Vinyl pressings
by Garland Jeffreys · 1979
Matador was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 6 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.
19-7628-1A-1Runout side A, variant 1
19-7628-1B-1Runout side B, variant 1
19-7628-1A-1 CRunout side A, variant 2
19-7628-1B-1 BRunout side B, variant 2
11-7628-1A-1 BRunout side A
11-7628-1B-1 BRunout side B
AMS 12.7628-1Label side A
AMS 12.7628-2Label side B
19-7628-1A-1 II Made in Germany A HPD 020Variant 1: Full runout info side A
19-7628-1A-1 Made in Germany A HPDVariant 1: Runout side A, stamped
II 020Variant 1: Runout side A, etched
19-7628-1B-1 A II, Made in Germany HPD 020Variant 1: Full runout info side B
CBS . AMS . 7628 ASide A runout
CBS . AMS . 7628 BSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 7628First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 12.7628First year12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1979 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 7628First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | A&M Records AMS 7628First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | France | A&M Records AMS 7628First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | A&M Records AMS 7628First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | A&M Records AMS 7628First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Portugal | A&M Records pam 2244 fFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | US | A&M Records 2244 / A&M Records 2244-SFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Spain | CBS AMS 76287", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Spain | CBS AMS 76287", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of Matador are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Europe, US, France, Germany and more. One of them is A&M Records AMS 7628.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMS 7628, AMS 12.7628, 2244, pam 2244 f) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 19-7628-1A-1 and 19-7628-1B-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.
