Vinyl pressings
by Spandau Ballet · 1981
Muscle Bound 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.
16 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 7 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.
CHS 122509 A // 1 ∇ E TH 1 1 1 1 TOWN HOUSERunout, A-side, variant 1
CHS 122509 B // 2 ∇ E TH 1 1 8 TOWN HOUSERunout, B-side, variant 1
CHS 122509 A // 1 ∇ E TH 1 1 4 TOWN HOUSERunout, A-side, variant 2
CHS 122509 B // 2 ∇ E TH 1 1 2 TOWN HOUSERunout, B-side, variant 2
CHS 2509 A // 1▽E THRunout side A, variant 1
CHS 2509 B // 1▽E THRunout side B, variant 1
CHS 2509 A // 1▽E TH TOWN HOUSE 1 1 13Runout side A, variant 2
CHS 2509 B // 1▽E TH 1 3 TOWN HOUSE 1Runout side B, variant 2
634 CHS 2509 A POLYGRAM TOWNHOUSEA1-side runout
634 CHS 2509 B POLYGRAM TOWNHOUSEA2-side runout
CHS 2509 - A1-2Runout, side A1, etched. Variant 1
CHS 2509 - A2-2 DAMONTRunout, side A2, etched. Variant 1
CHS 2509 - A1-2 DAMONTRunout, side A1, etched. Variant 2
CHS 2509 - A2-2 DAMONTRunout, side A2, etched. Variant 2
634 CHS 2509 A POLYGRAM A 7 TOWNHOUSEA1-side runout stamped / etched
634 CHS 2509 B POLYGRAM A A TOWNHOUSEA2-side runout stamped / etched
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 | Chrysalis K-8292First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Chrysalis 103 125 / Chrysalis 103 125-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Reformation CHS 2509 / Chrysalis CHS 2509First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 103 125 / Chrysalis 103 125-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 103 125 / Chrysalis 103 125-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Chrysalis K-8292First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Sweden | Chrysalis CHS 2509 / Chrysalis CHS-2509First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | UK | Reformation CHS 2509 / Chrysalis CHS 2509First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Reformation CHS 2509 / Chrysalis CHS 2509First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Reformation CHS 2509 / Chrysalis CHS 2509First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Reformation CHS 2509 / Chrysalis CHS 2509First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Reformation CHS 2509 / Chrysalis CHS 2509First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Reformation CHS 2509 / Chrysalis CHS 2509First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Reformation CHS 12 2509 / Chrysalis CHS 12 2509First year12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1981 | UK | Reformation CHS 12 2509 / Chrysalis CHS 12 2509First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
16 vinyl pressings of Muscle Bound are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, Germany, Ireland and more. One of them is Reformation CHS 12 2509, released March 23, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHS 12 2509, CHS 2509, K-8292, 103 125) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHS 122509 A // 1 ∇ E TH 1 1 1 1 TOWN HOUSE and CHS 122509 B // 2 ∇ E TH 1 1 8 TOWN HOUSE. 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.
