Vinyl pressings
by Simple Minds · 1989
The Amsterdam EP was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 10 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.
SMXTR 6 A - 1U - 1 - 1 DRunout side A, machine-stamped; variant 1
SMXTR 6 B - 2U - 1 - DRunout side B, machine-stamped; variant 1
SMXTR 6 A-1U-1- DRunout side A, machine-stamped; variant 2
SMXTR 6 B-2U-1- DRunout side B, machine-stamped; variant 2
SMX 6 A-2U-1- D S̶M̶Side A runout
SMX 6 AA-1U-1- DSide AA runout
SMX 6-ASide A label
SMX 6-AASide AA label
SMX 6 A-1U-1-1- DSide A runout
SMX 6 AA-1U-1-1- DSide AA runout
SMXT 6 A- 2U - 1 - DRunout, A side
SMXT 6 AA - 1U - 1 - 2 DRunout, B side
SMXT 6-ALabel, A side
SMXT 6-BLabel, B side
SMXT 6 A-2U-1-2 DSide A runout groove etching
SMXT 6 AA-3U-1- DSide B runout groove etching
SMXT 6-ASide A label
SMXT 6-AASide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australasia | Virgin SMXR 6 / Virgin SMXTR 6First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1989 | Australasia | Virgin SMX 6 / Virgin 112 878-100First year7", EP | 7", EP |
| 1989 | Australia | Virgin SMXT 6 / Virgin 612 878-213First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1989 | Australia | Virgin SMXT 6 / Virgin 612 878-213First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1989 | Canada | Virgin VSX1519First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1989 | Europe | Virgin 112 887 / Virgin SMX 6First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Virgin 612 887 / Virgin 612 887-213First year12", Single, EP, 45 RPM | 12", Single, EP, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Europe | Virgin SMXTR 6 / Virgin SMXTR6First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1989 | Greece | Virgin VG 2152 Z / Virgin VG 2155 ZFirst year12", EP, Stereo | 12", EP, Stereo |
| 1989 | Ireland | Virgin SMX 6First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1989 | Italy | Virgin SMXTR 6First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1989 | Italy | Virgin SMXT 6First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1989 | Italy | Virgin SMX 6First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1989 | Italy | Virgin SMX 6First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1989 | Italy | Virgin SMX 6First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | France | Virgin 905687", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
27 vinyl pressings of The Amsterdam EP are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1989 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, Australasia, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Virgin SMXTR 6, released November 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SMXTR 6, SMX 6, SMXT 6, DJSMXT 6) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SMXTR 6 A - 1U - 1 - 1 D and SMXTR 6 B - 2U - 1 - D. 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.
