Vinyl pressings
by Madness · 1981
7 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.
31 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 18 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.
SEEZ 39-A2 ARUN - TAKEAWAY THE NO YOU FIRST THOUGHT OFVar 2: Runout A, etched
SEEZ 39 B1 ANSWER IS SEVENVar 2: Runout B, etched
SEEZ 39-A5 ARUN - TAKEAWAY THE NO YOU FIRST THOUGHT OFVar 3: Runout A, etched
SEEZ 39-B5 ANSWER IS SEVENVar 3: Runout B, etched
SEEZ 39 A3 ARUN TAKE AWAY THE NO YOU FIRST THOUGHT MPOA-Side Runout
SEEZ 39 B3 ANSWER IS SEVEN MPOB-Side Runout
SEEZ 39 A-6 Made in Germany TAKEAWAY THE NO YOU FIRST THOUGHT OFF ARUN IIIVariant 1, side A runout, stamped & etched
SEEZ 39 B-6 / 81 Made in Germany SEEZ 39-A2 - TAKEAWAY THE NO YOU FIRST THOUGHT OFVariant 1, side B runout, stamped & etched
SEEZ 39 A-6 Made in Germany TAKE AWAY THE NO YOU FIRST THOUGHT OFF ARUN IIIVariant 2, side A runout, stamped & etched
SEEZ 39 B-6 / 81 Made in Germany ANSWER IS SEVEN ARUN IIIVariant 2, side B runout, stamped & etched
SEEZ 39A 8 PAG ARUN - TAKE AWAY THE NO YOU FIRST THOUGHT OFRunout A
SEEZ 39B8 PAG ARUN - ANSWER IS SEVENRunout B
SEEZ 39 A1 1 7 Ʌ ARUNRunout side A, etched
SEEZ 39-B2 1 Ʌ ɅRunout side B, etched
SEEZ 39 A3 ARUN TAKE AWAY THE NO YOU FIRST THOUGHT MPOA-Side runout, variant 1
SEEZ 39 B3X ANSWER IS SEVEN MPOB-Side runout, variant 1
SEEZ 39 A3 ARUN TAKE AWAY THE NO YOU FIRST THOUGHT MPOA-Side runout, variant 2
SEEZ 39 B3 ANSWER IS SEVEN MPOB-Side runout, 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 | Australia | Stiff Records L 37692First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | Stiff Records STFL.37692LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Belgium | Stiff Records SEEZ 39First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Belgium | Stiff Records SEEZ 39First yearLP, Album, 7", Single Sided, Promo, All Media, Limited Edition · Promo, Limited | LP, Album, 7", Single Sided, Promo, All Media, Limited Edition · Promo, Limited |
| 1981 | Finland | Stiff Records SEEZ 39First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Stiff Records 531506First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.24944 AP / Stiff Records 6.24944First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1981 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.24944 AP / Stiff Records 6.24944First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | Stiff Records 15 516 / Stiff Records 15.516First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | Stiff Records 15 516First yearLP, White Label | LP, White Label |
| 1981 | Hong Kong | Stiff Records SEEZ 39First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Iceland | Stiff Records SEEZ 39First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Israel | Stiff Records SEEZ 39First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Stiff Records SEEZ 39First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | Stiff Records SEEZ 39First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Europe | Size 12 Records SIZE100310", Album, Reissue, Stereo | 10", Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2010 | Europe | Size 12 Records SIZE100310", Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 10", Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2013 | UK | Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV074LPLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2013 | UK | Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV074LPLP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | UK | Union Square Music SALVOLP07LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
53 vinyl pressings of 7 are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1981 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Stiff Records SEEZ 39.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SEEZ 39, L 37692, 531506, 6.24944 AP) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SEEZ 39-A2 ARUN - TAKEAWAY THE NO YOU FIRST THOUGHT OF and SEEZ 39 B1 ANSWER IS SEVEN. 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.
