Vinyl pressings
by Paul Simon · 1986
You Can Call Me Al was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
37 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 17 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.
SP 7-28667- A -SR 3Runout side A, variant 1
7-28667- B -SR 2Runout side B, variant 1
STERLING SP728667-A-SR3Runout side A, variant 2
STERLING SRC [logo] 7-28[Scratched out "8"]667-B-SR3Runout side B, variant 2
7-28667- A -SH3 ɑ R-16291-SH3 ∆13682 1-1 STERLINGA Runout
7-28667- B -SH3 ɑ R-16292-SH1 ∆13682-X 1-1 STERLINGB Runout
7-28667-AA Label
7-28667-BB Label
STERLING SP 7-28667-A-SR 3Both runouts etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
PRO A1 2503-SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-24765-SH1 △13683 1-1 STERLINGSide A runout
PRO A2 2503-SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-247656-SH1 △13683-X 1-1 STERLINGSide B runout
W 8667-A MT 1 DAMONT TI_DRunout side A
W 8667-B MT 1 DAMONT NRunout side B
W 8667 A*Label side A
W 8667 B*Label side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 7-28667First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 7-28667First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 86677First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 86677First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 86677First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Ecuador | Warner Bros. Records 45-80128First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 920 536-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 928 667-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | France | Warner Bros. Records 928 667-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 928667-7First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 928 667-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Guatemala | Warner Bros. Records 7-28667First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Ireland | Warner Bros. Records W 8667 / Warner Bros. Records 928 667-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records 7-28667First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records PRO-158First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
37 vinyl pressings of You Can Call Me Al are listed here, from 17 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 9 28667-7, released July 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9 28667-7, 28667-7, 7-28667, PRO-A-2503) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP 7-28667- A -SR 3 and 7-28667- B -SR 2. 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.
