Vinyl pressings
by Smokey Robinson · 1981
Who's Sad 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.
9 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
T54332F-A 66304 15B XV #8 Mastered By Capitol J. LEMAYStamped / etched runout, side 1
T54332F-B 66304 15A XV #8 Mastered By Capitol J. LEMAYStamped / etched runout, side 2
T54332 F- A 66304 15B X2 #14 MASTERED BY CAPITOL J. LEMAYRunout side A, etched, except [MASTERED BY CAPITOL] stamped
T 54332 F- B 66302 15B X2 #14 MASTERED BY CAPITOL J. LEMAYRunout side B, etched, except [MASTERED BY CAPITOL] stamped
66304Label side-A
66302Label side-B
Mastered By Capitol J. LEMAYStamped / Etched On The Runout
IP 100.07.102 BZ 3031-A SSTRunout A-side
IP 100.07.102 BZ 3032-B SSTRunout B-side
BZ 3031Label A-side
BZ 3032Label B-side
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 | Australia | Motown T 54332First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Motown T-5433First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Portugal | Motown IM-26032First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | US | Tamla T 54332FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Tamla T 54332FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Tamla T 54332FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Tamla T 54332FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Tamla T 54332FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Motown 100·07·102First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Tamla T 54332X7", Single | 7", Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Who's Sad are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and more. One of them is Tamla T 54332F.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T 54332F, 100·07·102, T 54332, T-5433) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T54332F-A 66304 15B XV #8 Mastered By Capitol J. LEMAY and T54332F-B 66304 15A XV #8 Mastered By Capitol J. LEMAY. 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.
