Vinyl pressings
by Dave Davies · 1980
AFL1-3603 was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 9 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.
AFLI-3603-A-10 RL MASTERDISK IRunout side A, variant 1
AFLI-3603-B-10 RL MASTERDISK IRunout side B, variant 1
AFLI-3603-A-10 MASTERDISK RL I A1 13Runout side A, variant 2
AFLI-3603-B-10 MASTERDISK RL I A1 13Runout side B, variant 2
AFLI-3603A-12 [MR in circle] △24809 (2) [MR in circle] (all etched except for first MR)Runout Side A - variant 1
[MR in circle] AFLI-3603B-11 △24809 X [- in circle] [MR in circle] (all etched except for first MR)Runout Side B - variant 1
AFLI-3603A-12 [MR in circle] △24809 (3) [MR in circle] (all etched except for first MR)Runout Side A - variant 2
[MR in circle] AFLI-3603B-11 △24809 X [- in circle] [MR in circle] (all etched except for first MR)Runout Side B - variant 2
AFL1-3603A-13 G (circled) K-12280 GOLRunout Side A
AFL1-3603B-12 G (circled) K-12281 GOLRunout Side B
JA PL 13603 A-1E W A1BSide A, etched
JA PL 13603 B-1E W A1BSide B, etched
PL 13603 ALabel side A
PL 13603 BLabel side B
AFLI-3603 ASide A label
AFLI-3603 BSide B label
AFLI 3603 A A1A3 B.S. A.A.Side A stamped, B.S. A.A. etched, variant 1
AFLI 3603 B A1A2 B.S. A.A.Side B stamped, B.S. A.A. etched, variant 1
AFLI 3603 A A1A2 B.S. AASide A "AFLI 3603 A A1A2" stamped, B.S. AA etched, variant 2
AFLI 3603 B A1A3 B.S. AASide B "AFLI 3603 B A1A3" stamped, B.S. AA 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | RCA Victor APL1 3603First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | RCA Victor AFL1-3603First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | RCA AFL1-3603 / RCA Victor AFL1-3603First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | RCA Victor PL 13603First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | RCA RPL-8011First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | RCA RPL-8011First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | RCA Victor PL 13603First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | RCA Victor AFL1-3603First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | RCA Victor AFL1-3603First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | RCA AFL1-3603 / RCA Victor AFL1-3603First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | RCA PL 13603First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | New Zealand | RCA Victor APL1 3603First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of AFL1-3603 are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, New Zealand, Australia and more. One of them is RCA AFL1-3603, released July 9, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AFL1-3603, PL 13603, APL1 3603, RPL-8011) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AFLI-3603-A-10 RL MASTERDISK I and AFLI-3603-B-10 RL MASTERDISK I. 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.
