Vinyl pressings
by Carpenters · 1977
Sweet, Sweet Smile was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1977, 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.
A&M12389-S-T2 TIIA side runout, etched
A&M 12261S(RE-1)-T2 TIIIIB side runout, etched
12389-SA side label
12261-SB side label
A&M12389-S-P1A side runout, variant 1
A&M12261-S-P4B side runout, variant 1
p A&M12389S-P2 1 AA side runout, variant 2
A&M12261-S-P9 pB side runout, variant 2
12389-SA side label
12261-SB side label
AMS 7327 A2 0 ∆10 3585 England AM 9007-S E2 INT AA side runout
AMS 7327 B2 ∆10 3585 -X England AM 9008-S E1 INT AB side runout
AMS 7327• A1 AM-9007-SEI INT ∆10 3585A-side run-out, stamped / etched, variant 1
AMS-7327-B-A MBπB-side run-out, etched, variant 1
AMS 7327 A1 AM-9007-S EI INT ∆10 3585 England 13 ∧A-side run-out, stamped / etched, variant 2
AMS-7327-B-4 5 MBπ ∧B-side run-out, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | A&M Records K-7042 / A&M Records 2008-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records AM-2008-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records AM-2008 / A&M Records AM-2008-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1977 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 5628 / A&M Records AM 2008First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | A&M Records AMS 5628First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Germany | A&M Records AMS 5628 / A&M Records AMS S 5628First year7", Promo, Single, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Promo, Single, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1977 | Germany | A&M Records AMS 5628First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Italy | A&M Records 2008-S / A&M Records AM 2008First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Italy | A&M Records AM 45104First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Japan | A&M Records CM-2045First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Japan | A&M Records CM-2045First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | A&M Records K 7042First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Panama | A&M Records AM-2008First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records 2008-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records 2008-S / A&M Records 2008First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
25 vinyl pressings of Sweet, Sweet Smile are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records 2008-S.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2008-S, AMS 7327, K-7042, AM-2008-S) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A&M12389-S-T2 TII and A&M 12261S(RE-1)-T2 TIIII. 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.
