Vinyl pressings
by Arthur Lee · 1972
Vindicator was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. 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 1972, the album's first year, in 5 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.
AM SP4611-M1 (Circled) MR △16976Side A etched, except (Circled) MR stamped
AM SP4612-M1 (Circled) MR △ 16976-X ‧ (1)Side B etched, except (Circled) MR stamped
SP-4611Side A Label
SP-4612SIde B Label
A+M SP 4611-P1 PSide A runout, variant 1
A+M SP 4612-P1 PSide B runout, variant 1
A+M SP 4611-P1 A3 PSide A runout, variant 2
A+M SP 4612-P1 1A PSide B runout, variant 2
(Side A): A+M SP 4611-P1 Etched
(Side B): A+M SP 4612-P1 Etched
(Side A) : T1 A+M SP 4611-T1 Etched
(Side B) : T1 A+M SP 4612-T1 Etched
A&M SP-4611-P1 V2 PRunout Side A etched/ V, 2 & P stamped
A&M SP-4612-P1 2V PRunout Side B etched/ 2, V & P stamped
A&M SP4611-M1 △16976 [2] MRSide A runout, etched. Circled MR stamped
A&M SP4612-M1 △ 16976-X (1) MRSide B runout, etched. Circled MR stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | A&M Records SAML 934,638 / A&M Records AML 34638First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Barbados | A&M Records SP 4356First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | New Zealand | A&M Records SAML-934638 / A&M Records AML 34638First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | A&M Records AMLS 64356First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | A&M Records SP 4356First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | A&M Records A&M SP-4356First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | A&M Records SP-4356First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | A&M Records SP 4356 / A&M Records SP-4356First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | A&M Records SP 4356First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | A&M Records SP 4356First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | A&M Records SP 4356First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-2017LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | A&M Records 700157 / Elemental Music 700157LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | A&M Records AMP-2017LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
14 vinyl pressings of Vindicator are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1972 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Barbados and more. One of them is A&M Records SP 4356.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 4356, A&M SP-4356, SP-4356, AMLS 64356) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AM SP4611-M1 (Circled) MR △16976 and AM SP4612-M1 (Circled) MR △ 16976-X ‧ (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.
