Vinyl pressings
by Harold Budd · 1980
Ambient 2 (The Plateaux Of Mirror) 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.
9 pressings came out in 1980, 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.
EGAMB 002 A//2∇E420 1 1 1 URunout side A, variant 1
EGAMB 002 B//3∇E420 1 1 IRunout side B, variant 1
EGAMB 002 A//2∇E420 1 1 1 2Runout side A, variant 2
EGAMB 002 B//3∇E420 1 1 6Runout side B, variant 2
EGS-202-A HuB STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
EGS-202-B HuB STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
P̶V̶C̶ ̶7̶9̶1̶8̶ ̶A̶ EGS-202-A HuB STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
P̶V̶C̶ ̶7̶9̶1̶8̶ ̶B̶ EGS-202-B HuB STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
MFA-1321A A- 2 - 1 1 1 + U W C FKSide A runout, stamped
MFA-1321B A - 1 - 1 1 1 +Side B runout, stamped
MPF-1321A A-2-1 EC3Side A runout, variant 1
MPF-1321B A-1- ̶8̶9Side B runout, variant 1
MPF-1321A A-1-3 IHGOSide A runout, variant 2
MPF-1321B A-1-4Side B runout, variant 2
EGED A̶M̶B̶ ∙ 202 ∙ A 2 SNB Al QA etched
EGED A̶M̶B̶ 202B2 2 SNB QB etched
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 | Canada | Editions EG EGED 202First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Polydor 2335 205First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Polydor 2335 205First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Editions EG MPF 1321 / Editions EG MPF1321First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Editions EG 2335 205First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Editions EG EGAMB 002 / Polydor EGAMB 002First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Editions EG EGS 202First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Editions EG MPF 1321 / Editions EG MPF1321First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Editions EG MPF 1321 / Editions EG MPF1321First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | France | Editions EG ED AMB 002 / Polydor 2335 205LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | Editions EG 2311 165LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 1982 | Germany | Editions EG 2311 165LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Editions EG EGED 18 / Polydor 2335 205LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | UK | Editions EG EGED 18 / Polydor 2335 205LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1984 | UK | Editions EG EGED 18 / Polydor 2335 205LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Ambient 2 (The Plateaux Of Mirror) are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1980 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Japan, Canada and more. One of them is Editions EG EGAMB 002.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EGAMB 002, EGS 202, MPF 1321, EGED 202) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EGAMB 002 A//2∇E420 1 1 1 U and EGAMB 002 B//3∇E420 1 1 I. 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.
