Vinyl pressings
by Jermaine Jackson · 1980
Let's Get Serious 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.
27 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 17 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.
M7-928R1-A-Re-1- ̶1̶8̶A̶ 13A AZ CB AKKSide A runout variant 1
M7-928R1-B-Re-1- ̶1̶8̶A̶ 13A AZ CB AKKSide B runout variant 1
M7-928R1-Side A- ̶1̶8̶A̶ 13A AZ CB AKFSide A runout variant 2
M7-928R1-Side B ̶1̶8̶A̶ 13A AZ CB AKFSide B runout variant 2
M7-928R1-A-Re-1-18A(scratched out) 12A AZcBSide 1 etched
M7-928R1-B-Re-1-18B(scratched out) 12B AZcBSide 2 etched
M8-928M1A-1ASide A runout, stamped
M8-928M1B-1BSide B runout, etched
M7-928-R1-A-R1-Side A-18A AZcBSide 1 etched
M7-928-R1-Side B-18B AZcBSide 2 etched
STML 12127 A-1 1Side A, runout, stamped, variant 1
STML 12127 B-1 7 1Side B, runout, stamped, variant 1
STML.12127ASide A, label, in parentheses
STML.1217BSide B, label in parentheses
STML 12127 - A2 BILBO TA1PE W-5 KDSide A runout, etched
STML 12127 - B2 II BILBO TA1PE W-5 KDSide B runout, 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 | Australia | Motown M 7928 / Motown M7 928First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Motown M 7928 / Motown M7 928First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Motown M 928First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Motown 2C 068-63370First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Motown 1C 064-63 370First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Motown 257·15·046First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | Motown 14C 062-63370 / EMI 14C 062-63370First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Motown 3C 064 - 63370First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Motown VIP 6728First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Motown VIP 6728First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Mexico | Motown MOW-07First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Motown 1A 062-63370First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Motown 5C 062-63370 / Motown M7-928R1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Motown 1A K052Z 63955First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Motown STML 6200First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Motown M 5354 ML / Motown 5354-MLLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Motown WL 72255LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Motown 5354MLLP, Album | LP, Album |
35 vinyl pressings of Let's Get Serious are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1980 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Canada, Venezuela and more. One of them is Motown M7-928R1, released March 18, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M7-928R1, M8-928M1, STML 12127, LPS 99211) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M7-928R1-A-Re-1- ̶1̶8̶A̶ 13A AZ CB AKK and M7-928R1-B-Re-1- ̶1̶8̶A̶ 13A AZ CB AKK. 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.
