Vinyl pressings
by Spandau Ballet · 1983
True was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
54 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 20 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.
SPAN 1 A 420 P 1 1 TimTom-cbsA side runout variant 1
SPAN 1 B 1 ▽ 420 P 11 2 1B side runout variant 1
SPAN 1 A 420 P timtom-cbsA side runout variant 2
SPAN 1 B ▽ 1 420 P 11 20 TYA side runout variant 2
SPANX 1 A ▽ 1 420 C 1 2 5 timtom-cbsRunout A-side stamped / etched variant 1
SPANX 1 B ▽ 1 420 C 1 1 3 TYRunout B-side stamped / etched variant 1
SPANX 1 A∇1 420 C 1 1 1 timtom-cbsRunout A-side stamped / etched variant 2
SPANX 1 B∇1 420 C 1 1 4 TYRunout B-side stamped / etched variant 2
SPAN+P+1+A timtom - cbs ORLAKERunout A-side etched
SPAN+P+1+B ORLAKE TYRunout B-side etched
SPAN P1ALabel side-A
SPAN P1BLabel side-B
SPAN 1A 420 PA
SPAN 1B ▽ 1 420 P 11 5B
SPAN 1 A 420 P 1 1 timtom-cbsA side runout, stamped/etched
SPAN 1 B 1 ▽ 420 P 11 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Brazil | Chrysalis 101.8272First year7" | 7" |
| 1983 | Canada | Chrysalis CHS 2720First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | Chrysalis CHS 42720First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | Chrysalis CHS 2720First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Chrysalis CHS 2720First year7" | 7" |
| 1983 | El Salvador | Dicesa CHR-07First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | El Salvador | Dicesa CHR-07First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1983 | Europe | Chrysalis 105.380 / Chrysalis 105 380-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Chrysalis 600 875First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Europe | Chrysalis 105.380 / Chrysalis 105 380First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Chrysalis 105.380 / Chrysalis 105 380-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Europe | Chrysalis 600 875First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Chrysalis 105.380 / Chrysalis 105 380-1007", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Chrysalis 600 875First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Misprint |
| 1983 | France | Chrysalis 105 3807", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | UK | Chrysalis CHS 123793 / Chrysalis 323793612", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1991 | UK | Chrysalis CHS 3793 / Chrysalis 32379377", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | 19Box Recordings 3798812", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| ? | Panama | Chrysalis CHR-077", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | Russia | Not On LabelFlexi-disc, 5", Unofficial Release · Unofficial | Flexi-disc, 5", Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | Chrysalis SPANX 112", 45 RPM, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Reissue |
68 vinyl pressings of True are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1983 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australia, Japan and more. One of them is Reformation SPAN 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SPAN 1, SPANX 1, SPANP 1, Span 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SPAN 1 A 420 P 1 1 TimTom-cbs and SPAN 1 B 1 ▽ 420 P 11 2 1. 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.
