Vinyl pressings
by Angel City · 1980
Darkroom 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.
11 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 4 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 PAL-36543 1B Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide 1 (etched except for "MASTERED BY CAPITOL")
1S PBL-36543 1A MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide 2 (etched except for "MASTERED BY CAPTIOL")
T1 PAL-36543 1E Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL oSide 1 Runout, variant 1
T1 PBL-36543 1H MASTERED BY CAPITOL oSide 2 Runout, variant 1
T1 PAL-36543 1E Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL A1 oSide 1 Runout, variant 2
T1 PBL-36543 1H Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL A4 oSide 2 Runout, variant 2
PAL-36543 1D I Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL E PRunout Side 1
PBL-36543 1J Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL A o 1TRunout Side 2
PAL-36543 1A Wally Mastered By Capitol A3 /5Runout Side A
PBL-36543 1B Wally Mastered By Capitol B-3 /5Runout Side B
AL 36543Label Side A
BL 36543Label Side B
PAL-36543 1B SX Wally Mastered By Capitol B-1 1SA3 /5Runout side A
PBL-36543 1D Wally Mastered By Capitol B PRunout side B
AL 36543A-side label
BL 36543B-side label
PAL-36543 1D Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL pRunout A
PBL-36543 1H Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL o T1 ᑫRunout B
AL 36543Label A
BL 36543Label 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 | Europe | Epic EPC 84502 / Epic JE 36543First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Europe | Epic EPC 84502First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Epic EPC 84502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Epic EPC 84502First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Epic JE 36543First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Epic JE 36543First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Epic JE 36543First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Epic JE 36543First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Epic JE 36543First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Epic JE 36543First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Canada | Epic JE 36543First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Darkroom are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Canada, Europe. One of them is Epic JE 36543.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JE 36543, EPC 84502) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S1 PAL-36543 1B Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL and 1S PBL-36543 1A MASTERED BY CAPITOL. 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.
