Vinyl pressings
by Dennis DeYoung · 1986
Call Me was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. 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 1986, the album's first year, in 7 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 AM 02816 A RCA2 I STERLING Λ1Runout A etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ I Λ1 stamps)
A&M AM 02816 B RCA2 I STERLING Λ2Runout B etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ I Λ2 stamps)
AM-02816-AA Side Label
AM-02816-BB Side Label
A&M AM 02816 A ESIRunout side A
A&M AM 02816 A ESIRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Canada | A&M Records AM-2816First year7" | 7" |
| 1986 | Germany | A&M Records 390 092-7First year7" | 7" |
| 1986 | Germany | A&M Records 390 092-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-242First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-242First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Philippines | A&M Records AM-86-030First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Portugal | A&M Records 390 092-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | South Africa | A&M Records AMRS 1500First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | US | A&M Records AM-2816First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | A&M Records AM-2816First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | US | A&M Records SP-17370First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | A&M Records AM-2816First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1986 | Japan | A&M Records 7Y3007First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Call Me are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, Japan, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is A&M Records AM-2816, released February 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AM-2816, SP-17370, 7Y3007, 390 092-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A&M AM 02816 A RCA2 I STERLING Λ1 and A&M AM 02816 B RCA2 I STERLING Λ2. 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.
