Vinyl pressings
by Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly · 1979
Inspiration was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 4 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.
SW-2̶̷̲̅1-11912 F-6 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRunout, Side A, variant 1
SW-1-11912 F-6 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally ✲Runout, Side B, variant 1
SW-1-11912 F 6 S̶W̶-̶2̶1̶-̶1̶1̶9̶1̶2̶ ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRunout, Side A, variant 2
SW-1-11912 F-6 5 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally ✲Runout, Side A, variant 2
SW-2̶̷̲̅ 1-11912 F-5 #4 ⎯⎯◁ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side A etched / stamped - variant 1
SW-1̶̷̲̅ 2-11912 F-5 #4 ⎯⎯◁ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side B etched / stamped - variant 1
SW-1-11912 SW-2̶̷̲̅ -11912 F-5 #2 ⎯⎯◁ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side A etched / stamped - variant 2
SW-1̶̷̲̅ 2-11912 F-5 #3 ⎯⎯◁ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side B etched / stamped - variant 2
0 SW-1-11912 F-1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL wallyA-side runout etching
SUB SW-2-11912 F-1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL wallyB-side runout etching
SW 1-11912A-side label
SW 2-11912B-side label
O O SW-1-11912 G-8 wayne. MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side A etched / stamped
O O SW-1-11912 G 7 MASTERED BY CAPITOL schreyerRunout side B etched / stamped
(SW-1-11912)Label side A
(SW-2-11912)Label side B
SW-1-11912 F-3 ✻ MASTERED BY CAPITOL wally 3 MASTERED BY CAPITOL wallyA-side runout etching
SW-2-11912 F-6 ✻ MASTERED BY CAPITOL wallyB-side runout etching
SW 1-11912A-side label
SW 2-11912B-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C 064 85830First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Capitol Records SW-11912First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Capitol Records SW-511912LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Capitol Records 5C 062-85830First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Capitol Records SW-11912First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Capitol Records SW-11912First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Capitol Records SW-11912First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Capitol Records SW-11912First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Capitol Records SW-11912First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Capitol Records SW-11912LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | France | Capitol Records 1576071LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Capitol Records SN-16305LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
12 vinyl pressings of Inspiration are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1979 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, Brazil, Canada, Netherlands. One of them is Capitol Records SW-11912.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SW-11912, 31C 064 85830, 5C 062-85830) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SW-2̶̷̲̅1-11912 F-6 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally and SW-1-11912 F-6 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally ✲. 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.
