Vinyl pressings
by Angela Bofill · 1983
Too Tough was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 9 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.
B3 <-> AL-9616-SAVariant 1 Runout Side A Etched & Stamped
A4 <-> AL-9616-SBVariant 1 Runout Side B Etched & Stamped
AL 9616 SASide 1 Label
AL 9616 SBSide 2 Label
AL8-8000-SA-1A-side runout, etched
AL8-8000-SB-1B-side runout, etched
AL-9616-SA B-2 <->Side A
AL-9616-SB A2 <->Side B
AL-9616-SA MR-25938Side A etched
AL-9616-SB ENW MR △ 25938XSide B etched
AL 9616 SASide A label
AL 9616 SBSide B label
SMX-60371
SMX-60372
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Arista L 38004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista AL 9616First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Arista 205 273 / Arista 205.273First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Arista 205 273First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Arista 25RS-184First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Arista 25RS-184First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Philippines | Arista RTLP-16020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Portugal | Arista 205273First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Arista AL8-8000First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Arista AL 9616First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Arista AL8-8000 / Arista AL8 8000LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | US | Arista AL-9616First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Arista AL 9616First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Venezuela | Arista AL 9616First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Arista AL 9616First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Arista AL8-8000 / Arista AL 8-8000LP, Album | LP, Album |
16 vinyl pressings of Too Tough are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Australia, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Arista AL 9616, released January 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 9616, AL8-8000, AL-9616, L 38004) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, B3 <-> AL-9616-SA and A4 <-> AL-9616-SB. 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.
