Vinyl pressings
by Carpenters · 1970
We've Only Just Begun was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 13 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+M 2028S-T2 TIIRunout, side A, etched
A+M 2029S-T2 TIIRunout, side B, etched
2028-SLabel side A
2029-SLabel side B
A&M 2028 S-P1 3 PRunout A, variant 1
A&M 2029 S-P1 A3 PRunout B, variant 1
A&M 2028S-P2 PRunout A, variant 2
A&M 2029S-P1 PRunout B, variant 2
A&M 2028S-TB T11A side runout - etched
A&M 2029S-T4 T11B side runout - etched
2028-SA side label
2029-5B side label
A&M 2028S-M1 △82131 [MR logo]Side A runout
A&M 2029S-M3 △82131-X [MR logo]Side B runout
2028-SSide A Label
2029-SSide B Label
A&M 2028-M3 MR △82130Runout Mono-side
A&M 2028S-M2 MR △82131Runout Stereo-side
2028Label Mono-side
2028-SLabel Stereo-side
A&M 2028S-M1 △82131 [MR logo]Side A runout
A&M 2029S-M1 △82131-X [MR logo]Side B runout
2028-SSide A label
2029-SSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | A&M Records AMK-3913First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Brazil | A&M Records 7AM-5052First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1970 | Canada | A&M Records AM 1217 / A&M Records 1217First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1217First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1217First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Germany | A&M Records 14 737 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | Ireland | Pye Records AMS 813First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Japan | A&M Records AM-50First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | Japan | A&M Records AM-50First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | Japan | A&M Records AM-50First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | Japan | A&M Records AM-50(S)First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | Netherlands | A&M Records 14 737 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | New Zealand | A&M Records AMK-3913First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | New Zealand | A&M Records AMK-3913First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Portugal | A&M Records N-35-19First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | A&M Records AMK-39137", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records AM-12177", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records AM-12177", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records AM-12177", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records AM-12177", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Lebanon | A&M Records AM 0277", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | A&M Records AM 1217 / A&M Records 12177", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
38 vinyl pressings of We've Only Just Begun are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1970 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, France, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records 1217, released August 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1217, AM 1217, 1217-S, AMS 813) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A+M 2028S-T2 TII and A+M 2029S-T2 TII. 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.
