Vinyl pressings
by Malcolm McLaren · 1982
Buffalo Gals was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
41 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 15 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.
MALC 1 A ∇ 1 420 H TOWN HOUSERunout, side A , variant 1
MALC 1 B // 2 ∇ 420 H 13 TOWNHOUSERunout, side B, variant 1
MALC 1 A ▽ 1 420H 1 2 5 TOWN HOUSERunout, side A, variant 2
MALC 1 B//2▽ 420 H 1 1 TOWNHOUSE 4Runout, side B, variant 2
MALC 12 A ▽ 1 420 1 1 1 2 TOWN HOUSERunout side A, stamped, variant 1
MALC 12 B ▽ 1 420 1 1 1 2 TOWN HOUSERunout side B, stamped, variant 1
MALC 12 A ▽ 1 420 1 2 1 1 TOWN HOUSERunout side A, stamped, variant 2
MALC 12 B ▽ 1 420 1 2 1 1 TOWN HOUSERunout side B, stamped, variant 2
MALC 12 A ▽ 1 420 1 2 5 TOWN HOUSERunout, A-side, stamped, variant 1
MALC 12 B ▽ 1 420 1 1 6 TOWN HOUSERunout, B-side, stamped, variant 1
MALC 12 A ▽ 1 420 1 2 1 TOWN HOUSERunout, A-side, stamped, variant 2
MALC 12 B ▽ 1 420 1 2 1 TOWN HOUSERunout, B-side, stamped, variant 2
MALC 1 A ∇ 1 420H TOWN HOUSERunout, side A, stamped
MALC 1 B//2∇420 H 13 TOWNHOUSERunout, side B, stamped
MALC 012 A-1U-1- :Runout, Side A, stamped
MALC 012 B-1U-1-: 🙃Runout, Side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australasia | Charisma 6000 914First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Charisma CSX 3602First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Canada | Charisma CS 3602First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Ecuador | Philips 30352 / Philips 6000 914First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Ecuador | Philips 30352 / Philips 6000 914First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | France | Charisma 6400 732First year12" | 12" |
| 1982 | France | Charisma 6000 914First year7" | 7" |
| 1982 | Germany | Charisma 6400 732First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Charisma 6400-732 / Phonogram 811 408-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Germany | Charisma 6000 914First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Greece | Charisma 6000914First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Greece | Charisma 6000 914First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | Ireland | Charisma MALC 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Italy | Charisma 6400 732First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Charisma 6400 732First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | France | Virgin 95 490612" | 12" |
| 1998 | Italy | Virgin 7243 8 95540 6 912" | 12" |
| 1998 | UK & Europe | Virgin VST 1628 / Virgin 7243 8 95130 6 612", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Germany | Check Your Head Records CYH 01312", Single | 12", Single |
| 2004 | US | Island Records 0-9995012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Charisma MALC 1 / Charisma 6000 9147", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
53 vinyl pressings of Buffalo Gals are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1982 and 2004.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Australasia, Canada and more. One of them is Charisma MALC 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MALC 1, MALC 12, 0-99950, 7-99941) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MALC 1 A ∇ 1 420 H TOWN HOUSE and MALC 1 B // 2 ∇ 420 H 13 TOWNHOUSE. 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.
