Vinyl pressings
by Randy Crawford · 1986
Almaz 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.
11 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 5 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.
W8583T A1 W̶8̶5̶2̶3̶T̶-̶A̶ 1 MT DAMONTRunout side A etched
W8583T B1 W̶8̶5̶2̶3̶T̶-̶B̶ 1 MT DAMONTRunout side B etched
W 8583 (T) ALabel side A
W 8583 (T) BLabel side B
W8583-A MT.1 DAMONTA-side runout, etched
W8583-B MT.1 DAMONTB-side runout, etched
W 8583 ASide A label
W 8583 BSide B label
W 8583 A // 1∇ 420 V 2 2A-side runout, stamped
W 8583 B // 1∇ 420 VB-side runout, stamped
W8583 A // 1 ▽ 420 VSide A runout
W8583 B // 1 ▽ 420 VSide B runout
W 8583 A // 1∇ 420 V 1 1A-side runout, stamped
W 8583 B // 1∇ 420 V 1 1B-side runout, stamped
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 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 928 568-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 920 652-0First year12" | 12" |
| 1986 | Ireland | Warner Bros. Records W 8583First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W 8583 T / Warner Bros. Records 920 585-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W 8583 / Warner Bros. Records 928 583-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W 8583 F / Warner Bros. Records W 8583First yearSingle, Limited Edition, 7" · Limited | Single, Limited Edition, 7" · Limited |
| 1986 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W8583 / Warner Bros. Records W 8583First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W 8583First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W8583 / Warner Bros. Records W 8583First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-28402First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-28402First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 7-285837", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 928 568-77", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 928 583-77", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of Almaz are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Europe, Germany and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records W 8583 T.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use W 8583 T, W 8583, W 8583 F, W8583) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, W8583T A1 W̶8̶5̶2̶3̶T̶-̶A̶ 1 MT DAMONT and W8583T B1 W̶8̶5̶2̶3̶T̶-̶B̶ 1 MT DAMONT. 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.
