Vinyl pressings
by Peter Frampton · 1976
Show Me The Way was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. 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 1976, 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.
AMS 7218 A1 ⋀ A PORKY PRIME CUTRunout A-side, variant 1
AMS 7218 B1 ⋀ MASTER ROOMRunout B-side, variant 1
AMS 7218 A1 A PORKY PRIME CUT 1 ERunout A-side, variant 2
AMS 7218 B1 G MASTERROOM ERunout B-side, variant 2
AMS 7218 A1A Side, machine stamped
A PORKY PRIME CUTA Side, etched
AMS 7218 B1B Side, machine stamped
MASTER ROOMB Side, etched
AMS 7218 A1 ⋀Runout, A-side, stamped
A PORKY PRIME CUTRunout, A-side, etched
AMS 7218 B1 ⋀Runout, B-side, stamped
MASTER ROOMRunout, B-side, etched
AMS-7218-A1 A PORKY PRIME CUT O1 ∴Runout A-side
AMS 7218-B1 MASTERROOM C ∴Runout B-side
AMS 7218-ALabel side A
AMS 7218-BLabel side B
11988-S P1 TML-SSide A runout
11989-S P2 TML-MSide B runout
11988-SSide A label
11989-SSide B label
11988-S M1 [etched] TML-M [stamped] MR [stamped in circle] △98908 [etched]Side A runout
11989-S M1 [etched] MR [stamped in circle] △98908-X [etched]Side B runout
11988-SSide A label
11989-SSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Argentina | A&M Records 1297First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Argentina | A&M Records 11988 SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Barbados | A&M Records 1795-SFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Brazil | A&M Records S7AM-5162First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1795First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1795-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1795-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1976 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1795-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Chile | A&M Records 11097First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Chile | A&M Records 11988-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | A&M Records 16 802 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Greece | A&M Records AM-1795First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Italy | A&M Records AM 45091First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Japan | A&M Records CM-2004First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Mexico | A&M Records AM-1-041First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
39 vinyl pressings of Show Me The Way are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Australia, Argentina and more. One of them is A&M Records AMS 7218.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMS 7218, 1795-S, AM-1795, K-6310) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMS 7218 A1 ⋀ A PORKY PRIME CUT and AMS 7218 B1 ⋀ MASTER ROOM. 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.
