Vinyl pressings
by Peter Frampton · 1981
Breaking All The Rules 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.
27 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 19 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-03722-B-CT4 A- Side 1TSide One Etched, variant 1
SP-03722-A-CT4 B-Side T1Side Two Etched, variant 1
SP-03722-B-CT3 A- Side 1TSide One Etched, variant 2
SP-03722-A-CT3 B-Side 1TSide Two Etched, variant 2
P STERLINGStamped Both Sides
SP-03722-A-CP1Side A Runout variant 1
SP-03722-B-CP1Side B Runout variant 1
SP-03722- B̶-̶C̶P̶1̶ -A-CP1Side A Runout variant 2
SP-03722-BA-CS2 A1 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ \SSide A Runout - etched, except sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ is stamped. [The B before the A is scratched out]
SP-03722-AB-CS1 A3 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ \SSide B Runout -etched, except sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ is stamped. [The A before the B is scratched out]
SP-03722-BA-CS3 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ \SSide A Runout variant 1
SP-03722-AB-CS1 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ \SSide B Runout variant 1
SP-03722-B̷ -CT4 A- Side D6 1TSide A Etched
SP-03722-A̷ B-CT5 A3 1TSide B Etched
SP 020104 AA side runout groove, stamped
SP 020104 BB side runout groove, stamped
SP-020104/AA side label
SP-020104/BB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | A&M Records 20.201First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | A&M Records L 37429First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | A&M Records 170.060First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | A&M Records 170.060First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1981 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3722First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3722LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | Colombia | A&M Records 106-0023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | A&M Records AMLK 63722 / A&M Records SP-3722First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | A&M Records AMLK 63722First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Israel | A&M Records AMLK63722First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | A&M Records AMLK 63722First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | A&M Records AMLK 63722First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28032First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28032First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Mexico | A&M Records AMLS-48040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
29 vinyl pressings of Breaking All The Rules are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-3722.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-3722, AMLK 63722, 20.201, L 37429) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP-03722-B-CT4 A- Side 1T and SP-03722-A-CT4 B-Side T1. 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.
