Vinyl pressings
by Herb Alpert · 1987
Diamonds was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
36 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 16 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.
A&M-SP-012231-A RCA1 BJJJBJ A [❀] I A1Side A runout, variant 1
A&M-SP-012231-B RCA1 E [⁀⁀ ⁀⁀] I A2Side B runout, variant 1
A&M-SP-012231-A RCA1 [❀] BJJJBJ I A1 ASide A runout, variant 2
A&M-SP-012231-B RCA1 [⁀⁀ ⁀⁀] I A1 BSide A runout, variant 2
A&M AM-02929-A ES1 [flower] EMWSide A
AM-2929 B EMW AM 2802B ES1 A&M AM-02757 B ES1 Ⓟ AM-2779 BSide B
A&M-AM-02929 -A C1 ❀ G1 A15Runout, Side A, Etched
AM-2929 B -C2 [I̶L̶L̶E̶G̶I̶B̶L̶E̶] C2 Ⓟ 1 D G2Runout, Side B, Etched
AM-02929-ALabel Side A
AM-02929-BLabel Side B
A&M-SP-012231-A ES3 [flower] EmwA-Side Runout Etching
A&M-SP-012231-B ES1 [flower] EmwB-Side Runout Etching
SP-012231-AA-Side Label
SP-012231-BB-Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | A&M Records X 13286 / Festival Records X 13286First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1987 | Australia | A&M Records K-271First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Australia | A&M Records K-271First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Barbados | A&M Records AM-2929First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Canada | A&M Records SP-12231First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Canada | A&M Records AM-2929First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | Ecuador | A&M Records 390203-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | A&M Records 392 203-1 / A&M Records 392203-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | France | A&M Records 390 203-7 / A&M Records 390203-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | A&M Records 390 203-7 / A&M Records 390203-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | A&M Records 392 232-1First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Italy | A&M Records 390 203-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | Japan | A&M Records C12Y3183First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Mexico | A&M Records S/N692First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1987 | Philippines | A&M Records AEP-87-1207 / A&M Records SP-12231First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
36 vinyl pressings of Diamonds are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-12231.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-12231, AM-2929, SP-17475, USA 605) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A&M-SP-012231-A RCA1 BJJJBJ A [❀] I A1 and A&M-SP-012231-B RCA1 E [⁀⁀ ⁀⁀] I A2. 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.
