Vinyl pressings
by Chas Jankel · 1981
Questionnaire was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. 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 1981, the album's first year, in 6 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.
11-9176-1A-1Runout side A stamped
11-9176-1B-1Runout side B stamped
AMS 12-9176-1Label side A
AMS 12-9176-2Label side B
19_9176_1A_1 ARunout side A
19_9176_1B_1 ARunout side B
AMS 9176-1Label side A
AMS 9176-2Label side B
AMSP-8176-A1 5 JONZ ΛRunout side-A
AMSP-8176-B1 5 SOUND CLINIC CRunout side-B
AMSP 8176-ALabel side-A
AMSP 8176-BLabel side-B
AMS 8176 A1Etched
AMS 8176 B2Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 12-9176 / A&M Records AMS 12.9176First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 9176First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | A&M Records AMS 9176First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-742First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | A&M Records K8616First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | South Africa | A&M Records AMRS 1369First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records AMSP 8176First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records AMS 8176First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records AMS 8176First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records AMSP 8176First year12", 45 RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records AMS 8176First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | A&M Records AMS 91767" | 7" |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | A&M Records K-86167", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of Questionnaire are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Europe, UK, Italy, Japan and more. One of them is A&M Records AMS 12-9176.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMS 12-9176, AMS 9176, AMSP 8176, AMS 8176) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 11-9176-1A-1 and 11-9176-1B-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.
