Vinyl pressings
by Burt Bacharach · 1979
Woman was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. 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 1979, the album's first year, in 10 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.
SP3731-S̶3̶T3 TML-M +: SLM △9 THSide 1
SP 3732-T-1 TML-M :+: SLM △9-X THSide 2
SP3731-S-3 TML=M + SLM △9 PITT XT A 2Side 1
SP 3732-S11 X TML=M + SLM △9-X PXTSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | A&M Records L 36843First yearLP | LP |
| 1979 | Brazil | A&M Records 31C 064 62884First yearLP | LP |
| 1979 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3709First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | A&M Records AMLK 63709First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | New Zealand | A&M Records L 36843First yearLP | LP |
| 1979 | Portugal | A&M Records PPSP-3709First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | A&M Records AMLH 63709 / A&M Records AMLH-63709First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | A&M Records AMLK 63709First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | A&M Records SP-3709First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | A&M Records SP-3709First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | A&M Records SP-3709LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Venezuela | A&M Records AMS-5062First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Woman are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-3709.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-3709, AMLK 63709, L 36843, 31C 064 62884) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP3731-S̶3̶T3 TML-M +: SLM △9 TH and SP 3732-T-1 TML-M :+: SLM △9-X TH. 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.
