Vinyl pressings
by Horse · 1990
Careful was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1990, the album's first year. 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.
CL 587 A-1U-1-1 JARunout side A, stamped [JA etched]
CL 587 B-1U-1-1Runout side B, stamped
CL 587ALabel side A
CL 587BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Capitol Records 12CL 587First year12" | 12" |
| 1990 | UK | Capitol Records CL 587 / Echo Chamber 20 4043 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1997 | Germany | ZYX Music ZYX 8622-1212", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1997 | UK | Stress Records 12STR 7912", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1997 | UK | Stress Records 12 STR 79DJ12", Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 12", Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1997 | UK | Stress Records 12 STR P 7912", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1997 | UK | Stress Records Horse 112", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1997 | UK | Stress Records 12STR 79B12", Single Sided, White Label | 12", Single Sided, White Label |
| 1997 | UK | Stress Records 12STR 7912", Single Sided, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 12", Single Sided, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1997 | Germany | ZYX Music ZYX 8622-1212", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
10 vinyl pressings of Careful are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 1990 and 1997.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in UK. One of them is Capitol Records CL 587, released October 29, 1990.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CL 587, 12CL 587) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CL 587 A-1U-1-1 JA and CL 587 B-1U-1-1. 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.
