Vinyl pressings
by Split Enz · 1980
True Colours 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.
74 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 19 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.
SMX55649 MM-31738-AS MCA Sh 8A2 2Runout Side A, Hand-etched
SMX55650 MM-31738-BS 8A 25Runout Side B, Hand-etched
SMX55649Label Side A
SMX55650Label Side B
SMX 55649 MM-31738-AS MCASh 8ASide A
SMX 55650 MM-31738-BS 8ASide B
40 SMX55649 MM-31738-AS MCA Sh 8ASide A, runout, etched
27 SMX55650 MM-31738-BS 8ASide B, runout, etched
SMX55649Label A
SMX55650Label B
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 | Argentina | A&M Records 20.176First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Mushroom L37167 / Mushroom L 37167First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Mushroom L37167 / Mushroom L 37167First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Mushroom L37167 / Mushroom L 37167First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Mushroom L37167 / Mushroom L 37167First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Mushroom L37167First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Mushroom L37167First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Mushroom L37167 / Mushroom L 37167First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Mushroom L37167 / Mushroom L 37167First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Australia | Mushroom L37167 / Mushroom L 37167LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Australia | Mushroom L37167 / Mushroom L 37167First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Mushroom L37167 / Mushroom L 37167First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | Australia | Mushroom L37167 / Mushroom L 37167LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4822First yearLP, Album, Etched | LP, Album, Etched |
| 1980 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4822 / A&M Records SP-4822First yearLP, Album, Etched | LP, Album, Etched |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Australia | Warner Music Australia 5419707416LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2020 | Australia | Warner Music Australia 5419707416LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 2020 | Australia | Warner Music Australia 5419707419LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 2020 | Australia | Warner Music Australia 5419707417LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2020 | Australia & New Zealand | Warner Music 5419707418LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2020 | Australia & New Zealand | Warner Music Australia 5419707420LP, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Stereo · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Stereo · Limited, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Mushroom L37167LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Australia | Mushroom L37167 / Mushroom L 37167LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | Mushroom L37167 / Mushroom L 37167LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | Mushroom L37167 / Mushroom L 37167LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | A&M Records 393 235-1🅈LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | New Zealand | Mushroom L37167LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
92 vinyl pressings of True Colours are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1980 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in Australia, UK, US, Argentina and more. One of them is Mushroom L37167.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use L37167, AMLH 64822, AMLH 68422, SP-4822) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SMX55649 MM-31738-AS MCA Sh 8A2 2 and SMX55650 MM-31738-BS 8A 25. 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.
