Vinyl pressings
by Denny Laine · 1980
Japanese Tears 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.
11 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 10 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.
SCRL 5001-A-1 A/C ̷H̷M̷R̷ ̷5̷0̷0̷2̷ .A1 △Tone W A SIDERunout Side A
SCRL 5001 B-1 AIA ̷H̷M̷R̷ ̷5̷0̷0̷2̷ .B1 △TRunout Side B
SCRL 5001 ALabel Side A
SCRL 5001 BLabel Side B
160 2393277 1 380 POLYGRAM
160 2393277 2 380 POLYGRAM
0063 221 S 1 0703 810 S 1 = 2 320 BVariant 1: A-Side Stamp
0063 221 S 2 0703 810 S 2 = 2 320 BVariant 1: B-Side Stamp
40152 A FSide A
40152 B FSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Polydor 2907 063First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Polydor 2393277First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Global Records And Tapes 0063.221First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | Music-Box SMB 40162 / Music-Box M. BOX 40162First yearLP | LP |
| 1980 | Japan | Trio Records TRSH-2011 / Trash TRSH-2011First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Trio Records TRSH-2011 / Trash TRSH-2011First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Mexico | Peerless MS-2230First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Polydor 2393 277First yearLP | LP |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2393 277First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Polydor 2393 277First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Scratch Records SCRL 5001First yearLP | LP |
| 1982 | Mexico | Peerless MS-2230LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Venezuela | Palacio LPS-99.541LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Takoma TAK 7103LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Takoma TAK 7103LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Unknown | Lilith LR148LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of Japanese Tears are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1980 and 2008.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is Scratch Records SCRL 5001, released December 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SCRL 5001, 2907 063, 2393277, 0063.221) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SCRL 5001-A-1 A/C ̷H̷M̷R̷ ̷5̷0̷0̷2̷ .A1 △Tone W A SIDE and SCRL 5001 B-1 AIA ̷H̷M̷R̷ ̷5̷0̷0̷2̷ .B1 △T. 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.
