Vinyl pressings
by Joan Armatrading · 1983
Drop The Pilot was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 9 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.
AMS-8306-A1Run-out side A, etched
⋀Run-out side A, stamped
AMS-8306-B1Run-out side B, etched
TOWNHOUSERunout, side B, stamped
AMSX-8306 A1Runout etched side A
TML-M ⋀Runout stamped side A
AMSX-8306 B1Runout etched side B
5 TOWNHOUSE ⋀Runout stamped side B
AMS-8306-A1Run-out side A, etched
AMS-8306-B1Run-out side B, etched
TOWNHOUSEAdditional stamp in run-out area side B
AMS-8306 A1Run-out side A, etched
BRun-out side A, stamped
AMS-8306-B1Run-out side B, etched
TOWNHOUSERunout, side B, stamped
AMS-8306-A1Run-out side A, etched
AMS-8306-B1Run-out side B, etched
TOWNHOUSEAdditional stamp in run-out area side B
P A+M AM-02538-A-RE-1-P2 TML-SA-Side Runout Etching
P A+M AM-02538-B-RE-1-P1 TML-MB-Side Runout Etching
AM-02538-AA-Side Label
AM-02538-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | A&M Records K-9019 / A&M Records AMS 8306First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | A&M Records AM-2538First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | A&M Records AM 2538 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | A&M Records AM 2538 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 9259First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | A&M Records AMSX 8306First year12" | 12" |
| 1983 | Italy | A&M Records AMS 9259First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | A&M Records K-9019First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | South Africa | A&M Records AMRS 1407First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | South Africa | A&M Records AMRS 1407First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Spain | A&M Records AMS 2959First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | A&M Records AMS 8306First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records AM-2538First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records AM-2538First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | A&M Records AMS 8306First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
18 vinyl pressings of Drop The Pilot are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records AMS 8306, released February 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMS 8306, AMSX 8306, AM-2538, K-9019) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMS-8306-A1 and ⋀. 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.
