Vinyl pressings
by Stephen Bishop · 1976
Careless was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 12 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.
S AB-954-A Ⓑ 7Side A runout etched - variant 1
S AB-954-B ① 7Side B runout etched - variant 1
1S AB-954 AS-1B A 17Side A runout etched - variant 2
1S AB-954 BS -1B C 12Side B runout etched - variant 2
P AB-954-A ⑦Runout A, variant 1
P AB-954-B ④Runout B, variant 1
P ABCD 954 AS XRunout A, variant 2
P ABCD 954 BSRunout B, variant 2
T2 AB-954-A 2Side A Etched
T2 ABCD 954 BS-2Side B Etched
T1 AB-954-A 2(in circle) [A]Side A Variant 2: Etched, [Stamped]
T2 ABCD 954 BS-2Side B Variant 2: Etched, [Stamped]
ABCD 954 ASEtched on side A
ABCD 954 BSEtched on side B
ABCD-954-ALabel Matrix Side A
ABCD-954-BLabel Matrix Side B
AB 954 AEtched Label Matrix Side A
AB 954 BEtched Label Matrix Side B
P ABCD 954 AS XRunout side A etch; P stamp
P ABCD 954 BSRunout side B etch; P stamp
ABCD-954-ASide A Label
ABCD-954-BSide B Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Argentina | MCA Records 83910First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Australia | ABC Records ABCD-954First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | ABC Records 9022-954 / ABC Records 9022-954First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | ABC Records MAB-954First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | ABC Records 68.047First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | ABC Records 28 337 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Greece | ABC Records ABCD 954First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Malaysia | ABC Records ABCD-954First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Philippines | ABC Records ABC-1105First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Portugal | ABC Records MP-9.055 / Movieplay MP-9.055First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1976 | Spain | ABC Records LP-0154 / Mediterraneo LP-0154First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | ABC Records ABCL 5201First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | ABC Records ABCL 5201 / ABC Records ABCD 954First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | ABC Records ABCD-954First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | ABC Records ABCD-954LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-4048 / MCA Records ABCD 954LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | UK | MCA Records ABCL 5201LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | UK | Fame FA 3033LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Japan | MCA Records P-5931LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCL 1616LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
35 vinyl pressings of Careless are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1976 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is ABC Records ABCD-954.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ABCD-954, AB-954, ABCL 5201, 83910) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S AB-954-A Ⓑ 7 and S AB-954-B ① 7. 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.
