Vinyl pressings
by The Alan Parsons Project · 1988
The Instrumental Works was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 10 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.
#2 AL-8487 SA SP DMM STERLING SP 2-1 SP-HRMSide A Runout Etched
#1 AL-8487 SB SP DMM SP 2-2 STERLINGSide B Runout Etched
AL 8487-SASide A Label
AL 8487-SBSide B Label
B-32206 SP-DMM AL 8487 SA SPDMM STERLING SP2-4 SP-AR Δ 21734-X o-Side 1 Etching (Variant 2)
B-32207-SP-DMM AL 8487 SB SPDMM STERLING SP-AR Δ 21734-X o-Side 2 Etching (Variant 2)
AL-8487-SASide 1 Label
AL-8487-SBSide 2 Label
AL 8487 SA-SPDMM STERLING SP1-2Side A Runout Etched
AL 8487 SB-SPDMM STERLING SP1-4Side B Runout Etched
AL 8487-SASide A Label
AL 8487-SBSide B Label
140.8052-ASide A
140.8052-BSide B
AL8487-A JW CRSide A runout
AL.8487-B #2 CRSIde B runout
AL-8487-ASide A label
AL-8487-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | Arista VPL1 7594First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Brazil | Arista 1408052First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Canada | Arista AL-8487First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Europe | Arista 209 237First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Greece | Arista 74034First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1988 | Israel | Arista BAN 259237First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Mexico | Arista LA - 816First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Spain | Arista 5C 209237First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Arista AL-8487First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | US | Arista AL-8487LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1988 | US | Arista AL-8487First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | US | Arista AL-8487First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Venezuela | Arista 7862First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
13 vinyl pressings of The Instrumental Works are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Arista AL-8487.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL-8487, VPL1 7594, 1408052, 209 237) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, #2 AL-8487 SA SP DMM STERLING SP 2-1 SP-HRM and #1 AL-8487 SB SP DMM SP 2-2 STERLING. 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.
