Vinyl pressings
by Bad Manners · 1980
Special Brew 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.
15 pressings came out in 1980, 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.
MAG 180 A1Side A runout, variant 1
MAG 180 B1Side B runout, variant 1
MAG 180 A1 BB DAMONT D 2Side A runout, variant 2
MAG 180 B1 BJ DAMONT 1Side B runout, variant 2
MAG 180 A1Side A Runout, etched
MAG 180 B1Side B Runout, etched
MAG 180 ASide A Label
MAG 180 BSide B Label
MAG 180 A1Side A Runout, etched
MAG 180 B1Side B Runout, etched
MAG 180 ASide A Label
MAG 180 BSide B Label
MAG180 A1Etched runout, side A, variant 1
MAG 180 B1Etched runout, side B, variant 1
MAG180 A1 5 JEtched runout, side A, variant 2
MAG 180 B1 2 BFEtched runout, side B, variant 2
MAG 180 A1 2U ISide A runout etched, variant 1
MAG 180 B1 2U BXSide B runout etched, variant 1
MAG 180 A1 2 ESide A runout etched, variant 2
MAG 180 B1 I FSide B runout etched, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Magnet K-8067First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | Magnet 6.12835 / Magnet 6.12 835First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | Magnet 76.13 005First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | Magnet 6.12835 AC / Magnet 6.12 835First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Ireland | Magnet MAG 180First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Italy | Durium Marche Estere DE. 3155 / Magnet DE. 3155First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Durium DE 3155 / Durium Marche Estere DE. 3155First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Magnet 1A 006-64113 / Magnet 1A006-64113First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | South Africa | Magnet MAGS1516First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Magnet MAGP 180First year7", Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1980 | UK | Magnet MAG 180First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Magnet MAG 180First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | UK | Magnet MAG 180First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Magnet MAG 180First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Magnet MAG 180First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Special Brew are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1980 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Australia, Germany, Ireland and more. One of them is Magnet MAG 180, released September 12, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MAG 180, MAGP 180, K-8067, 6.12835) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MAG 180 A1 and MAG 180 B1. 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.
