Vinyl pressings
by Jimmy Ruffin · 1966
What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year, in 8 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.
AII-184324 T4KM-4441-1 xA-Side Runout Etching, variant 1
ALI-185308 T4KM-4438-1 xB-Side Runout Etching, variant 1
AII-184324 T4KM-4441-1 B ⋉A-Side Runout Etching, variant 2
ALI-185308 T4KM-4438-1 ⋉B-Side Runout Etching, variant 2
AII-184324 (MR) T4KM-4441-1 Δ61060 [sideways 'S']Runout Side A
ALI-185308 (MR) T4KM-4438-1 Δ61061 [sideways 'S']Runout Side B
AII-184324 Nashville Matrix 10 T4KM-4441-1A-side runout
ALI-185308 Nashville Matrix 10 T4KM-4438-1B-side runout
AII-184324A-side label
ALI-185308B-side label
AII-184324 T4KM-4441-1 B ARP XA and B-side runouts
AII-184324A and B-side labels
AII-184324 ∆61060 SSide A runout etched
MR(encircled) T4KM-4441 - 1Side A runout stamped
ALI-185308 ∆61061 SSide B runout etched
MR(encircled) T4KM-4438 - 1Side B runout stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-144First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1966 | Canada | Tamla Motown S-35022First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1966 | Italy | Tamla Motown 45TM 8001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown GO 45.262First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1966 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown MSS 2136First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1966 | Norway | Tamla Motown GO 45.262 / Tamla Motown GO 45,262First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 5777", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1966 | US | Soul S 35022First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | US | Soul S 35022First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1966 | US | Soul S-35022First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1966 | US | Soul S-35022First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1966 | US | Soul S 35022First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1966 | US | Soul S-35022First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1966 | US | Soul S 35022First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Soul S 35022First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | US | Motown M 1329F A7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Motown M 1329F A7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Motown M 1329F7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Canada | Motown M 1329F7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Motown M 1329F7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | US | Motown M 1329F7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Tamla Motown S-35.0227", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| ? | Argentina | Tamla Motown S-35.0227", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| ? | Canada | Motown M1329F7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 5777", Single, Repress | 7", Single, Repress |
| ? | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 5777", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
32 vinyl pressings of What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1966 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, UK, Netherlands, Australia and more. One of them is Soul S-35022, released June 3, 1966.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S-35022, S 35022, TMG 577, GO 45.262) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AII-184324 T4KM-4441-1 x and ALI-185308 T4KM-4438-1 x. 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.
