Vinyl pressings
by Rainbow · 1981
Difficult To Cure 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.
40 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 21 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.
POLD 5036 A//1▽EC 11 4 TimTom - cbsSide A runout, variant 1
POLD 5036 B//2▽EC 11 4 TY - CBSSide B runout, variant 1
POLD 5036 A//1▽EC 11 2 TimTom - cbsSide A runout, variant 2
POLD 5036 B//2▽EC 12 6 TY - CBSSide B runout, variant 2
603 POLD 5036 A DM POLYGRAM timtom - cbsRunout side A, variant 1
603 POLD 5036 B DM POLYGRAM TY - cbsRunout side B, variant 1
603 POLD 5036 A POLYGRAM timtom - cbs VRunout side A, variant 2
603 POLD 5036 B DM POLYGRAM TY - cbs VRunout side B variant 2
STERLING gc. B-1 ᐉ PD • 1 • 6316 • AS • K1Side A runout variant 1
STERLING gc. A-2 ᐉ PD • 1 • 6316 • BS • KSide B runout variant 1
STERLING gc. A-1 ᐉ PD • 1 • 6316 • AS • KSide A runout variant 2
STERLING gc. A-2 ᐉ PD • 1 • 6316 • AS • KSide B runout variant 2
PD • I • 6316-AS • PW (PR) STERLING ℊcRunout, side A, etched, variant 1
PD • I • 6316 • BS-PW STERLING ℊc (PR)Runout Side B, etched, variant 1
PD • I • 6316-AS • PW (PR)P STERLING ℊcRunout, side A, variant 2
PD • I • 6316 • BS-PW STERLING ℊc • (PR)PRunout, side B, variant 2
PD-1-6316-AS-PRC-C1-1-1 STERLINGRunout side 1
PD-1-6316-BS-PRC-C1-1-1 STERLINGRunout side 2
20235 PD.1.6316A PRC-R1-1-1 STERLINGRunout A, etched except STERLING - stamped
20235 PD1 6316-BS PRC-R1-1-1 3 STERLINGRunout B, etched except STERLING - stamped
PD-1-6316 ALabel A
PD-1-6316 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australasia | Polydor 2391 506First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Austria | Polydor 2391 506First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Austria | Polydor 32 743LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | Brazil | Polydor 2391 506First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6316First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6316First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Ecuador | Polydor L.P.-75212 / Polydor PD-1-6316First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Ecuador | Polydor LP-75212First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Polydor 2490 158First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2391 506First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 27 366-4LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 32 743 7LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2391 506First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | Polydor 2391506First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Guatemala | Polydor 2391 506LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Spain | Polydor 424 619-1 / Polydor 24 90 158LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue |
| 1990 | Spain | Polydor 825 383-1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1994 | Russia | Santa Records П94 RAT 30850LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Europe | Back On Black RCV024LPLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2010 | Europe | Back On Black RCV024LPLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | UK & Europe | Polydor 5353579LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Polydor 2391 506LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | Polydor 8250383-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Polydor 2391 506LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2391 506LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | Polydor 800 018-1 / Polydor POLD5036LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Polydor 2391 506LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | Polydor 2391 506LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Spain | Polydor 24 90 158LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
69 vinyl pressings of Difficult To Cure are listed here, from 29 countries, released between 1981 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is Polydor POLD 5036.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLD 5036, PD-1-6316, 28MM 0018, 2391 506) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLD 5036 A//1▽EC 11 4 TimTom - cbs and POLD 5036 B//2▽EC 11 4 TY - CBS. 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.
