Vinyl pressings
by Luther Vandross · 1981
Never Too Much was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. 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 1981, the album's first year, in 10 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.
AL 37451-2A STERLING CRunout Side A, variant 1
AL 37451-1B C STERLINGRunout Side B, variant 1
AL 37451-2D STERLING 1 TRunout Side A, variant 2
BL 37451-1C STERLING 1 TRunout Side B, variant 2
P AL 37451-2J STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
P BL 37451-1G STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
P o AL37451-2A STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
P o BL37451-1A A STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
AL 37451 G2H G1 LJ APYRunout Side A, Etched - Variant 1
BL 37451-GB G1 (MP)Runout Side B, Etched - Variant 1
AL 37451 G2H G1 D18 LJ APYRunout Side A, Etched - Variant 2
BL 37451 G1A G1 F11 LJ APYRunout Side B, Etched - Variant 2
AL 37451-2H 0 A12 STERLING S1Side A Runout, etched / 0, STERLING stamped (variant 1)
BL 37451-1E A5 STERLING S2Side B Runout, etched / STERLING stamped (variant 1)
AL 37451-2L A12 [STERLING] S1Side A Runout, etched [stamped] (variant 2)
BL 37451-1F [0] A [STERLING] S1Side B Runout, etched [stamped] (variant 2)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | Epic 47.263First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4276First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | Epic EPC 85275 / Epic FE 37451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Epic 25･3P-334First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Epic ELPS 4276First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Epic EPC 85275First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC 85275First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC 85275First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Epic HE 47451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Epic PE 37451 / Epic E 37451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Epic FE 37451 / Epic E 37451First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Epic FE 37451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Epic FE 37451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Epic FE 37451First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Epic FE 37451 / Epic E 37451First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | US | Legacy 88985342901 / Epic 88985342901LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Epic EPC 85275LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
24 vinyl pressings of Never Too Much are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1981 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Jamaica, Canada and more. One of them is Epic FE 37451, released August 12, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FE 37451, HE 47451, PE 37451, EPC 85275) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 37451-2A STERLING C and AL 37451-1B C STERLING. 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.
