Vinyl pressings
by Spandau Ballet · 1980
To Cut A Long Story Short was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1980, 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 122473 A // 2 ∇ E UT 1 1 3Runout, A-side, variant 1
CHS 122473 B // 2 ∇ E UT 1 1 4Runout, B-side, variant 1
CHS 12 2473 A // 2 ∇ E UT 1 1 9Runout, A-side, variant 2
CHS 12 2473 B // 2 ∇ E UT 1 1 5Runout, B-side, variant 2
CHS122473 A//2∇E UT 1 1 2 [Utopia lyre symbol]Side A stamped / etched runout
CHS122473 B//2∇E UT 1 1 1 [Utopia lyre symbol]Side B stamped / etched runout
CHS 2473 A//1∇EUT 1 2 8Run-out side A - variant 1 - stamped
CHS 2473 B//1∇EUT 1 3 1 2Run-out side B - variant 1 - stamped
CHS 2473 A//1∇EUT 1 1 3 5Run-out side A - variant 2 - stamped
CHS 2473 B//1∇EUT 1 2 1 9Run-out side B - variant 2 - stamped
CHS 2473 - A2Run-out Side A
CHS 2473 - B2Run-out Side B
Ʊ CHS 2473 A//1∇EUT 1 1 1Run-out Side A - stamped, 'lyre' symbol etched
CHS 2473 B//1∇ET 1 1 2 RAYRun-out Side B - stamped, tag etched
CHS 2473 A//1∇EUT 1 1 9Runout A, stamped
CHS 2473 B//1∇EUT 1 1 1 1Runout B, stamped
[lyre symbol]Runout A&B, hand 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Chrysalis K-8152 / Chrysalis CHS-2473First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | Chrysalis 102 647 / Chrysalis 102 647-100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Ireland | Reformation CHS 2473 / Chrysalis CHS 2473First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Japan | Chrysalis WWS-17097First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Japan | Chrysalis WWS-17097First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Chrysalis K8152 / Chrysalis K-8152First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1980 | Spain | Chrysalis CHS 2473 / Chrysalis CHS-2473First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Reformation CHS 2473 / Chrysalis CHS 2473First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Reformation CHS 2473 / Chrysalis CHS 2473First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | UK | Reformation CHS 2473 / Chrysalis CHS 2473First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Reformation CHS 2473 / Chrysalis CHS 2473First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | UK | Reformation CHS 2473 / Chrysalis CHS 2473First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Reformation CHS 12 2473 / Chrysalis CHS 12 2473First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | UK | Reformation CHS 2473 / Chrysalis CHS 2473First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Reformation CHS2473 / Chrysalis CHS2473First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Parlophone 0190295156848 / Reformation 019029515684812", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
29 vinyl pressings of To Cut A Long Story Short are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1980 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Australia, Germany, Ireland and more. One of them is Reformation CHS 12 2473, released November 3, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHS 12 2473, CHS 2473, CHS2473, K-8152) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHS 122473 A // 2 ∇ E UT 1 1 3 and CHS 122473 B // 2 ∇ E UT 1 1 4. 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.
