Vinyl pressings
by Four Tops · 1968
If I Were A Carpenter was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 17 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.
278M18 W4KM-3595-1-B φ 4 ARPA-Side Runout Etching
4 WOW-272M02-1 W4KM-3596-2-B 272M02-1B-Side Runout Etching
HKU 278M18A-Side Label
WOW 272M02B-Side Label
HKU- 278M18 △71116 W4KM-3549-1A-side runout
WOW-272M02-RE △71017 W4KM-3596-2B-side runout
HFU- 278M18 10 Nashville Matrix 4 75 W4KM-3549-1-AA-side runout
WOW-272M02 75 10 Nashville Matrix W4KM-3596-2-AB-side runout
HKU 278M18Label, Both Sides
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-8347First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-8347First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | Canada | Tamla Motown M-1124First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Denmark | Tamla Motown TMG 647First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | France | Tamla Motown FT 125First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Germany | Tamla Motown GO 25752First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | India | Tamla Motown TMG. 647First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Ireland | Tamla Motown TMG(I) 647First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown GO 25.752First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown TMM.675First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Norway | Tamla Motown TMG 647First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Norway | Tamla Motown TMG 647First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1968 | Portugal | Tamla Motown TLM 501First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Rhodesia | Tamla Motown TMJ 164First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1968 | South Africa | Tamla Motown TMJ 164First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Tamla Motown TMS-05307", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| ? | Germany | Tamla Motown GO 257527", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Nigeria | Tamla Motown TMG 6477", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
31 vinyl pressings of If I Were A Carpenter are listed here, from 19 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Motown M-1124, released April 11, 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M-1124, M 1124, TMG 647, TMG647) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 278M18 W4KM-3595-1-B φ 4 ARP and 4 WOW-272M02-1 W4KM-3596-2-B 272M02-1. 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.
