Vinyl pressings
by Dolly Parton · 1984
The Great Pretender was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 13 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.
AHL1 4940-A-1S TML-X I A4 MSide A runout, variant 1
AHL1- 4940-B-1S TML-X I A1 PSide B runout, variant 1
AHL1 4940-A-1S TML-S ISide A runout, variant 2
AHL1- 4940-B-1S TML-S ISide B runout, variant 2
TRL 3524 - ASide A center label
TRL 3524 - BSide B center label
AHL1 4940 A2 G. (CR)Side A
AHL1 4940 B2 G. (CR)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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Barbados | RCA AHL1-4940First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | RCA Victor AHL1-4940First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | RCA PL 84940 / RCA PL 84940-8First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | RCA PL 84940First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | Italy | RCA PL 84940First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | RCA RPL 8234First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | RCA RPL 8234First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Portugal | RCA PL 14940First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Taiwan | RCA Victor 8045First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Zambia | RCA TRL 3524 / RCA Victor TRL 3524First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Zimbabwe | RCA TRL 3524 / RCA Victor TRL 3524First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | RCA Victor AHL1-4940 / RCA AHL1-4940First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | South Africa | RCA Victor TRL 3524First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australia | Starcall Victor APL 14940 / Starcall Victor APL1-4940First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australia & New Zealand | Starcall Records APL 14940 / RCA Victor APL14940First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Sonopress 13-0823LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
16 vinyl pressings of The Great Pretender are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, South Africa, Australia, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is RCA Victor AHL1-4940, released January 23, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AHL1-4940, TRL 3524, APL 14940, PL 84940) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AHL1 4940-A-1S TML-X I A4 M and AHL1- 4940-B-1S TML-X I A1 P. 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.
