Vinyl pressings
by 38 Special · 1982
Special Forces was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 13 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.
S1 SPO-4888-A-RCA-1 MASTERDISKSide A runout, variant 1
S2 SPO-4888-B-RCA-3 MASTERDISKSide B runout, variant 1
SPO-4888-A-RCA-1 MASTERDISK I A4 BSide A runout, variant 2
SPO-4888-B-RCA-1 MASTERDISK I A3 3Side B runout, variant 2
EMW SPO-4888-A-ES-1 ∑ (Stamped:) MASTERDISKSide A
SPO-4888-B-M2 SM M 25499x XX (Stamped:) MASTERDISKSide B
EMW SPO-4888-A-ES-1 VII (Stamped:) MASTERDISKSide A Variant 2
SPO-4888-B-ES-2 (Stamped:) MASTERDISKSide B Variant 2
SP-04888A
SP-04888B-1B
SPO-4888-GD2 A BK JR MASTERDISK EDP (inside circle)Side A Etched [MASTERDISK EDP, stamped] - Variant 1
SPO-4888-B-GD2 JR 1-B MASTERDISK EDP (inside circle)Side B Etched [MASTERDISK EDP, stamped] -Variant 1
SPO-4888-A-GD1 MASTERDISK BKSide A Etched [MASTERDISK] - Variant 2
DPO-4888-B-GD2 MASTERDISK EDP (inside circle)Side B Etched [MASTERDISK EDP, stamped] Variant 2
SPO-4888-A-GD1 -BKSide A Etched
SPO-4888-B-GD-1Side B Etched
MASTERDISKSide A & B Stamped
SP-04888-ASide A Label
SPO-4888-A-M1 MR △ 25499 MASTERDISKA runout, variant 1
SPO-4888-B-M2 MR 25499X XVII MASTERDISKB runout, variant 1
SPO-4888-A-M1 MR △ 25499 MASTERDISKA runout, variant 2
SPO-4888-B-M2 MR 25499X MASTERDISKB runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | A&M Records L 37867First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4888First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4888First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4888LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1982 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4888First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4888First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Colombia | A&M Records 106-0027First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64888First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Greece | A&M Records AMLH 64888First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28054First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28054First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Mexico | A&M Records AMLS 48055First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Portugal | A&M Records SP-4888First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Portugal | A&M Records AMLH 64888 / CBS AMLH 64888First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | South Africa | A&M Records AMLS 64888First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | US | Snakefarm Records SNAKE551178LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4888LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
38 vinyl pressings of Special Forces are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1982 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-4888, released May 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4888, SP - 4888, SP 4888, AMLH 64888) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S1 SPO-4888-A-RCA-1 MASTERDISK and S2 SPO-4888-B-RCA-3 MASTERDISK. 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.
