Vinyl pressings
by The Alan Parsons Project · 1987
Gaudi was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
29 pressings came out in 1987, 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.
AL 8448 5A B-2 ▻A-Side Runout Groove (Variant 1)
AL 8448 SB RCA 5 ◅B-Side Runout Groove (Variant 1)
STERLING AL 8 448 SA RCA 3A-side Runout Groove (Variant 2)
STERLING AL 8 448 SB RCA 5B-side Runout Groove (Variant 2)
AL-8 448 SA ES2 EMW STERLING TJSide A
AL-8448 SB ES 4 EMW STERLING TJSide B
AL 8 448 SA RCA 3Side A Etching
AL 8 448 SB RCA 5Side B Etching
STERLINGBoth Sides Stamped
AL-8448 SASide A Label
AL 8 448 SA RCA 3 A1 L I STERLINGVar. 1, Side A Runout
AL 8 448 SB RCA 5 A2 F I STERLINGVar. 1, Side B Runout
AL 8-448 A A3 A1M I STERLINGVar. 2, Side A Runout
AL 8 448 SB RCA A2D I STERLINGVar. 2, Side B Runout
DM 208084 A-1/11-86Runout side A, variant 1
DM 208084 B-1/11-86Runout side B, variant 1
DM 208084 A-1/11-86 IIRunout side A, variant 2
DM 208084 B-1/11-86 IIRunout side B, variant 2
AL-8448 SAA label
AL-8448 SBB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | Arista TLP-80014First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Argentina | Arista TLP-80014First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Argentina | Arista TLP-80014LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Australia & New Zealand | Arista VPL1 7567First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australia & New Zealand | Arista VPL1 7567First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | Arista 130.8001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | Arista 130.8001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Arista AL-8448First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Arista AL-8448LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Colombia | Arista 28(0131)00012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Greece | Arista VG 60056First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Guatemala | Arista 258 084First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Israel | Arista BAN 208084First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Italy | Arista 208 084 / Arista 208 084-8First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Italy | Arista 208 084First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | USSR | Мелодия С60 27787 000LP, Album, Repress · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Repress · Colored vinyl |
| 1990 | USSR | Мелодия C60 27787 000LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1990 | USSR | Мелодия C60 27787 000LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1990 | USSR | ВПО "Фирма Мелодия" С60 2778712", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP631 / Arista MOVLP631LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Arista 210 171LP, Album | LP, Album |
55 vinyl pressings of Gaudi are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1987 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, Europe, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is Arista AL-8448.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL-8448, 208 084, 28RS-17, TLP-80014) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 8448 5A B-2 ▻ and AL 8448 SB RCA 5 ◅. 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.
