Vinyl pressings
by Icehouse · 1984
Taking The Town was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
C O O L X 3 A // 1 ▽ 4 2 0 C 11 4 timtom · cbsRunout A side
C O O L X 3 B // 3 ▽ 4 2 0 T 11 1Runout B side
COOLX 3-ALabel A side
COOLX 3-BLabel B side
COOL 3 A//1▽420 T 1 1 2 timtom cbsSide A runout
COOL 3 B//1▽420 T 1 1 2 BILBO TAPE OneSide B runout
MX208881 RRSP.733-1 DB 301Side A runout, hand-etched
MX208882 RRSP733-2 DB 301Side B runout, hand-etched
MX208881Side A label
MX208882Side B label
MX208883 RRT611-1 DBSide 1 Runout etched.
MX208884 RET611-2 DBSide 2 Runout etched.
MX208883Side 1 Label.
MX208884Side 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Europe | Chrysalis 106 492 / Chrysalis 106 492-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Chrysalis 601 324First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Chrysalis 106 492 / Chrysalis 106 492-100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Regular Records RRT 611First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Regular Records RRSP733 / Regular Records RRSP 733First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Chrysalis CHS 27 85First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Spain | Chrysalis CHS-2785First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Chrysalis COOLX 3 / Chrysalis Cool x 3First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Chrysalis Cool 3 / Chrysalis COOL 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Chrysalis COOLX 3First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Chrysalis AS 1859 / CBS AS 1859First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Regular Records RRT 61112", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Australia | Regular Records RRSP733 / Regular Records RRSP 733First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | Regular Records RRT 611First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Japan | Chrysalis WWS-17504First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
16 vinyl pressings of Taking The Town are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Australia, Japan and more. One of them is Chrysalis COOLX 3.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use COOLX 3, Cool 3, AS 1859, RRSP733) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, C O O L X 3 A // 1 ▽ 4 2 0 C 11 4 timtom · cbs and C O O L X 3 B // 3 ▽ 4 2 0 T 11 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.
