Vinyl pressings
by Michael McDonald · 1982
If That's What It Takes 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.
30 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 20 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.
+ SLM △2074 [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] B-16964•SH6 1-23703-A SH-6Runout A variant 1
1-23704-B S2 [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] B-16965-S2 △2074-X + SLMRunout B variant 1
+ SLM △2074 [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] B-16964•SH5 1-23703-A SH-5Runout A variant 2
1-23703-B S1 [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] B-16965-S1 △2074-X (2) + SLMRunout B variant 2
1-23703-A LW-5 • 2 ✲Side A run out
1-23703-B LW-4 • 1 ✲Side B run out
1-23703-A SR-3 SP 1-1Side A variant 1
0-1sml.l 1-23704-B S2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-16965-S2 △·2074-X + SLMSide B variant 1
1-23703-A SR.4 SP 1-1Side A variant 2
1-23704-B S1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-16965-S1 SP △ 2074-X 0-1 sml-1 + SLMSide B variant 2
1-23703-A WW3 #5 -------◁Side A
1-23703-B WW1 #2 -------◁Side B
1-23703 A JW-3 0Side A runout, variant 1
1-23703-B JW1 #3Side B runout, variant 1
1-23703-A JW 2 #1Side A runout, variant 2
1-23703-B JW1 #2Side B runout, variant 2
W123703A G1B CBS GA.CheT B8 01GSide A runout
W1-23703B G1A C.B.S. GA CheT A3 G1Side B runout
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 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 123703First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 26.079First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 37031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records WB K 57 018 / Warner Bros. Records 23703-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records K 57 018 / Warner Bros. Records WB K 57 018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | France | Warner Bros. Records WB K 57 018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB K 57 018 / Warner Bros. Records WB 57 018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB K 57 018 / Warner Bros. Records 1-23703First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | Warner Bros. Records 57018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Greece | Warner Bros. Records 57018LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Iceland | Warner Bros. Records 9 23703-1 / Steinar Hf. 57018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records WB K 57 018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-11238First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-11238First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Malaysia | Warner Bros. Records 23703-1 / WEA -First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Warner Bros. Records WB K 57 018 / Warner Bros. Records K 57 018LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
36 vinyl pressings of If That's What It Takes are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1982 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 9 23703-1, released August 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9 23703-1, 1-23703, W1-23703, K 57 018) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, + SLM △2074 [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] B-16964•SH6 1-23703-A SH-6 and 1-23704-B S2 [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] B-16965-S2 △2074-X + SLM. 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.
