Vinyl pressings
by Stewart Copeland · 1985
The Rhythmatist was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 11 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.
395 XXX 084 -1 S 1 = 2 320 A 1Runout side A, variant 1
395 084 -1 S 2 320 1 ARunout side B, variant 1
395 XXX 084 -1 S 1 = 2 320 1 BRunout side A, variant 2
395 084 -1 S 2 320 1 ERunout side B, variant 2
395 XXX 084 -1 S 1 = 2 320 M IA side stamped
395 084 -1 S 2 320 M IB side stamped
AMA 5084 A/2 420H
AMA 5084 B/3 420H
AMSP 05084-A RCA3 . [℗ A&M trumpet I A3] BSide A runout etched [stamped], variant 1
AMSP 05084-A RCA2 .. [I A2] HSide B runout etched [stamped], variant 1
AMSP 05084-A RCA3 . ℗ [A&M trumpet] I Λ1 IRunout A, etched exc. ℗ [A&M trumpet] I Λ1, stamped, variant 2
AMSP 05084-A RCA2 .. I Λ3 ERunout B, etched exc. I Λ3, stamped, variant 2
AMSP 05084-A ES1 EmwSide One Etched
AMSP 05084-B ES1 EmwSide Two 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | A&M Records 20.662First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | Festival Records L 38455First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Brazil | A&M Records 170.100First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | A&M Records SP-5084First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | A&M Records 395 084-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | A&M Records 395 084-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | A&M Records 395 084-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | A&M Records 395 084-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1985 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28124First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28124First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | South Africa | A&M Records AMLS 65084First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Taiwan | A&M Studios SP 5084First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | A&M Records AMA 5084First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | A&M Records SP-5084First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | A&M Records SP-5084First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Worldwide | Demon Records DEMREC1336LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-5084LP, Album | LP, Album |
19 vinyl pressings of The Rhythmatist are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1985 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Germany, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records 395 084-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 395 084-1, AMA 5084, SP-5084, L 38455) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 395 XXX 084 -1 S 1 = 2 320 A 1 and 395 084 -1 S 2 320 1 A. 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.
