Vinyl pressings
by Alabama · 1986
The Touch was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 7 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.
5649-1-R-A-1S GM MASTERFONICS Ⅰ "PURE MAJIC" A1FSide A Runout
5649-1-R-B-1S "PURE MAJIC" Ⅰ GM MASTERFONICS A1HSide B Runout
5649-1-R-A-2S 1 M Masterfonics PURE MAJIC A2ESide A Runout, Variant 2 [single "M" has a line above and below]
5649-1-R-B-2S 1 M Masterfonics PURE MAJIC A1DSide B Runout, Variant 2 [single "M" has a line above and below]
5649-1-R-A-2S M (with lines over top and bottom of the m) MASTERFONICS "PURE MAJIC" A1Side A, Etched (A1 is stamped)
5649-1-R-B-2S "PURE MAJIC" M (with lines over top and bottom of the m) MASTERFONICS A3Side B, Etched (A3 is stamped)
APL1 600/A 5649-1RA 2Side A Runout
APL1 600/B 5649-1R-BSide B Runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | RCA Victor APL1 6001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | RCA Victor 5649-1-RFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | RCA PL 85 649First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | RCA RPL-8361First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Portugal | RCA Victor PL 5649First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | South Africa | RCA Victor RCAC 1051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | RCA Victor 5649-1-RFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | RCA Victor 5649-1-RFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | RCA PL 85649LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | South Korea | Seoul Records SRPR-091 / RCA SRPR-091LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | RCA Victor PL 85649LP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of The Touch are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, Australia & New Zealand, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is RCA Victor 5649-1-R.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5649-1-R, APL1 6001, PL 85 649, PL 5649) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5649-1-R-A-1S GM MASTERFONICS Ⅰ "PURE MAJIC" A1F and 5649-1-R-B-1S "PURE MAJIC" Ⅰ GM MASTERFONICS A1H. 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.
