atlantic 208011First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Australia | Atlantic SD 19320First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Australia | Atlantic SD 19320First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | LP, Compilation, Stereo, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic XSD 19320First yearLP, Compilation, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | LP, Compilation, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic XSD 19320First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic XSD 19320First yearLP, Compilation, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | LP, Compilation, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Colombia | Atlantic 01(9915)00059First year7", 45 RPM, Compilation | 7", 45 RPM, Compilation |
| 1981 | Colombia | Atlantic 23(7031)00294First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Europe | Atlantic ATL K 50 842 / Atlantic K 50 842First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Europe | Atlantic ATL K 50 842 / Atlantic SD 19320First yearLP, Compilation, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM | LP, Compilation, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | Europe | Atlantic ATL K 50 842 / Atlantic SD 19320First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | France | Atlantic ATL K 50 842 / Atlantic ATL 50 842First yearLP, Compilation, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | LP, Compilation, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 842 / Atlantic ATL K 50 842First yearLP, Compilation, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM | LP, Compilation, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | Atlantic ATL K 50842 / Atlantic ATL 50 842First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Atlantic 20.072LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Brazil | Atlantic 20.072LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Atlantic ATL K 50 842 / Atlantic SD 19320LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Atlantic ATL K 50 842 / Atlantic SD 19320LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Atlantic SD 19320LP, Compilation, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Styrene, All Media, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Styrene, All Media, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | US | Atlantic SD 19320LP, Compilation, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Styrene, All Media, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Styrene, All Media, Club Edition · Club edition |
64 vinyl pressings of Classic Yes are listed here, from 26 countries, released between 1981 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Europe, UK, US, Argentina and more. One of them is Atlantic ATL K 50 842.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ATL K 50 842, K 50842, K50842, SD 19320) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 50842 A2 STRAWBERRY (G) and 02 0̸ 1 UK 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.
