Vinyl pressings
by Dale Bozzio · 1988
Simon Simon was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 5 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.
R/S Alsdorf 928142-7-A HRunout side A variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 928142-7-B HRunout side B variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 928142-7-A BE H BERunout side A variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 928142-7-B HRunout side B variant 2
[Speciality Records Corporation logo] 7-28142-A-SR-1 ❀ 1-1Side A
[Speciality Records Corporation logo] 7-28142-B-SR-1 ⋎⋎ 1-1Side B
7-28142-ALabel Side A
7-28142-BLabel Side B
7-28142-ALabel side A
7-28142-BLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | Paisley Park 0 20818First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Canada | Paisley Park 92 81427First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Canada | Paisley Park 92 81427First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Europe | Paisley Park 928 142-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Paisley Park 920 818-0First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records DS-171 / Warner Bros. Records DS 171First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1988 | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records WB-77-623 / Warner Bros. Records 7-28142First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | US | Paisley Park 9 28142-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | US | Paisley Park 7-28142First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Paisley Park 9 20818-0 / Paisley Park 0-20818First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | US | Paisley Park 7-28142First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1988 | US | Paisley Park 7-28142First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Paisley Park 9 20818-0 / Paisley Park 0-20818First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
13 vinyl pressings of Simon Simon are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in Europe, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Paisley Park 928 142-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 928 142-7, 920 818-0, 9 28142-7, 9 20818-0) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 928142-7-A H and R/S Alsdorf 928142-7-B H. 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.
