Vinyl pressings
by Culture Club · 1983
Karma Chameleon was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
72 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 28 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.
VS 61212 A-3U-1-1-1X timtom-cbsSide A runout, Variant 1
VS 61212 B-1U-1-2-1X TYSide B runout, Variant 1
VS 61212 A-3U-1-1-X1 timtom-cbsSide A runout, Variant 2
VS 61212 B-2U-1-2-X1 TYSide B runout, Variant 2
VS 612 A-1U-1--1-1 timtom-cbsSide A runout
FB 7Side B runout
VS 612 A-3U-1- timtom-cbs ⋀Side A runout
VS 612 B-1U-1- TY ⋀Side B runout
VS612 ASide A label
VS612BSide B label
VS 612 A-4U-1-A-side, stamped, variant 1
VS 612 B-1U-1-B-side, stamped, variant 1
VS 612 A-4U-1-2-3 timtom-cbsA-side, stamped/etched, variant 2
1- VS 612 B-2U-1-1-18B-side, stamped, variant 2
VS 612 A-4U-1-1 1 30 timtom-cbsRunout side A, variant 1
VS 612 B -1U-1-1-2 TYRunout side B, variant 1
VS 612 A-3U-1-1 1 X1 timtom-cbsRunout side A, variant 2
∴ VS 612 B-2U-1- 1 ‒ 19 TYRunout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australasia | Virgin VS61212First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS 61212First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS 612First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Benelux | Virgin 105 750 / Virgin 105 750-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Brazil | Virgin 101.8279First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Virgin VSX 1176First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Virgin VS 1176First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Virgin VS 1176First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Virgin VS 1176First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | El Salvador | RCA VI-03First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Europe | Virgin 105 750 / Virgin 105 750-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Virgin 105 750 / Virgin 105 750-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Virgin 105 750 / Virgin 105 750-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1983 | Finland | Virgin VS 612-12First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | France | Virgin 105 750 / Virgin 105.750First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Europe | Virgin 0602537540549 / Universal Music Group International 06025375405497", Single, 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Barbados | Virgin 34042217", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
86 vinyl pressings of Karma Chameleon are listed here, from 32 countries, released between 1983 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Europe, Germany and more. One of them is Virgin VS 612-12, released August 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 612-12, VS 612, VSY 612, VS612) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 61212 A-3U-1-1-1X timtom-cbs and VS 61212 B-1U-1-2-1X TY. 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.
